Mothers Express Disappointment Over Unavailable Birthing Pools

Expectant and new mothers in Sussex have expressed to the BBC their dissatisfaction regarding the unavailability of birthing pools at two prominent hospitals within the county for a period of several months. The birthing pool at Princess Royal Hospital (PRH) in Haywards Heath has been non-operational since September, and the pool at Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) in Brighton was taken out of service in July. Alice Stride, whose daughter Evie was born four weeks prior, stated that she felt “robbed of the birth she wanted”. University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation indicated that it is currently undertaking the replacement of the birthing pools, with an anticipated completion “within a few months”. The organization explained that the pools were rendered unusable because they did not meet the requirements of standard regular infection prevention and control testing processes. Ms. Stride had intended to have a water birth at PRH, but she was informed two days before her scheduled induction that the pool was unavailable. She reported requiring significant medication, including an epidural, which she had wished to forgo. Ultimately, she chose a caesarean section. Ms. Stride commented, “Maybe it would have gone a different way had I been in the water.” The NHS states that “being in a birth pool can be relaxing and a good way of reducing pain in labour.” While there is no conclusive evidence that delivering in water lowers the likelihood of a caesarean, studies indicate it does decrease the necessity for an epidural. Sami Joyce, a midwife based in Kent, noted that in addition to the advantages for mothers, water births provide babies with a “much calmer transition in an experience that could actually be quite traumatic.” She further explained that water births assist healthcare professionals in helping “encourage women to trust their innate responses to birth.” She concluded, “This is how outcomes are improved for mothers and babies.” Tamara Vodden, a resident of Brighton, utilized a birthing pool during her first delivery at RSCH in January 2022, stating that “it really helped,” especially since she was unable to use pain relief medication. She delivered again in September without access to a pool and expressed that it “would have been much better in the pool.” She remarked, “It’s really frustrating – I don’t understand why they don’t have it sorted.” Emma Chambers, who serves as the director of midwifery for University Hospitals Sussex, issued a statement: “We are in the process of replacing the birthing pools at Royal Sussex County Hospital and Princess Royal Hospital. “This is to ensure the safety of mothers and their babies. We are dedicated to resuming water birth services as soon as possible, and we hope that this will be within a few months.“We understand this is very disappointing for some families and apologise for any inconvenience this causes. “Expectant mothers can still choose to have water births locally at Worthing, St Richard’s in Chichester, Eastbourne, Crowborough, or at home.” Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk , externalor WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.