The Maternity Unit at Dorset County Hospital has a happy, friendly atmosphere, with enthusiastic midwives, doctors and maternity care assistants. You will be assured of the warmest welcome if you come here for the birth of your baby.
Seven, large, en-suite birth rooms
The Cranberry Team
We are really excited to announce the launch of The Cranberry team, a team of midwives covering the North Dorset area who will provide continuity to women throughout their maternity journey.
Expectant mothers will be seen by the same midwife and maternity support worker throughout their pregnancy and will be invited to attend “Meet The Midwife” sessions in order to meet the rest of the team. This means that when labour occurs, women will have met the midwife looking after her.
This initiative isn’t new and historically midwives worked in this way for years before maternity services evolved. By returning to this model of care women get to know their midwife more personally and build a relationship of trust prior to welcoming their baby.
The area covered spans from Blandford to beyond Sturminster Netwton which means that anyone who is pregnant in that area will be invited to be part of The Cranberry team.
In addition to Meet the Midwives, women and their chosen birth supporters will be given the opportunity to attend informal discussions around birth and parenthood, this will also offer an opportunity to meet other parents who live locally.
We are all very excited about this new venture and our shared vision is to continually improve the way in which maternity services are delivered.
Who can give birth here?
The Maternity Unit is consultant-led and caters for low and high-risk mums. Mum will be cared for by midwives with medical facilities and doctors on hand if extra support is needed.
Pain Relief Options
Birth Facilities
There is a dedicated theatre for maternity cases located on the unit.
More about Dorset County Hospital Maternity Unit
For mums that need extra care, the maternity unit has 24-hour obstetrician support, along with anaesthetists should you choose to have an epidural.
If your baby has any medical issues following the birth, neonatologists and paediatric staff are available at all times.
We have a dedicated Infant Feeding Team to help you with feeding while you are staying with us. However, all staff are trained to help you feed your baby and we have full BFI accreditation.
After the birth
Provision for partners staying overnight
Partners are not guaranteed to be able to stay overnight, but due to the number of single rooms this can be accommodated in most circumstances
Partners can stay on the postnatal ward on a reclining chair if a single room is available
Your stay after you’ve given birth
You will usually stay in the same the same room throughout your stay
Women who’ve had an uncomplicated birth usually stay for 6- 24 hours after the birth
Contact and visitor information
Contact information
Maternity reception telephone number: 01305 254267
Main hospital telephone number: 01305 251150
If in labour telephone: 0300 369 0388
Visitor information
Partners
No restriction (subject to agreeing to comply with privacy and dignity rules)
Vending machines and outlets can provide hot drinks and snacks for partners
Day room with tea and coffee making facilities
Your own children
08:00 – 22:00
Friends and family
14:00 – 19:00
Flowers and plants are not permitted on the maternity ward.
Car parking
Women in labour
Drop off outside entrance maximum 20 minutes stay
Partner and visitor
£1.70 per hour (coins only)
Parking permits available
Free road parking is available in some of the surrounding streets for a limited time period.
Other useful information
Accessibility
Wheelchair access to the wards and delivery suite
Limited mobility: you will have a plan of care arranged antenatally. You can be taken on a visit to the maternity unit before labour so you identify potential difficulties. There are facilities for your partner to stay.
Hearing problems: you will have a plan of care arranged antenatally. There are facilities for your partner to stay.
Sight problems: guide dogs allowed in the building you will have a plan of care arranged antenatally. You can be taken on a visit to the maternity unit before labour so you identify potential difficulties. There are facilities for your partner to stay.
Learning disabilities: you will have a plan of care arranged antenatally. You can be taken on a visit to the maternity unit before labour so you identify potential difficulties. There are facilities for your partner to stay.
Autism spectrum: you will have a plan of care arranged antenatally. You can be taken on a visit to the maternity unit before labour so you identify potential difficulties. There are facilities for your partner to stay.
Interpreting service
We book an interpreter to attend appointments
Specialist midwifery terms
Antenatal screening
Bereavement
Diabetes
Infant feeding
Perinatal mental health
Stop smoking
Teenage pregnancy
Multiple birth
Dedicated homebirth team
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