Yeovil Women’s Health and Maternity Unit
Address
Yeovil Hospital
Higher Kingston
Yeovil
Somerset BA21 4AT
"In Somerset we are committed to developing safe, personalised, kind, professional and family friendly maternity care. Every family will have access to the information they need to enable them to make decisions about their care; and will be able to access support that is centred on their individual needs and circumstances.
"Our staff will be supported to deliver care, which is woman centred, working in high performance teams in organisations that are well led, open and honest and in cultures which promote innovation, continuous learning and overcome organisational boundaries."
Yeovil Maternity Service serves the population of East Somerset and North Dorset based at Yeovil Hospital. Women who choose to receive their maternity care with us are cared for by a friendly, experienced team of midwives and obstetricians who work together to provide safe and personalised care to them and their families.
Women can choose to have their babies at home, in the maternity led unit or in the obstetric unit. We are fully supportive of low risk women who choose to have their babies at home with our home birth team or in Meadow suite – an alongside midwife led unit. Women coming into the maternity unit to have their babies are cared for in one of our en-suite birthing rooms, most of which have lovely views over Yeovil and surrounding countryside.
The community midwives work in one of our five community teams across the area, with a link midwife providing antenatal clinics for each GP practice, at GP surgery’s or community hubs. The midwives also run a daily drop in service based at the hospital for postnatal appointments.
For women choosing us to care for them during pregnancy, birth and beyond, we aim to provide safe, high quality, maternity care with a personal approach. We are very proud of the fact that our midwives prioritise providing one to one care in labour to support women and their partners through this life-changing event.
Our specialist services include
Services include:Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic (EPAC)
The Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic provides early scans and consultation for women experiencing problems in pregnancy, from six to 18 weeks. Women who are experiencing pain and or bleeding, or who have had a previous ectopic pregnancy or tubal surgery are suitable for referral, which can be phoned through to EPAC at any time by GPs, doctors and midwives. Women attending the clinic should attend with a comfortably full bladder and will undergo assessment, ultrasound scanning and review. Day Care Assessment Unit (DCAU)
Day Care Assessment Unit are a small team of midwives that run the daily outpatient clinic. The midwives work alongside our obstetric colleagues to provide care for women who need extra monitoring after 20 weeks of their pregnancy. DCAU is open every day of the week and at the weekend. DCAU have booked appointment slots for women needing monitoring for pregnancy specific conditions such as: * Reduced fetal movements
* Obstetric cholestasis
* Rupture of membranes (waters breaking)
* Raised blood pressure
* Review of ultrasound scans
* Anti D administration
* Ferrinject infusions for low iron levels
You may be referred to DCAU for an appointment by your community midwife, from antenatal clinic or if you call the labour ward with concerns. The assessment and monitoring in DCAU may involve observations, monitoring the baby’s heart rate, blood tests or emergency scans if necessary. Each treatment and plan of care will be discussed fully with you at your appointment. DCAU can be busy at times so please be patient if it takes a while to ensure you receive the best care, there may be times when our doctors are called to attend emergencies elsewhere which may delay your visit. Next Birth Clinic (VBAC vaginal birth after caesarean section)
The Next Birth clinic is an advice service for women considering their choices following a previous uncomplicated caesarean birth. A team of experienced midwives, who have a special interest in vaginal birth after caesarean section will discuss your previous birth experience, give you an opportunity to explore your options and support you to make a plan for your birth. Diabetic Clinic
When visiting the Joint Diabetic/Obstetric Clinic you will meet the multidisciplinary team comprised of the consultant endocrinologist or consultant diabetic nurse, and the diabetic specialist midwife. They will discuss all aspects of care for your diabetes during your pregnancy and make a plan of care with you. You will be offered a consultation with the dietician who will be able to offer you advice and tips on how to manage your blood sugar levels and keep them in target. The Diabetic Team work alongside an Obstetric Team who will monitor your wellbeing and the growth and wellbeing of your baby. Together with you, the team will formulate a plan of care for your pregnancy, birth and postnatal period. Acorn Team
