Labour Ward
Our Labour Ward is ideal for women and birthing people who want to experience the birth of their baby with one-to-one support from a midwife with the support of obstetric doctors if needed.
You may prefer to give birth in our Labour Ward if you:
- Had complications in pregnancy
- Want to give birth with the support of our obstetric doctors and midwives
- Want the option of an epidural
Care is individually tailored to your needs and we offer a range of specialist equipment including birthing pools, mats, bean bags, stools and balls in our delivery rooms. Birthing pools are available for a water birth or to make you comfortable during labour. Labouring and giving birth in water can help you to relax, provide support to move around easily and relieve pain.
Watch our Labour Ward room tour below or on Vimeo to find out more.
Labour Ward Room Tour from Whittington Health NHS Trust on Vimeo.
What we offer
Our Labour Ward offers:
- One to one midwifery care
- Active birth without medical intervention unless needed
- Direct access to obstetric doctors if your labour becomes complicated
- Direct access to anaesthetists (who will help you to choose the appropriate pain relief in labour, such as an epidural)
- Caesarean birth, if needed or if chosen by you
After birth you and your baby will stay with our team on Labour Ward before moving to our postnatal ward (Cellier). Before discharge, you will be seen by a midwife or doctor to assess your baby. We will prepare you for discharge once you and baby are ready, this can be any time from 6 hours after birth. If you have had surgery or a medical issue, you may stay longer in hospital.
While you are with us we can answer any questions you might have and support you with feeding and caring for your baby.
When you go home you are transferred to the care of our community midwives.
Pain relief options
Women and birthing people who choose our Labour Ward have a range of pain relief therapies available to them including:
- Water
- Gas and air (Entonox - a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas)
- Massage
- Complementary therapies such as hypnobirthing
- TENS machine (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
- Diamorphine injection (into the muscle of your thigh or buttock)
- Epidural
Obstetric assistance
If you have chosen to have your baby at home or in our Birth Centre and you require assistance from our obstetric team, you may be transferred to our Labour Ward. Your midwife will discuss this with you if they feel it is appropriate.
Some of the common reasons for being transferred to our Labour Ward include:
Some of the common reasons for being transferred to our Labour Ward include:
- Asking for an epidural
- Labour is longer than expected
- Meconium (when baby passes their first stool in their water)
- Fetal distress (when baby is unhappy in labour)
- Your doctor or midwife may recommend that you give birth in hospital if are expecting twins or if your baby is in breech (lying feet first). If you would still like to birth at home or in the Birth Centre, your midwife can refer you to the Consultant Midwife to make a personalised plan.
Labour Ward team
Arinola Erinle - Matron
Location
Labour Ward
Level 3 - Kenwood Wing
Whittington Hospital
Magdala Avenue
London N19 5NF
Contact
If you are in labour please contact Maternity Triage.
If you need to speak to our Matron, call Arinola Erinle on 020 7288 3935.
Contact
If you are in labour please contact Maternity Triage.
If you need to speak to our Matron, call Arinola Erinle on 020 7288 3935.
Last updated27 Mar 2025