MLBC

Our Midwifery Led Birthing Centre is located in South Tyneside. The Midwifery Led Birthing Centre is located on the ground floor of South Tyneside Hospital which can be accessed via the maternity entrance. Easily accessible from both the John Reid Road and Harton Lane.

South Tyneside Hospital

Harton Lane

South Shields

NE34 0P

Important Notice

Births at the Midwifery Led Birthing Centre (MLBC) at South Tyneside District Hospital remain suspended due to increased number of Midwifery vacancies. Work is ongoing to support recruitment and retention.

Parent education classes, antenatal and community midwife appointmets are still held at the MLBC.

Our midwifery-led birthing centre will provide a relaxing ‘home from home’ birthing experience. The centre is for women with low risk pregnancies who have not had any complications. 

Our Midwifery Led Birthing Centre is open 24/7. It is run by our team of experienced midwives who will offer a comfortable, relaxed and friendly environment for women and families. This is perfect for women who would like to have a natural birth with the least intervention from our teams.

The Midwifery Led Birthing Centre provides a calm, welcoming and relaxing atmosphere with one-to-one personalised care. Birthing partners are also welcome to stay in our en-suite birthing rooms during and after the birth of your baby, until you choose to go home, which is usually within 12 to 24 hours.

At our Midwifery-Led Birthing Centre we have…

• Two large Birthing Rooms
• One large Birthing Pool Room
• Three Postnatal Rooms
• Birthing balls and floor mats
• Movable beds 

Transfer is where you and/or your baby will be taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital via ambulance with by your midwife. The reason for transfer and any risks will be discussed fully with you and your birthing partners. In an emergency your birthing partner may not be able to go with you in the ambulance but this will be facilitated where ever possible. If it is not possible your birthing partner to travel in the ambulance hospital taxi can be provided. 

The chance of needing a transfer from a Midwifery Led Birthing Center to a consultant led maternity unit within the United Kingdom is on average 20%. Transfer times can be 30 to 60mins from the time a decision is made at the MLBC to the point of your arrival on the delivery suite at our maternity unit at Sunderland.

Your partner, friend or relative can support you during labour, but don’t worry if you don’t have a partner – your midwife will give you all the support you need. Birthing partners are encouraged to bring their own provisions such as snacks and can go out of the Maternity Unit for refreshments if they need to.