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After baby is born you will be moved to one of our comfortable postnatal rooms. Your birth partner is welcome to stay with you and baby 24 hours a day.

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Triage 0208 216 4408 (24 hours)

Online self referral: https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/services/services-a-z/maternity-services/#tab-referrals

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This really depends on your individual circumstances. Some families are ready to go home within several hours of the birth, especially if it is not your first baby. In some cases a mum or baby may require additional observations so are advised to stay longer. We also recommend that you feel confident about baby's feeding before being discharged home, feeding support is offered throughout your stay.

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Welcome to Barnet Birth Centre. Part of the Royal Free, we are a midwifery led birthing centre within Barnet Hospital, offering labour and postnatal care to women with straightforward pregnancies.

We have 5 birthing rooms, 3 with birthing pools, like in the photo above. We also have 3 individual postnatal rooms where you can stay for care and feeding support, until you and your baby are ready to be discharged home.

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Here are some links you may find useful:

https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/services/services-a-z/maternity-services/choosing-where-to-have-your-baby/

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/signs-of-labour/signs-that-labour-has-begun/

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/preparing-for-the-birth/pack-your-bag-for-labour/

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/what-happens/pain-relief-in-labour/

https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/services/services-a-z/maternity-services/talking-your-language/

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we've had to make some important changes to our maternity services to help keep you and our staff safe.
Please read our dedicated COVID-19 advice page which provides the latest information about our maternity services.
Having a baby is an important event for women and their families. We aim to ensure that the whole childbirth experience is comfortable and relaxed.

If you are healthy and your pregnancy is straightforward the evidence says you should give birth at home or in a birth centre. Giving birth at home or in a birth centre is as safe for your baby as giving birth in hospital. Giving birth at home or in a birth centre also has many benefits for you.

You're significantly less likely to have:

an emergency Caesarean section

ventouse or forceps delivery

an episiotomy

blood transfusion.

You're significantly more likely to have:

a normal birth

to be able to use water for labour and birth

have a better birth experience.

To find out more talk to our midwives or visit the Which? Birth Choice website.

Where can I have my baby?

Evidence says that if you are healthy and your pregnancy has been uncomplicated, you should plan to give birth at home or in a birth centre.

At the Royal Free London we have three birth centres, the Barnet Birth Centre, the Edgware Birth Centre and the Heath Birth Centre. If you are planning to give birth in a birth centre, you can discuss which birth centre is most appropriate with your midwife.

For further information, read our patient information leafet: Choosing where to have your baby.

Women or babies experiencing complications during pregnancy or labour, or women who have medical problems requiring specialist care, are advised to give birth in a consultant-led delivery suite. At the Royal Free London we have two consultant-led delivery suites, one at Barnet Hospital and one at the Royal Free Hospital. You can discuss which suite is most appropriate with your midwife.

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Please read our dedicated COVID-19 advice page which provides the latest information about our maternity services. Having a baby is an important event for women and their families. We aim to ensure that the whole childbirth experience is comfortable and relaxed.

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Our midwifery led unit (MLU) is run by midwives and maternity support workers provides, and women and birthing people with an uncomplicated pregnancy a "home from home" type environment to birth their baby. Many women can labour and give birth without any medical intervention and enjoy the calm safe environment Barnet Birth Centre provides. Each room is spacious and equipment such as bean bags, birthing balls, peanut ball and birthing stools are available.

The consultant led unit is one floor below, so if any medical assistance is required it is straightforward to transfer.

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Pain relief options include:
Water
Entonox (gas and air)
Pethidine injection
(If you require an epidural you would be transferred to delivery suite)

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All low risk women will be encouraged to have their babies in a midwifery led setting. You don't need to do anything, if you attend triage at Barnet Hospital in labour the triage midwife will automatically direct you to BBC if suitable.

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I am Henny, a midwife of 25 years.

I have now been working on the birth centre for 7 years, but have also worked on Labour Ward and the antenatal ward.

My passion is to empower women and their partners to achieve the low risk birth they are looking for. I am also passionate supporting women with breastfeeding.

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Advantages of giving birth at a birth centre

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Advantages of giving birth at a birth centre

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You are more likely to have a normal birth

You are more likely to have access to a birthing pool to labour or birth

You are less likely to need intervention

You are less likely to have vaginal or perineal tears

You are more likely to be satisfied with your care

You are less likely to need pain relieving drugs for labour

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The newborn hearing screen and newborn infant physical examination will be offered to you prior to going home, see the link below for further information.
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/newborn-screening/overview/

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Your newborn baby will be offered some screening tests in their first 6 to 8 weeks.

