11 October 2018
The option of labour and delivery in a birthing pool in the Maternity Unit has now been reinstated following the temporary withdrawal of the service earlier this year. Water births were re-introduced last week. So far this year, 20 pool births have taken place at the Hospital.
Water births at Jersey General Hospital were suspended in July because of safety concerns after a very small number of recent water births resulted in babies requiring additional post-natal care.
The guidelines have now been refreshed, particularly relating to health and safety when women need to be helped out of the pool.
Midwives who work with women in birthing pools have received refresher training in case a woman in labour needs to be lifted from the pool in an emergency. In August, a consultant midwife from the UK was invited to visit the Maternity Unit to do a quality assurance check of the internal review processes. This check was satisfactory.
Women who wish to use the pool either for labour or delivery will be individually assessed as to their suitability for this birthing option. This is routine practice. A request for a water birth is always discussed in detail, as with any labour or birthing choice.
Head of Midwifery, Julie Mycock, said: “We are pleased to be able to offer water births again to expectant mums. Safety has to be our number one priority, and in any situation where there’s concern, it’s sensible to check our processes to ensure they are robust. We look forward to welcoming expectant mums to Maternity, however they choose to give birth.”
If anyone has queries about any birthing option, this can be discussed with your midwife or you can contact Julie Mycock, Head of Midwifery via the Hospital switchboard on +44(0)1534 442 000.
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