Whipps Cross University Hospital

What we do

The service provides full maternity care for  women who deliver at Whipps Cross University Hospital and at home in the borough of Waltham Forest. Currently one per cent of births in this area take place at home.

Bookings for women within the borough are carried out by the Community Midwives, with out of area bookings undertaken within the hospital Antenatal Clinic.

Antenatal care is community based for all women with uncomplicated pregnancies.  Midwives and GPs have direct referral access to consultant clinics and the Day Assessment Unit should complications occur.

The Maternity unit offers a home-from-home environment for low-risk births in its Lilac Birth Centre.  Women can choose to give birth in a room free from machinery or in one of the birthing pools (depending on availability).  The emphasis of the unit is on creating a natural environment to promote a stress-free birth. 

Service Location

The Maternity building is near the James Lane entrance, in the Purple Zone. View location map of hospital

Antenatal Clinic

Situated on the ground floor, providing consultant led antenatal clinics with Consultant Diabetologist and team, Consultant Anaesthetic clinic and Consultant Haematologist each attending one session per week. Links with other specialist services are available on site, eg HIV.

Phlebotomy and Physiotherapy services are available within the department. Obstetric ultrasound is carried out in the main ultrasound department with the dating scan service carried out in the Antenatal clinic.

Delivery Suite

On the ground floor; consists of  nine single delivery rooms, a four-bedded bay for high risk inductions, two high dependency rooms and two obstetric theatres.

Magnolia Ward

Situated on first floor; includes the Day Assessment Unit (which operates from 9am to 9pm).

Amenity Rooms

There are five of these rooms located on Magnolia ward.

Lilac Birth Centre

There are five delivery rooms (two containing birthing pools) and a sensory room. There is a four-bedded bay which accommodates postnatal women.

Community Midwifery Service

The office is on the first floor, community midwives undertake antenatal, booking and postnatal clinics in GP surgeries, health centres and children centres.

Mulberry Ward

On the second floor; a 24-bedded postnatal ward consisting of five four-bedded bays with four single rooms.

Maple Ward

On the second floor; a 20-bedded antenatal ward consisting of six four-bedded bays with four single rooms.

Opening Times

The Maternity unit provides a 24 hour service. There is a security desk at the entrance to the Maternity unit and all visitors should report to security upon arrival.

Visiting times for Maple and Mulberry wards are:

Husbands and partners - 8.00am to 8.00pm

Visitors - 2.30pm to 8.00pm

Restrictions:

• Two adult visitors per patient
• Only patient's children allowed

There are tours of the maternity unit held every Sunday at 2pm. For anyone interested in having a tour of the unit they are advised to report to the security desk at the main entrance by 2pm.  There is no need to book  in advance.

Referral Information

Most women are usually referred to the service by their GP. For women that do not have a GP, please contact the community midwives on 020 8558 0234 (24hrs) who can arrange to do your booking. It is recommended that women have contact with the GP or midwife as early as possible in the pregnancy in order that important tests are not missed.

Further Information

Below are some of our leaflets which may be of use to women who have booked to have their baby at Whipps Cross University Hospital.

Please note that the files are formatted as folding leaflets - please print double-sided and fold down each margin.