The Lothian Birth Centre is an alongside midwifery-led maternity unit at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh near the Simpson’s Maternity Unit. It offers a ‘home away from home’ environment to women and birthing people.
As a midwife-led unit, we have a robust support mechanism to ensure gold standard safe maternity care. We are the experts in low-risk maternity care and work in partnership with medical staff when required. If support from the obstetric or anaesthetic team is required, a quick transfer to the Labour Ward is possible.
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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 alongside midwifery-led unit is located in the same hospital as an obstetric unit. If support from the obstetric or anaesthetic team is required, a quick transfer to the Labour Ward is possible.
Is the Lothian Birth Centre the right choice for me?
With NHS Lothian, you have the option to give birth in the Lothian Birth Centre whether you live in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian or West Lothian. The birth centre is recommended if you had a straightforward pregnancy and no medical complications. However, the Charge Midwife will be happy to discuss individual circumstances and prepare a personal care plan for anyone who wishes to give birth in the Birth Centre.
Click here for more details on recommended circumstances for the Birth Centre.
- You have a straightforward pregnancy
- Your baby has developed normally and is head down
- Your waters break and are clear
- Your placenta is in the normal place for birth
- Your blood pressure is normal, and your urine is free from protein
- You are 37-42 weeks into your pregnancy
- Your BMI is within the normal range at the start of your pregnancy
- You are between 16-40 years of age
- You are not anaemic (iron level is more than 100g/dl)
- You ideally start your labour spontaneously (should you need to be induced and need no more additional help, the midwifery unit is still an option for you as long as you are less than 42 weeks pregnant)
What does the Evidence Say?
According to research from the Birthplace study (2011), midwife-led units appear to be safe for the baby and offer benefits for women with an uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancy. The study looked at the safety of different places of birth for healthy women with straightforward pregnancies. Click the items on the list below for additional information.
Midwifery-led units are safe for straightforward pregnancies.
The Lothian Birth Centre was designed with and for the families who use it. We know that a safe and relaxing atmosphere helps during labour. The birth centre offers a “home from home” environment to women/birthing people who are having a straightforward pregnancy and are without pre-existing medical conditions. For births in midwife-led units there were no significant differences in outcomes for the baby compared with births in an obstetric unit.
Birth Centres have lower rates for interventions during labour and birth.
The rates for interventions during labour and birth – including assisted birth and caesarean birth – are significantly lower than for women who gave birth in an obstetric unit, in particular for women without complications at the start of labour.
During labour and after birth, there is a possibility of transfer to the labour ward.
Transfer rates for first-time mothers were 40% – this can be due to complications during labour or after birth or for requests for further pain relief. Transfer rates for mothers having their second or subsequent baby were 12%. In some cases, when there are concerns for yourself or your baby, they may recommend a transfer to the labour ward (obstetric unit) nearby. This will be discussed with you so that you understand the reasons and can make an informed decision. The neonatal unit is also nearby in case your baby needs any additional care.
What should I expect if I deliver at the Birth Centre?
Being in a comfortable, home-like environment may help you to relax more and feel in control, which can help the progress of your labour. The midwifery team are committed to supporting labouring women and birthing persons in a holistic way. They provide one-to-one care that focuses on each individual’s preferences for birth.
Click for more details on what you can expect at the Birth Centre.
Each room is laid out to provide a safe, intimate space. We encourage you to make the room your own by adjusting lights and sounds. We offer large mats and bean bags, space to mobilise, ballet bars to support you and birthing balls.
The midwives caring for you during labour and birth will keep a close eye on you and your baby, ensuring they adhere to your personal preferences as highlighted in your birth plan or by discussing them with you as your labour progresses.
Lothian Birth Centre Facilities
- Six birth rooms – all with a birthing pool and ensuite facilities (toilet and walk-in shower with seat).
- Each room has birthing aids such as birthing balls, peanut balls, floor mats and ballet barres.
- The bed can be moved into a variety of positions.
- Should your baby require assistance at birth there is a resuscitaire in the room.
Birth Centre Pain Relief Options
We offer various forms of pain relief, including aromatherapy oils, TENS machines, the birthing pool, gas and air (Entonox) and sterile water injections.
Epidural analgesia is not available in the birth centre but you can start labouring in the birth centre and transfer at any time to the labour ward, should you wish to access this form of pain relief.
Find more information about pain relief during labour here.
Meal, Snack and Drink Options
Staff will provide you with cool water and light snacks. You can also bring your own favourite snacks to sustain you during your labour. There is a choice of ready-made meals kept in the kitchen fridge that can be heated up for you by the staff.
Should your birth partner need food or drink, there is a shop and a café open during daytime hours (in the atrium at the main entrance to the hospital). There are also vending machines around the hospital.
After your baby is born
Learn more about your new baby’s care and needs here.
- After you have had your baby, you will spend the first few hours being cared for by the midwives in your room.
- The midwives are trained to check that everything is fine with your baby (examination of the new-born) and this can be done before you leave.
- When the time is right and appropriate for you and your baby, you will normally be able to go straight home.
- If there is any further monitoring or support recommended for you or your baby you will be transferred to the 4-bedded postnatal bay in the Birth Centre for ongoing care.
Finding the Lothian Birth Centre
The Lothian Birth Centre is located at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH6 4SA) near the Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health.
When you arrive: Follow the signs to the Lothian Birth Centre. When you arrive at the entrance to the Birth Centre, please ring the bell located to the right-hand side of the door and a member of the team will come and greet you.
Parking: You can park in the small drop off area near the entrance for a short while and move your car later to the closest car park (car park 1G). Parking is currently free.
