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,

Thanks everyone, some really great ideas here. Love the ideas about the living room, normal beds, comfy chairs, wee kitchen area, drink facilities. Lets hope they take some of these ideas on board. It should be similar to the MLU at the not so local hospital so all wooden, homely etc.
And luckily the parking is free :)
Thanks again ladies.

I second double beds or 3-sided cots for the babies. Also something - anything - which is Not A Bed to encourage squatting, kneeling etc positions.

I know people have said not hospital beds and I agree, but at our local hospital the midwives make up the bed in the birth pool room into an armchair sort of shape which is fantastic for kneeling on, and encourages you NOT to lie down, flat on your back as soon as you enter the room! And can be turned into a bed if the mum wants.

Ooh Starlight, I think that's the pool I used with DS :)

'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.'

Sorry that really made me giggle!

Why, thank you PeppaPig.

Glad one other person in the whole world understood my sense of humour.

Now, must remind DH to take his watch off before getting jiggy with it.

Because we like to be timeless when we're in the zone.

I used one of those birthing pools starlight it was great. really big and the seat bits were very handy, as were the sturdy handles.

Hot water bottles utterly fantastic and simple to supply. Beanbags and cushions very useful too(I found I liked labouring near or on the floor almost all the time). The lighting was also important to me.. side lamps/ambient lighting helped me feel less observed and therefore free to do what I needed to. A normal dining chair was great for me to rest on the back of if I was upright during a contraction. Other than that, I found one of the greatest favours the hospital staff did when I was in hos was to always, ALWAYS knock before they came in, it's surprising how many don't. (also had problems with students sneaking in). Beyond these kinds of things, it always helps a labouring mum feel more comfy is she's encouraged to bring other things in of her own to help her feel safe (e.g. own duvet/pillow etc).

ask for things that will be given. Things like individual parking and lifts will not be possible if you are sharing a site with anyone else. volunteer babysitters - also never going to happen. don't let planners hget hung up on 'unreasonable' demands.

sorry but clocks are indeed important - maybe not ticking away at the foot of the bed though.

Double beds -although at the side of the room, not in the middle.

a sofa

pool or massive bath in each room

entonox in multiple points in every room

kitchen/diner area

dimmer switches on the lights

different birth aids like balls, stools, ropes etc

emergency equipment hidden away in cupboards.

access to a garden area would be nice. (call it the lady garden!)

dedicated, enthusiastic, committed midwives who won't be poached to staff the obstetric unit and postnatal ward - closing the MLU.

Sofa or lazyboy for dads to sleep

Living room, they had one at my hospital and it was great for me as my ward neighbours shut the curtains, then I was moved to a side room so I was alone so it would have been quite isolating without the living room. It was strictly no men allowed so good for learning to bf. I was in for a while but got moved to paediatrics and I had to go up to maternity when ds was about 3 weeks old and I wasn't allowed in. Its nice when everyone is either a mw or has just given birth, you feel less self conscious.

FOOD. A facility to store and microwave your own food and an actual meal when you have given birth. I was starving. I'm not suggesting replacing the tea and toast, just adding to it.

Rope swing hanging from ceiling for labouring - or at least a strong enough ceiling to support such a contraption/s at later date.

Got some info on my blog-
deverra.blogspot.com/
Selina