Water births at North Tees

Hi, I’m due to give birth early July. I’ve always dreamed of a water birth (totally appreciate its completely circumstantial) but does anyone have or know of experiences with water births at North Tees and whether they’re likely to offer it as an option. Or any feedback on how they found North Tees in general. So far I’ve had positive experiences with my midwife appointments etc. I’m originally from Sunderland so anyone I know has given birth at Sunderland royal so feeling a little nervous that I don’t know anyone with any experience of births in general at North Tees x

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i ended up having an emergency section, but all the staff before after and in theatre were absolutely amazing, and so were the midwives x

I’ve wondered this for a little bit too. I’m due September though. I’d love a water birth but was unsure if that hospital even had the pools. I’m originally from South Shields, been here 2 n a bit years x

@Nic I’ve looked at the virtual tour online and it looks like they have one birthing pool room in North Tees from what I can see :) x

@Beth oh wow! Where did you find the virtual tour please? I’d love to have a look x

I gave birth at North Tees in April last year and I'm also from Sunderland / Durham area! If I remember rightly they have 1 pool. I asked for water birth when I went into labour and unfortunately i couldn't because the pool was out of use. I think she said they need to send a sample away every week to James Cook and when I went into labour they hadn't had the results back so couldn't let me use it. I was gutted! X

@Nic https://www.nth.nhs.uk/services/maternity/your-delivery-options/maternity-unit-birth-centre/ If you google north tees maternity the virtual tour is about half way down the page x

@Kay aww that’s such a shame. I know there’s slim chances of it being available at the time I’d need it so I’m not getting my hopes up xx

@Beth yeah definitely prepare for all eventualities but hopefully it's free! I got told by midwife to ask as soon as you get there and they can hopefully get it ready for you straight away 🤞xx

I’m planning on giving birth at James Cook and was interested in a water birth too x