Introduction
'Standards for Birth Centres in England: a standards document' was launched at the RCM Annual Conference 2009. This was followed by Birth Centre resource: a practical guide (2010). Whilst writing the latter document, it became apparent that a central resource archive with extra documents and examples to support birth centres either in their development or in every-day functioning was essential. The philosophy of care in birth centres is closely linked to the philosophy of Campaign for Normal Birth (CNB) therefore the rightful home for this central archive resource is the Campaign website.
Obstetric Led Unit (OLU): an NHS location offering care to women with straight forward and more complicated pregnancies during labour and birth and in which obstetricians take primary professional responsibility for care. During labour and birth diagnostic and treatment medical services, including obstetric, neonatal anaesthetic care are available on site.
Alongside Midwifery Unit (AMU): an NHS location offering care to womenwith straight forward pregnancies during labour and birth in which midwives take primary professional responsibility for care. During labour and birth diagnostic and treatment medical services, including obstetric, neonatal anaesthetic care are available, should they be needed, in the same building, or in a separate building on the same site. Transfer will normally be by trolley, bed or wheelchair.
Freestnding Midifery Unit (FMU): an NHS location offering care to women with strightforward pregnancies during labour and birth in which midwives take primary progessional responsibility for care.
General Practitioners may also be involved in care. During labour and birth diagnostic and treatment medecal services, including obstetric, neonatal anaesthetic care are not immidiately available, but are located on a separate site should they be needed. Transfer will normally involve care or ambulance.
Above definitions are adapted from The National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit (NPEU 2007)
Clinical Guidelines
Data sets
Operational policies
Orientation to BC
Equipment and suppliers
Other policies
Surveys of women's views templates
Transfer policies
Waterbirth