Why newborn screening is offered

Most babies are healthy and will not have any of the conditions the newborn screening tests are looking for.

But for those babies who do have a health problem, the benefits of screening can be enormous.

Early treatment can improve their health and prevent severe disability or even death.

The screening tests are quick and simple, and will not harm your baby in any way.

It's recommended that your baby has the tests, but you can decline them if you wish.

Newborn physical examination

Every baby is offered a thorough physical examination soon after birth to check their eyes, heart, hips and, in boys, testicles.

This is to identify babies who may have conditions that need further testing or treatment.

The examination is carried out within 72 hours of birth and then again at 6 to 8 weeks of age, as some conditions can take a while to develop.
Find out more about the newborn physical examination

Newborn hearing screening

The newborn hearing test is done soon after your baby is born.

If you give birth in hospital, you may be offered the test before you and your baby are discharged.

Otherwise, it will be done by your health visitor or another healthcare professional within the first few weeks.
Find out more about the newborn hearing test

Newborn blood spot (heel prick) test

The newborn blood spot test involves taking a small sample of your baby's blood to check it for 9 rare but serious health conditions.

When your baby is about 5 days old, a healthcare professional will prick your baby's heel and collect a few drops of blood on a special card. This is sent off for testing.

The heel prick may be uncomfortable and your baby may cry, but it's all over very quickly.
Find out more about the newborn blood spot test

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Your newborn baby will be offered some screening tests in their first 6 to 8 weeks. Most babies are healthy and will not have any of the conditions the newborn screening tests are looking for. But for those babies who do have a health problem, the benefits of screening can be enormous.

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Your midwife will talk to you about infant feeding throughout your pregnancy, and it will also be covered in antenatal classes  if you choose to do these.  Once baby is born you will be given lots of support with feeding your baby so you feel confident before going home. All women and birthing people are encouraged to do skin to skin with baby immediately after birth which has lots of amazing benefits.

https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/maximising-breastmilk-video/

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In this video, we explore how best to support new mothers with feeding.

Exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months ensures the best outcomes for babies, and mothers need support to get this off to the best start. Ongoing help with positioning, attachment and skin-to-skin contact help mothers to maintain their milk supply and avoids disruption to breastfeeding.

If mothers wish to bottle feed, the impact on milk supply should be discussed so that they can make informed choices. A sensitive, non-judgmental approach is key.

For more information:

Problems viewing this video? Contact us.

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Maximising breastmilk video - Baby Friendly Initiative

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In this video, we explore how best to support new mothers with feeding, including positioning, attachment and skin-to-skin contact.

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http://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/files.royalfree.nhs.uk/Patient_resources/Maternity/NCLH_Your_postnatal_maternity_guide_2020_(external).pdf

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I have worked as a midwifery assistant for 37 years and absolutely love my role. I love helping with breast feeding support and spoiling new mums. I enjoy being part of the BBC team and get on well with my colleagues.  Outside of work, I also help run a community garden support group for children and adults with additional needs called plant pots and wellies.  If I can make a difference to anybody's experience having a baby I go home with a smile on my face!

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http://ratenhs.uk/wz85df

North Central London Maternity Services are currently working to improve the pelvic health care that you receive from the NHS during and after pregnancy. Pelvic health problems may include leaking of urine (pee) and/or stool (poo), prolapse (bulging or swelling), injuries and infection in the area between the vagina and anus, pelvic girdle pain (pain in the pelvic area and/or back) and abdominal rectus diastasis (tummy muscle separation).

To make sure that the care we offer meets your needs, we would like to hear about your experiences and your suggestions for improvement. The results of this survey will be used by your local service to understand what we are doing right and how we can improve.

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North Central London Maternity Services are currently working to improve the pelvic health care that you receive from the NHS during and after pregnancy. Pelvic health problems may include leaking of urine (pee) and/or stool (poo), prolapse (bulging or swelling), injuries and infection in the area b…

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My name is Lois,I'm Ghanaian. I've worked at barnet hospital for almost 5 years. I love my job, seeing the faces of  parents meeting their newborn still makes me a little emotional. I'm a Sunday school teacher. In my free time I love going out to try new foods.