Advice on layout of new Midwife Led Unit

[Clothnappymum1]

Hi,
I am normally found on the nappy board, but thought you'd have some good ideas here for me?
I would love some suggestions/advice please.
My local hospital does not have a birthing unit, it has an antenatal dept, but all births have to travel to another town.
My local hospital is getting re-vamped, to include a Midwife Led Unit. The ward sister has asked me along to some meetings to discuss the layout of the new unit.
I'm meeting with the architects this week to discuss the plans, so she has asked me to come up with some suggestions.
So far we have come up with :
Separate entrance for labouring women with private lift.
Separate car park with ability for labouring mums to be brought to the door, and whoever has brought them can go back and move the car once she is settled.
WRVS volunteers to 'babysit' the childrens play area.
Plenty of toilets
Baths for labouring
Laundry facilities for nappies

Now I'm stuck, can't think of anything else other than general cleanliness and decent food!
Any suggestions greatly received,

Do you mean just layout or content as such? My local birth centre didnt have hospital beds but normal beds and it made it very homely.

Will there be birth pool/s?

A crushed ice machine in the corridor/waiting area.

Birthing pools, or large baths at the very least, in as many rooms as possible.

Curtains inside doors to labour rooms to maintain privacy as people enter/exit room.

Car park should be free, or pay on exit, so dads don't risk missing the birth by going to put money in the meter.

Seats in the showers, non-slip floors.

Very good security

Other equipment available - birthing stools, balls in a variety of sizes, cd players, tv.

Depending on the views outside, one way glass in the windows so people can look out without compromising privacy.

A bathroom off each delivery room with loo, big bath, etc.

That's it really.

Oh, and good idea about the carport drop off.

yeah layout and content. I'm of the opinion if we don't ask, we don't get.
I think there will be 1 birth pool.
Normal beds sound lovely.

Obviously speedly lift to doctors in case of emergency.

In the (wonderful) one at the whittington they have:

double beds (not hospital beds)
pools (5 out of 6 rooms)
en suites to each room
flat screen tvs (although this is kind of bizarre)

For me it was the birthpool and the proximity of back up that were the big draw.

They also had, next to the lift, an area with proper emergency equipment. The rooms had some, but it was hidden away so you didn't see, for example, a tray of scary implements.

There is a picture [[
www.whittington.nhs.uk/default.asp?c=8159 here]].

The rooms are big enough for you to prowl about and contain a birthting stool, beanbags, (iirc) one of those hammock things to lean on, so you don't need to get on the bed at all. I seem to remember that one room is equipped for disabled people with a different bathroom.

Can you maybe go and see some other units?

Will gas and air be provided? If so, make sure the feed lines are very long, or in multiple locations so the woman is free to move about. Particularly important that it can reach the pool as tens machines can't be used there!!

For the dads, reclining armchairs (think Joey's chair in Friends). Some of them will be there for a long time!

I really really wish they would do one around here but here are a few of my suggestions as well as what others have said:

Equipment to play music- either CD or MP3 etc.

Drinks station in rooms.

A reclining chair for dad/partner to have a rest/40 winks during longer labours.

Anyone who is 'looking after' children in a play area needs to be CRB checked I would imagine.

A shop that stocks snacks or a cafe that provides some hot meals.

Phone booth and an area to get some change.

NO clocks! Isn't it essential for the MW to note time of birth.

And she can't wear a watch with her hands so near your fanjo...

No magnolia Walls , they depress me!

"The environment is better timeless"

Are you one of Dr Who's assistants?!

And I found a safe pair of hands just near my fanjo was pretty useful when DC1 came shooting out.

My unit has two operating theatres and the anaesthetists only work on that unit. Therefore it's very fast to get you into theatre and you can always get an epidural if you need one.
All medical equipment is hidden away inside cupboards and only comes out when needed. Birthing balls etc in every

Comfortable seating areas in waiting areas in the unit. Sofas and soft chairs, so that friends, birth partners and relatives can be comfortable and able to rest during long labours.

My arms were being very useful in bearing most of my weight whilst standing up and leaning over on them.

If I'd taken them away I'd have fallen over.

Onto a clock.

foldaway beds so a bed is not the first thing you see when you go in the room
hidden resus equipment

think about how gas and air can be used in bathrooms if the pool is going to be in there (might need more ventilation and long lines)

let dads stay over in the room - one room for delivery and post delivery so no moving onto ward, dads can stay as well