The labour ward (also called obstetric unit) is run by a team of midwives, consultant obstetricians, maternity care assistants and clinical support workers who provide one-to-one care and support throughout your labour and in the early hours following the birth of your baby.
The labour ward at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (RIE) is the largest in the Lothians. Each year, we support around 6,000 births. Midwives provide direct care to all women during their stay in the labour ward with access and support from medical staff around decision making and performing certain procedures.
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A straightforward pregnancy means you do not have any known complications that may affect your pregnancy and the birth. Scroll down for information on complications and recommendations for birth centre delivery.
An obstetric unit provides on-site access to specialist services such as obstetricians and operating theatres, as well as specialist neonatal and anaesthetic care.
Is the labour ward at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh the right choice for me?
The labour ward is often the place of birth recommended to women who have certain complications in their current and/or previous pregnancies and will require additional monitoring or support. An onsite team of anaesthetists ensures that women who know they wish to have an epidural during labour will have access to this service.
Giving birth on the labour ward is also recommended when it is known the baby will require additional support or care at birth. If you have any significant factors which can make labour and birth more complex for you and your baby, your midwife or doctor will recommend that you give birth in an obstetric unit. This will be discussed with you so you understand the risks and benefits and can make a decision based on your personal preferences.
What does the Evidence Say?
In the 2011 Birthplace Study, which looked at the safety of different places of birth for healthy women with straightforward pregnancies, the rates for interventions during labour and birth – including episiotomy, assisted birth and caesarean birth – were significantly higher for women who gave birth in an obstetric unit, including for women without complicating conditions at the start of care in labour.
Rates of assisted birth for straightforward pregnancies are low, but slightly higher among births in obstetric units.
7% of women with an uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancy who gave birth in an obstetric unit had an assisted birth. This rate was 5% for women giving birth in an alongside midwife-led unit and 2% for those giving birth at home.
Rates of cesarean birth for straightforward pregnancies are low, but higher among births in obstetric units.
11% of women with an uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancy giving birth in an obstetric unit had a caesarean birth. This rate was 4% for women giving birth in an alongside midwife-led unit and 3% for those giving birth at home.
What should I expect if I deliver at the Labour Ward?
In NHS Lothian there are two obstetric units (also called labour wards). One at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and one at St John’s Hospital in Livingston.
Labour wards offer a whole range of medical facilities, although the environment is made to feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. When you are in labour you will be cared for one-to-one by a midwife. A team of obstetric doctors and anaesthetists will be on hand and can be called for assistance if required.
If I think I am in labour, when do I call?
You will be asked for your details and a brief account of your present situation and given advice as to what to do next.
Call the Labour Line at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at 0131 242 2672 if you:
- If you think you are in labour or that your waters have gone
- You are over 37 weeks pregnant
- You have booked to have your baby at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
If you have an emergency of a life-threatening nature, call 999 for an emergency ambulance.
Learn more about what to expect at the labour ward here.
If you have any significant factors which can make labour and birth more complex for you and your baby, your midwife or doctor will recommend that you give birth in an obstetric unit. This will be discussed with you so that you understand the reasons (risks and benefits) and can make a decision based on your personal preferences.
RIE Labour Ward Facilities
Watch a video tour of the RIE Labour Ward here.
The Labour Ward has thirteen birth rooms and a full range of birth aids and monitoring equipment. Click here for more details.
- There are thirteen birth rooms available with ensuite facilities.
- 2 of the birth rooms have a birthing pool.
- The beds are fully adaptable with a choice of multiple positions.
- Access to birthing aids such as birthing balls, peanut balls and mats should you wish to use these. If you’d prefer to bring your own birthing ball, you are welcome to do so.
- Each birth room has access to a full range of monitoring equipment for you and your baby during your labour and birth (if required).
- There are two obstetrics operating theatres.
- Should your baby require assistance at birth there is a resuscitaire in each room.
Labour Ward Pain Relief Options
There is a full range of pain relief options available to you. Including; aromatherapy oils, gas and air (Entonox), morphine injection, remifentanil and epidural.
Meal, Snack and Drink Options
We will provide you with cool water and light snacks. You can also bring your own favourite snacks to sustain you during your labour.
Should your birth partner need food or drink, there is a small supermarket and a café open during daytime hours (in the main atrium of the hospital). There are also vending machines around the hospital.
After your baby is born
After you have had your baby, you will spend the first few hours being cared for by the midwives in your room on the labour ward. After that time, you and your baby will be transferred to the postnatal ward for ongoing care.
Dads and partners can stay on the postnatal ward to support the mother at all times, including overnight. However, it is important to know that meals are not provided for them and there are no beds or showering facilities for partners on the postnatal ward.
If your baby needs specialist care they will be looked after in the Neonatal Unit.
You can contact the postnatal wards via phone.
Contact Ward 211 at 0131 242 2111
Contact Ward 119 at 0131 242 1194
Finding the RIE Labour Ward
The Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health is located at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH6 4SA.)
The closest parking is 1G. You may use the drop-off zone in front of Triage and then go and park. Parking is currently free.
If you have an emergency of a life-threatening nature, call 999 for an emergency ambulance.
Contact details can be found here.
If you are over 37 weeks pregnant and you think you are in labour or your waters have broken, call RIE – Labour Line (24hrs) 0131 242 2672
If you are less than 12 weeks pregnant and are concerned about abdominal pain or bleeding, call the RIE – Pregnancy Support Centre 0131 242 2438
If you are over 12 weeks pregnant and have urgent health concerns requiring same day assessment (vaginal bleeding or reduced movements of your baby) call RIE – Triage (24hrs) 0131 242 2657
