Small Things Make a Big Difference – Improvements in an AMU

It is well known that the environment has an impact on a woman’s birthing experience, but in the financial constraints of the NHS it is almost impossible to make the vast improvements needed to enhance the experiences of... [ view full abstract ]

It is well known that the environment has an impact on a woman’s birthing experience, but in the financial constraints of the NHS it is almost impossible to make the vast improvements needed to enhance the experiences of women. At St George’s NHS trust, we have an alongside MLU which was unfortunately not performing as well as it could be, transfer rates were high and the environment was far from the spa like interiors of our neighbouring MLU’s.  

We have worked tirelessly over the past two years to make very small changes which have made a huge difference to the birth centre.  The environment has been improved by the goodwill of the staff working in the unit and some of their fantastic ideas.  Transfer rates have reduced from as much as 40% to less than 20% and the birth rate has more than doubled from having 30-40 births a month to on average 75 per month and increasing year on year.  Transfer rates are remaining low through training and open learning with the midwives, ensuring both midwives and women fully understand the physiology of labour and re-teaching the skills of normal birth. 

There are still further improvements which need to be made and there are plans in place for this but we are true to our philosophy:

“We believe that all women are unique.  By understanding this we can support your birth preferences and individualise care to suit your needs during childbirth.”

We believe all women have a choice and support many women in their preference to give birth on the birth centre by consulting with women who wish to have care outside the guidelines and working with them to make bespoke birth plans to support their wishes.  This is something which differentiates us from other MLU’s in the area and is another example of how we have made improvements to our birth centre.