Supporting your birth at Barking Birth Centre

The Barking Birth Centre is based at Barking Community Hospital. The centre is staffed entirely by midwives and provides a relaxed home-like environment for labour and birth for those who have had a straight-forward pregnancy.

All of our birthing rooms have an en-suite bathroom, fixed birthing pools, a double bed, flat screen TV, and natural birthing aids such as a stool, a sling and a birthing ball.

To help you cope with labour we offer pain relief options such as use of a birthing pool, gas and air (Entonox) and Pethidine. You can also bring your tens machine with your if you wish. Epidurals for pain relief are not available. 

Who can use the birth centre?

Pregnant women who have had a straight-forward pregnancy with no medical problems and/or no problems in a previous pregnancy or labour can use the birth centres.

We welcome women from across Newham, Barking and the surrounding London boroughs, including Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Havering and Redbridge. We are also very happy to care for women from other parts of London and Essex.

Where is the birth centre located?

The Barking Birth Centre is located at Barking Community Hospital Upney Lane. To learn more about the centre, you can call the team on 020 8252 8281.

If you have a straight-forward pregnancy you have the option to give birth at our birth centre. You will be cared for by our team of midwives.

Who will attend the birth?

A midwife, supported by a maternity care assistant will attend your birth, to support you and keep you comfortable. They will be able to suggest a variety of labour techniques suited to you, ensuring your experience is a positive one.

What happens if there is an emergency?

While few emergencies in childbirth are immediately life threatening, if there is an emergency during your birth at the birth centre, your midwife is trained to respond. If we agree the safest thing to do is transfer you to hospital, we will call an ambulance.

What if I change my mind when labour starts?

Nothing is set in stone! When you go into labour we’ll assess you and work with you to see how you’re doing. At this stage you can decide whether to stay at the birth centre or move to the hospital.

Do you have any specialist clinics at your birth centre?

We do have a specialist birth afterthough clinic at our birth centre. This clinic is an opportunity to discuss your birth experiences and plan your birth choices.  Appointments for the clinic are made via your midwife. 

What if I'm having more than one baby?

Women with multiple pregnancies cannot have their baby at our birth centre. Instead, they should contact the team at Newham Hospital. 

Can I have a caesarean section at your birth centre? 

We do not offer caesarean sections (also known as c-sections) at our birth centre. If you think you would like or might need a c-section, you can talk through this with one of our midwives or contact the team at Newham Hospital.