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Where can I choose to give birth?

Where you give birth is your choice and depends on your preferences, if there are any complications with your pregnancy and, in some cases, where you live. You can discuss your birth place options with your midwife at any time during your pregnancy.

With King’s, you can give birth:

If your pregnancy is straightforward (low-risk), we recommend you read either:

Midwifery-led suite, Nightingale Birth Centre

Our two midwife-led birthing rooms support birthing women and people who have had uncomplicated pregnancies to give birth in a comfortable environment where they can feel at home. Each room is designed to adapt to your personal requirements, giving you the control and support you need during labour and birth, including large spacious rooms, ensuite bathrooms, birthing pools, and calm lighting.

If you plan to give birth in a midwifery-led suite there is a lower chance of having an intervention during the birth, such as forceps or ventouse. However, if there are any problems during your labour, or you would like an epidural (which cannot be given on a midwife-led suite), you will be transferred to the Labour ward, which is just seconds away.

Doctor-led Labour ward, Nightingale Birth Centre

The Labour ward is particularly suitable if you need closer monitoring during labour. It is also suitable if you would like access to epidural pain relief. You will be cared for by midwives and obstetric doctors. A midwife will be assigned to you at all times, and during labour will be providing care to you only.

The ward has ten private birthing rooms, with ensuite bathrooms and facilities for an active birth, including mats and birthing balls.

One room on the Labour ward has a birthing pool. This is suitable if your labour needs extra monitoring and you also wish to use water. Telemetry machines provide wireless and waterproof monitoring, to record your baby’s heart rate continuously if needed. This can help you to stay mobile and to use the birthing pool while keeping your baby safe.

Our facilities also include two obstetric theatres for planned and emergency caesarean births, a three-bedded theatre recovery area, and a two-bedded high dependency area if you need extra monitoring or care after labour.

Our services are provided by a team of midwives (including students), doctors, anaesthetists, and maternity support workers 24 hours a day.

If your baby needs extra support after the birth, they will be transferred to the Neonatal Unit. This is next to Nightingale Birth Centre.

Home birth

Giving birth at home is a safe option if you have had an uncomplicated pregnancy and, in particular, if you have previously had a straightforward vaginal birth and you do not have any medical complexities.

See our Home birth page for more information

Some advantages of giving birth at home include:

  • giving birth in familiar surroundings where you may feel more relaxed and in control
  • you don’t have to travel once your labour has started in order to get to hospital
  • if you already have children it may be easier to arrange looking after them
  • a lower likelihood of interventions, such as forceps or ventouse, in healthy pregnancies

If a concern is detected during your home birth that means you need extra support, you will be transferred to hospital by ambulance.