Our birth centre in Cheltenham is run by midwives and has been specially designed to ensure your journey to parenthood is as smooth as possible.

Perfect for women whose pregnancies are considered to be ‘low risk’, all five en-suite birthing rooms are equipped with the tools to promote a natural delivery, from birthing balls and cushions to music and low lighting. From March 2011 we will also offer two birth pools to enable you to deliver your baby in water if you prefer.

Research has shown that women who plan to give birth in a midwifery-led birth unit are more likely to have a natural delivery with fewer medical interventions. Experiencing a normal birth and feeling happy as a result will help you start the postnatal period feeling fit and well-prepared to look after your new baby.

The centre is run by experienced midwives who are there to provide care and support for you and your birthing partner(s) during and after your labour. In addition, the Cheltenham Birth Centre is one of only a handful in the UK which provides aromatherapy for women in labour – an innovative and effective method of relieving pain or anxiety and a non-invasive, natural way to progress your labour.

And once your labour is over, you won’t be moved to a ward - you and your baby can get to know each other in the room where you delivered.

Our midwives are fully trained to provide pain relief such as Entenox (gas and air) and Pethidine. If you wish to have an epidural, if you develop complications and need to see a doctor, or if your baby requires specialist treatment, you and your baby will need to be transferred to our delivery suite at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. In these circumstances, your midwife would accompany you for the 15 minute journey (depending on traffic) in an ambulance.

If you are considered to be at increased risk of complications, either at the beginning of your pregnancy, as your pregnancy develops or during labour, your midwife or doctor may advise against giving birth in a midwifery-led unit.

Our facilities

• Birthing pools
• Aromatherapy service
• En-suite, ‘home-from-home’ birthing rooms, all equipped to support active, natural labour
• One-to-one midwife care

Take a look around the centre with our virtual tour