Maternity services
We deliver around 4,000 babies every year in our modern, well-equipped maternity unit, part of the women's and children's directorate.
Changes to Maternity Visiting policy
Labour Ward/Birthing Unit
Women admitted to labour ward/Midwifery Led Birthing Unit to
have one birth partner accompanying for assessment. To remain with
woman during birth.
Women admitted to Labour Ward for reasons outside of Labour can
have one person with them during admission.
Antenatal
Women coming in for Induction of Labour (IOL) to have a birth
partner attend for start of IOL procedure and then return home
To be called back if women is transferred to Labour Ward or if
contracting and needs support during this time.
Visiting on Anti Natal ward for all inpatients to be commenced
2hrs in the afternoon/evening. Staggered times arranged per bed
number.
Only one visitor each session and this need to be a consistent
visitor. Same visiting applied to antenatal patients who remain on
Labour ward.
Partners accompanying for scans to continue as currently in
place.
Due to the current pandemic we have been unable to offer
pregnant women any antenatal education classes.
We have been asked by many expectant mums if we had a list of
essential items they should bring with them when they go into
labour and come to the hospital. We have put together this sheet of information for women
that you might find useful.
Postnatal
Visiting to be increased from 1hr in the afternoon/evening to
2hrs. Staggered times depending on bed numbers.
Same visiting applied to Post Natal patients who remain on
Labour ward.
All visitors to have details taken and temp checks on arrival
and to wear face masks unless in a delivery room.
Staff at Southend University Hospital maternity service are
committed to providing high quality maternity care for women and
their families during pregnancy, labour and after the birth of
their baby.
We support women to have a choice of birthplace, as
this has been shown to have a positive effect on the birth
experience. The choice of a home birth or birth in our
midwife led birth unit will routinely be offered to women
with a straight forward pregnancy ( no known
complications that may affect pregnancy and the birth).
If your pregnancy is not straightforward, it is recommended
that, to meet your individual needs you have your baby in our
delivery suite.
Our maternity services support care both in the community and
the hospital. Generally this is for women who live in the Southend
and Castle Point areas, however, we do also welcome women from
outside these boroughs.
If you wish to book for maternity care with us, please refer
yourself today by using the link below.
Please note that the Maternity Voices Partnership will be
relaunched shortly, and we will provide details when they have been
confirmed.