Our midwives listen to, and value the choices of, pregnant people. Providing choice as part of a patient’s birthing plan is vital and thanks to our Trust charity, My Charity, we are pleased to have helped improve this pathway for expectant mothers with the installation of new birthing pools at Royal Sussex County and Princess Royal hospitals.
Water births are becoming increasingly common in the UK, with approximately 10% of mothers opting to deliver in a birthing pool each year. Water is a proven natural pain reliever; immersion in warm water during childbirth supports buoyancy, easing pressure on the spine and pelvis. This, in turn, reduces the need for stronger forms of pain relief during labour for many patients. What’s more, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence emphasises the importance of availability of birthing pools on maternity units.
With no birthing pool at Royal Sussex County and Princess Royal hospitals, choice was being limited for patients in our area. It was crucial that expectant mothers in Haywards Heath and Brighton and Hove be offered equal opportunities for their deliveries as others across the country. In partnership with the Dervia Foundation, My Charity was able to support this need by funding brand-new birthing pools, as well as newly installed floors suitable for water births and LED lighting and Bluetooth speakers. The contemporary rooms provide a calming environment and positive experience of childbirth.