OUR DEPARTMENTS

Maternity

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.

Our services include:

  • Antenatal clinic
    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 also available on site, for example with HIV services.

    Blood testing and Physiotherapy services are available within the department.

    Obstetric ultrasound is carried out in the main ultrasound department (this is in the main part of the hospital) with the dating scan service carried out in the Antenatal clinic.

  • Delivery Suite
    This consists of  nine single delivery rooms, a four-bedded bay for high risk inductions, two high dependency rooms and two obstetric theatres.

  • Magnolia Ward
    This ward includes the Day Assessment Unit  and five amenity rooms.

  • Lilac Birth Centre
    This offers a home-from-home environment for low-risk births. 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. 

    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
    Undertakes antenatal, booking and postnatal clinics in GP surgeries, health centres and children centres.

  • Mulberry Ward
    This is a 24-bedded postnatal ward consisting of five four-bedded bays with four single rooms.

  • Maple Ward
    This is a 20-bedded antenatal ward consisting of six four-bedded bays with four single rooms.

How to contact us

  • Antenatal Clinic
    Antenatal appointments(Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm)

020 8539 5522 ext: 5732
  • Ultrasound appointments

020 8539 5522 ext: 5573
  • Community Midwifery Service (24hrs)

020 8558 0234
  • Magnolia ward (Day Assessment Unit & Forest Suite)

020 8539 5522 ext: 5395
  • Maple ward (Antenatal ward)

020 8539 5522 ext: 5067
  • Mulberry ward (Postnatal ward)

020 8539 5522 ext: 5489
  • Delivery Suite

020 8593 5522 ext: 5052
  • Lilac Birth centre

020 8535 6924

Where to find us

  • The Maternity building is in the Purple Zone. Nearest access is the James Lane entrance to the hospital.
  • Antenatal Clinic
    Located on the ground floor of the Maternity building in the Purple Zone.

  • Delivery Suite
    Located on the ground floor of the Maternity building in the Purple Zone.

  • Magnolia Ward (including Day Assessment Unit and Amenity Rooms)
    Located on the first floor of the Maternity building in the Purple Zone.
  • Lilac Birth Centre
    Located on the first floor of the Maternity building in the Purple Zone.

  • Community Midwifery Service
    Located on the first floor of the Maternity building in the Purple Zone.
  • Mulberry Ward
    Located on the second floor of the Maternity building in the Purple Zone.
  • Maple Ward
    Located on the second floor of the Maternity building in the Purple Zone.

How to find us

For more information on how to find these locations or how to get the hospital please look under our 'Where to find us section'.

Opening Times

  • Antenatal Clinic

9am - 5pm
Monday to Friday
  • Day Assessment Unit

9am - 9pm
  • Maple ward
    Restrictions:
    Two adult visitors per patient
    Only patient's children allowed

8.00am to 8.00pm
For husbands and partners

2.30pm to 8.00pm
For relatives/ friends

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.

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.

How to get treatment

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.

Documents to download

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.

Files