Maternity services tour videos
Take a look at our new maternity tour videos on our YouTube channel, guiding you round our Labour Ward, Birthing Unit, antenatal services, postnatal ward and sharing more information about infant feeding and examinations. Created in partnership with West Essex Maternity Voice Partnership in response to your feedback.
Welcome and introduction
Welcome from Guiseppe Labriola, director of midwifery
Antenatal services
Labour Ward
Birthing Unit and infant feeding
Postnatal care, Samson Ward and newborn/infant physical examinations
Early Pregnancy Unit
The Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) provides care and support for women up to 22 weeks gestation who may be experiencing problems in their pregnancy.
Possible symptoms include:
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Bleeding
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Abdominal cramps
Such symptoms may, or may well not, be signs of a problem with your pregnancy.
Please note that you must have an appointment to attend the EPU.
Location
The Princess Alexandra Hospital
Lower ground floor, Zone A, location A46
Contact
01279 82 7107 or 01279 44 44 55 x 2025 between the hours of 10am-4pm.
We are open from Monday to Friday, 9am-4pm. EPU closes at 4pm and is closed on bank holidays.
Birth Centre
Our Birth Centre offers a warm, friendly and home-like environment for healthy pregnant women and birthing people.
All of our birthing rooms are equipped with birthing aids such as fixed birthing pools, birth stools, a sling and birthing balls to encourage an active labour.
We also provide a range pain relief of options to support you during your labour, including the use of a birth pool, gas and air, and Diamorphine.
Epidurals are not available to use for pain relief within the Birth Centre.
If you have experienced complications during your pregnancy, we would recommend that you give birth to your baby in the Labour Ward.
If you would like to give birth in the Birth Centre or would like further information, please discuss your options with your midwife.
Location
The Birth Centre is located on the ground floor within the maternity unit.
Visiting hours (from 7 September 2023)
- Two birth partners allowed whilst the woman/birthing person is in labout
- One adult visitor allowed 24-hours a day. This does not need to be a birth partner, but must be an adult
- Family time: Siblings of newborn babies can visit between 2-5pm every day. They must be accompanied by an adul
Contact details
01279 82 7176
Maternity triage service
The maternity triage service is available for women and birthing people who are more than 22 weeks pregnant or up until 14 days after the birth of their baby and have pregnancy related concerns.
Our specialist team of midwives are on hand to provide expert care and offer advice 24 hours a day, seven days per week, both at the maternity triage unit and via the telephone helpline. We aim to see people within 15 minutes of arrival for an initial review and assessment.
It’s so important that women and birthing people with pregnancy related concerns such as abdominal pain, leaking of fluid, or changes in their baby’s movements, can seek the appropriate advice and follow up care as soon as possible.
Contact details
01279 82 7286
We recommend that women and birthing people contact the maternity triage helpline before attending the hospital, so that our team can advise accordingly.
Location
The maternity triage service can be found on the lower ground floor, zone A, location A40
Opening times
24 hours a day, seven days per week.
Labour Ward
Our Labour Ward is where you and your baby will be cared for during your labour and birth.
If you have experienced complications during pregnancy, it is likely that you will give birth in the Labour Ward; however, you can still choose to have your baby in the Labour Ward if you have not experienced complications during your pregnancy.
We have a dedicated team available to support you and nine comfortable and relaxing rooms, including a separate room should you present any high risk factors during your labour, and a birthing pool room.
All of our birthing rooms are equipped with birthing aids such a birth balls, stools and bean bags to encourage an active labour.
We also provide a full range pain relief of options to support you during your labour, including gas and air, diamorphine, and an epidural.
Location
The Labour Ward is located on the ground floor within the maternity unit.
Visiting hours (from 7 September 2023):
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Two birth partners allowed whilst the woman/birthing person is in labour
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One visitor allowed in the recovery area
Contact details
01279 97 3203 or 01279 97 3142
Samson Ward
Samson Ward is a postnatal ward.
Location
The Princess Alexandra Hospital
Zone A, A36
Visiting hours (from 7 September 2023)
- One adult visitor allowed 24-hours a day
- Family time: Siblings of newborn babies can visit between 2-5pm every day. They must be accompanied by an adult
- To avoid crowding, a maximum of three visitors are allowed at the bedside
Mealtimes
Breakfast: 7am
Lunch: 12-1pm
Dinner: 5-6pm
Contact telephone number
01279 827108
Ward manager
Olivia King
Chamberlen Ward
Chamberlen Ward an antenatal ward designed to provide pre-labour high risk care.
Location
The Princess Alexandra Hospital
Lower ground floor, Zone A, location A39.
Visiting hours (from 7 September 2023)
- One adult visitor allowed 24-hours a day
- Family time: Siblings of newborn babies can visit between 2-5pm every day. They must be accompanied by an adult
- To avoid crowding, a maximum of three visitors are allowed at the bedside
Mealtimes
Breakfast: 7-8am
Lunch: 12-1pm
Dinner: 5-5.30pm
Contact
01279 82 7109
Ward manager
Caroline Nelson