Maternity

Congratulations on your pregnancy.

Did you know you can self-refer into the maternity service by clicking the following link:

Self-Referral form

If you can’t access the link, and live in Sandwell, please contact your local children’s centre (family hubs) by clicking the following link sandwell.gov.uk/kb5/sandwell or your GP. If you live in Birmingham, please contact your GP.

You're pregnant - congratulations!

Having a baby can be an exciting and scary time. No matter what the circumstances of your pregnancy, you can be assured of the very best of care. Our maternity services help women reach informed decisions about their care throughout their pregnancy.

Maternity care is generally divided into two categories:

  • Low risk care is offered where any previous births and general health have been problem-free. Expecting mothers are managed throughout their pregnancies by midwives.
  • Combined care is provided where a medical condition exists that may need additional monitoring. Care is shared between a midwife and a consultant obstetrician (a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and childbirth).

All women and their families will be treated with kindness, respect and dignity. The views, beliefs and values of women, their partners and family in relation to their care and that of their babies will be sought and respected at all times.

We offer a wide range of services to meet individual needs. This includes interpreters for women whose first language is not English. 

Choosing where to have your baby

Having a baby is a natural event in life, and you should consider giving birth where you feel most comfortable and in control. You may find it helpful to talk to your midwife, or to other parents and support groups.

It’s important that you feel as relaxed as possible when you give birth, as the pain can feel worse if you are tense or anxious. When you have your baby in hospital you may use rooms with home-like surroundings or bring pillows or other items to make you feel more comfortable.

 

Visiting times and arrangements

There will be some changes to our usual pattern of visiting whilst we settle into our new environment.

 Ward/Area Visiting arrangements
Delivery Suite 2 birth partners – anytime visiting
Serenity 2 birth partners – anytime visiting
A4 – postnatal ward 9am – 8pm

1 birth partner

2pm – 8pm

1 additional birth partner and siblings

C4 – antenatal ward 9am – 8pm

1 birth partner

2pm – 8pm

1 additional birth partner and siblings

Neonatal Unit 24/7 visiting

Parents or support person

9am – 9pm

Siblings accompanied by parents


Patient Information

We are providing a single point of access for all maternity referrals in the in Sandwell and West Birmingham area. The aim is to make sure you have access to the right care from day one. We will triage your referral based on the information you provide and the hospital will contact you to start your antenatal care. In the meantime if you are worried about your pregnancy, please tell your GP straight away.


Screening tests for you and your baby (STFYAYB) – via GOV.UK

This discusses which tests are available during pregnancy and after your baby has been born. Screening tests are always a choice.

English versionEnglish video, hardcoded subtitles version and British Sign Language video.

Also available in: Arabic (video), Bengali (video), Chinese (video), French (video), Latvian (video), Lithuanian (video), Polish (video), Portuguese (video), Punjabi (video), Romanian (video), Somali (video), Urdu (video)

Our leaflets are now available in other languages, please click on the links provided below to read the leaflets in your preferred language:


Contact Us

If you experience bleeding whilst pregnant, under 16 weeks of pregnancy please call your GP or 111 if out of hours. In an emergency attend A&E.

After 16 weeks of pregnancy you can call delivery suite triage on 0121 507 4181.

To contact a midwife for any other urgent advice call:

Maternity Triage, Midland Metropolitan University Hospital: 0121  507 4181 (open 24 hours a day, seven days a week)

See below for all other enquiries:

  • Community midwifery:  0121 507 3774
  • Self-referrals: 0121 507 3675/4918
  • Midland Metropolitan University Hospital switchboard: 0121 554 3801

For general advice about your care, contact your named community midwife. You will be given their contact details early in your pregnancy.