Giving birth at William Harvey Hospital, Kent

If you decide to have a hospital birth at WHH you have two options;

If you are fit, healthy and have a low-risk pregnancy, you can give birth on the Midwifery Led Unit (Singleton). This unit is run by midwives but is located within the WHH. It has great facilities that support a natural, hypnobirthing experience such as birthing balls, birth pools, private facilities and equipment to support upright birth positions (which we know are important for birth).

Your second option is the Consultant Led Unit (labour ward) still located within the WHH not far from the Singleton unit. This is for high-risk pregnancies and anyone being induced or who would like an epidural. There is not a birth pool on the labour ward so this is something to bear in mind if you would like a water birth.

It is important to note that the Singleton Unit can be closed at times due to staff shortages and you can no longer request a tour.

If you fall under the Maidstone catchment area your care will be under Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells Hospital (Pembury Hospital). You will receive the same care as mentioned above however, their birth centre is at a seperate location at Maidstone Birth Centre.