Lothian Birth Centre

The Lothian Birth Centre is a midwifery-led maternity unit which opened in October 2011. It is a separate facility which sits alongside the maternity hospital at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

The Lothian Birth Centre was designed with and for the women, birthing people and families who use it. We know that a safe and relaxing atmosphere helps the hormones required during labour to work more effectively.

The birthing pool is carefully positioned in the room to create an area of nesting and nurturing which is so beneficial during labour. You can make the room your own by adjusting lights and sounds to create a safe and intimate space.

The equipment works for you and around you: large mats and bean bags, space to mobilise, ballet bars to support you and birthing balls.

As a midwife-led unit, we have a robust support mechanism to ensure we deliver gold standard safe maternity care. We are the experts in low-risk maternity care and work in partnership with medical staff if required.

” May we and our team extend a warm welcome to all. As midwives, we are passionate about our vocation and aim to place you at the centre of this journey. We will offer bespoke support tailored to your wishes, encouraging breathing, relaxation and positive affirmations. We are privileged to be part of your journey.”

The Charge Midwife and Deputy Charge Midwife.

What is an alongside midwifery-led unit?

This means the 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.

The Lothian Birth Centre is at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh near the Simpson’s Maternity Unit. The centre offers a ‘home from home’ environment to women and birthing people who are having a straightforward pregnancy and are without pre-existing medical conditions.

The Charge Midwife will be happy to consider personal circumstances and discuss options for anyone who wishes to give birth in the Birth Centre.

What facilities does the Lothian Birth Centre have?

• There are six birth rooms available. 
• All rooms have a birthing pool.
• All rooms have 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 should you wish to use these.
• The bed can be moved into a variety of positions to support you being active during your labour.
• The pain relief options available to you are: aromatherapy oils, TENS machines, the birthing pool, gas and air (Entonox) and sterile water injections.
• Should your baby require assistance at birth there is a resuscitaire in the room.

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 in the birth centre.
• 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 from the birth centre.
• 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 this ongoing care.

Useful to know

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.

Finding the Lothian Birth Centre

When arriving at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh follow the signs to the Lothian Birth Centre. 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.

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.