Hello and welcome to this tour of our maternity facilities at Antrim Area Hospital. When you enter the hospital at the front door you will be situated on Level B. Our first stop is the Maternity Outpatients Department (OPD4) on Level A.
The Maternity Outpatients Department hosts several of our antenatal clinics, while additional clinics are located in various geographical areas of the trust, including Mid Ulster Hospital, Causeway Hospital, Ballymena, Larne and Whiteabbey.
Antenatal care is delivered by our committed team, which includes admin staff, midwives, doctors, nurses, senior nursing auxiliaries and maternity support workers. The department also provides a range of specialised antenatal clinics designed for women with unique care needs, such as those with multiple pregnancies or diabetes.
We operate as a multidisciplinary team, facilitating both midwifery and obstetric clinics. Certain Anomaly Scans are conducted here as well, as in other outpatient departments across the trust. Additionally, our outpatient department serves as a venue for various antenatal education classes, including Pregnancy Yoga, getting ready for baby, breastfeeding and multiples workshops. On the same corridor as the Outpatients department you will find Day Obstetric Unit. The Day Obstetric Unit is a facility that allows for closer monitoring during your pregnancy or following birth, should you happen to experience any non-urgent concerns. You will be assessed by a midwife, and in some cases a doctor will review your care.
We need to take the stairs or the lift to Level C and we will arrive at the Maternity unit which is located across from the open seating area. You will need to press the buzzer system to gain entry to the unit. The Emergency Obstetric Unit is open 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. You can contact after 20 weeks gestation, for any urgent concerns you have regarding your pregnancy, or your unborn baby’s wellbeing. Sometimes you will be referred to the unit by your midwife or doctor, depending on the circumstances.
The EOU operates a triage system so you will be seen in order of priority. When you come in to give birth the EOU is the first place you will come to meet the midwives who will assess how your labour is progressing. The midwife will then discuss with you your needs and plan your care around where you need to be.
If you are in the early stages of labour, you may spend some time in the Maternity Ward before being transferred to our Birthing Suites. The Maternity ward has 29 beds – with four 6 bedded bays and five side rooms.
During this time, our Midwives will monitor you and discuss the various birthing options and choices available to you. After the birth of your baby, you will be transferred to the Maternity Ward to recover and receive support from our dedicated team, which includes midwives, doctors, students, midwife support workers, healthcare assistants and other support staff.
Our midwives and midwife support workers will assist you in caring for your baby, offering guidance on feeding choices and facilitating any parenting education you may need. For babies who need extra assistance, our transitional care team, made up of midwives, neonatal nurse practitioners, and paediatricians, is available to provide support in the Maternity Ward. The Maternity Ward is also equipped to provide inpatient care if you encounter any complications during your pregnancy or after giving birth that require a hospital admission. However, if your baby needs more specialised attention, our 24-hour paediatric team will evaluate their needs and may transfer them to the on-site Neonatal Unit for additional care.
The Birthing suites are on the main corridor on Level C beside the Neonatal unit. Our facility features seven birthing rooms, each equipped with ensuite facilities to ensure your privacy and dignity. We offer a birthing pool, a bath, and several showers to support water therapy during labour and birth. To create a serene atmosphere, we can provide ambient lighting, ceiling projectors, Bluetooth speakers, birthing balls and mats, and affirmation cards.
During established labour, you will receive personalised one-on-one support from a midwife. Additionally, many of our midwives are trained in hypnobirthing techniques, which you are encouraged to utilise throughout your birthing experience. You will also be supported in adopting various birthing positions to facilitate the smooth passage of your baby through the birth canal.
If you need induction, we have a six-bedded Induction Unit where you will meet with the midwives upon admission to go over your care plan and the induction process. You can also access birthing aids in the induction bay.
If a caesarean section is needed, whether it’s planned or unplanned, it can take place in the maternity theatre located in the birthing suites, or sometimes in the hospital’s Day Surgery Unit or main theatre.
We hope you have enjoyed this virtual tour of our Maternity facilities at Antrim Area Hospital – we look forward to meeting you and feel privileged to care for you at this special time.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to your named midwife