Acute Maternity Services Frequently Asked Questions

In March 2023, we concluded a public consultation seeking views on the transformation of our acute maternity services.  Following the consultation, we recommended that all hospital births should take place at Antrim Area Hospital.  This recommendation has been approved by Peter May, the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health.  Operationally, this will come into effect from 17 July 2023.  We strongly believe this is the best outcome for women and babies in our care.

1. Where can I get more information?

If you require more information, please speak with your midwife.

If you have an urgent concern regarding your pregnancy, please call the Emergency Obstetric Unit (EOU) at Antrim Area Hospital on 028 9442 4345.

If you are deaf and a sign language user you can use the Sign Video app – a free remote sign language interpreting service, search Sign Video in the app store.

Women who are currently booked to birth their baby in Causeway will receive individual  correspondence to advise them of the planned changes, the timeframes and how to contact services in Antrim.

2. When will Causeway Maternity Unit stop providing services for inpatients and hospital births?

Causeway Maternity Unit will stop providing services for inpatient and hospital births from midnight on Sunday 16 July 2023.

3. What should I do if I think I am in labour or I have an urgent concern about my pregnancy from 17 July?

If you are concerned about you or your baby’s wellbeing during this pregnancy, please contact the Emergency Obstetric Unit (EOU) in Antrim on 028 9442 4345.  This service is open 24/7 and a midwife can provide advice on where to get support.

If you think you are in labour, please contact the Emergency Obstetric Unit (EOU) in Antrim on 028 9442 4345 for advice regarding when you should come into Antrim Area Hospital.

Please do not attend Causeway Maternity Hub if you are in labour after midnight on 16 July 2023.  From 17 July 2023, women who go into labour will need to contact Emergency Obstetric Unit (EOU) on the Antrim site.

4. How will women with no access to transport get to Antrim to birth their baby – particularly in an emergency?

If it is an emergency or you think you can’t make it to Antrim for the birth of your baby, please ring the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) for an emergency transfer to the nearest acute Maternity Unit with inpatient and birth facilities.

For those women who do not have access to a private vehicle, the Trust will continue to make sure that the needs of each service user are fully assessed and that any special requirements are identified.

5. Where will I get my antenatal and postnatal care?

Local access to high quality antenatal and postnatal services are critical for women living in our communities. Causeway Maternity Hub will continue to provide antenatal clinics and work is in progress to enhance the range of antenatal clinics for women with complexity so that fewer women have to travel to Antrim for their antenatal care.

On discharge from hospital following the birth of your baby, postnatal care will be provided in your own home by the local community midwifery teams.  There will also be an option for you to attend a postnatal clinic appointment in the Causeway Maternity Hub, if this is clinically suitable and more convenient for you.

6. Can I choose to go to Altnagelvin or another hospital rather than Antrim?

Yes, you can choose to book, receive antenatal care and give birth in Altnagelvin or any other hospital.  However, if you prefer, the Northern Trust can still provide your antenatal care in Causeway Maternity Hub.

Postnatal care is normally provided by the community midwives within the locality of postcode, so if you live in the Northern Trust area then it will be Northern Trust midwives who provide your postnatal care.

7. Can a woman opt for a home birth and is this service available in Northern Trust?

Yes, the Northern Trust Maternity Services are committed to supporting women’s choice of place of birth and a personalised risk versus benefits discussion is held with women in relation to homebirth, if that is requested. Together with the woman and her family, midwives will provide an informed care plan based on individual circumstances, including distance to travel, if a transfer is required.  Women will be given as much evidence based information as possible for them to make an informed decision regarding her choice of place of birth.

8. What if I can’t get to Antrim Area Hospital in time for the birth of my baby?

From the consultation, we acknowledge that one of the concerns raised was the distance women may have to travel.

Individual discussions regarding when to come into hospital to birth their baby will be held with all women.  For those who live furthest away, advice will be given in relation to the onset of labour and to present to hospital sooner rather than later.

Births Before Arrival (BBAs) will happen in a small number of cases irrespective of where acute maternity services are based. The data tells us that these babies are generally low risk with positive outcomes.

9. Will additional birth numbers in Antrim lead to higher rates of intervention?

The Trust’s aim is to reduce the level of unnecessary intervention during childbirth (where appropriate) and this will be continuously and closely monitored.  Any intervention in pregnancy or during birth should have a clear clinical indication and any decision to intervene must be discussed with the women and consent given.  We will continue to offer the choice of a midwifery led pathway where clinically appropriate.