The Acorn Team consists of a team of specialist midwives. Their role is to care for women experiencing complex social needs. This may include women who have a history of substance or alcohol abuse, domestic violence or abuse, learning difficulties/disabilities and social services input. The Acorn Team are able to provide further support and information on a range of subjects including finance, housing and additional health support. The Acorn Team provide additional support for women experiencing mental health problems during pregnancy. They work closely with the perinatal mental health team to create robust care plans to help women to feel as well as they can when baby arrives. The team also provide specialist care for young parents under the age of 19 to give additional support throughout pregnancy, which include antenatal classes and activities for parents-to-be under 19 years old and a chance to meet up with other young mums.Infant Feeding Team
The Infant Feeding Team at YDH is made up of midwives and maternity support workers with a special interest in infant feeding. The team is led by specialist midwife and lactation consultant, Cher Smith. We are a fully accredited baby friendly unit which means we meet a set of evidence based, interlinking standards around breastfeeding and supporting families to build close and loving relationships. The team offer antenatal education in the form of regular infant feeding workshops and run a Facebook page with useful information and resources, postnatal support is then provided on the wards and at home. The team also facilitate a specialist feeding clinic to help you with more complex feeding issues which encompasses the frenulotomy service for Somerset (alongside Taunton). We are passionate about supporting you and your feeding choices, providing you with education to make informed choices around infant feeding and the knowledge and skills to be successful. Hearing Screening Team
The Hearing Screening Team screen all newborn babies prior to discharge from the maternity ward, babies born at home or discharged prior to screening being undertaken will be invited to attend the postnatal drop in or seen at home. Special Care Baby Unit
Some babies need additional care after birth because they are born prematurely or are unwell. These babies may need to be admitted to our recently refurbished Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) for extra monitoring or treatments. SCBU at Yeovil can accept babies born from 32 weeks and can look after up to eight babies at a time. If your baby is born before 32 weeks, is particularly unwell or if SCBU have reached capacity your baby may be transferred to a SCBU or NICU unit in neighbouring hospitals such as Bristol or Taunton. Your baby will receive care from neonatal staff nurses and paediatricians and will involve you at all times with the care of your baby. You will be encouraged to spend time with your baby, provide cares and feed baby where possible. Whilst your baby is in SCBU you will still receive care from the midwives on Freya Ward whilst you recover from birth both physically and emotionally. We are currently unable to provide a bed for you on Freya Ward if your baby is staying in SCBU for a prolonged length of time. Once you have physically recovered from birth, usually around 1 or 2 days following birth, staff from SCBU will support you to stay with your baby within the unit whilst you may still receive postnatal checks daily from the midwives on Freya Ward. What you need to know while your baby is staying in SCBU. Click here. Meadow Homebirth Team
‘Meadow Team’ made up of midwives who specialise and are passionate about homebirth and are pleased to support low risk women who choose to have their baby at home and live in the Yeovil catchment area. The Meadow Team will provide all of your antenatal care, you will receive some visits at home but also have the opportunity to meet other couples planning to have their babies at home in the antenatal period. The midwives will then be on call for your labour from 37 weeks ready to care for you when labour starts, day or night! There are many reasons to consider a homebirth including being more relaxed, freedom of movement, needing less pain relief and having continual support from your midwife and birth partners… all of which make for a shorter labour! For women having a normal pregnancy and who have had no complications in previous pregnancies, a planned home birth results in a greater chance of a normal vaginal birth and significantly reduces the rates of intervention in labour. In normal first pregnancies there is a small increase in the risk of complications for your baby if you have a home birth compared to giving birth in hospital (9 events per 1000 compared with 5 per 1000). For women having a second or subsequent normal pregnancy and who have had no complications in previous pregnancies, home birth is particularly suitable as complications for the baby are no different compared with birth in the hospital. If you are considering a homebirth or if this is something you would like to explore further please inform your midwife who can refer you to the Meadow Team or alternatively you may refer yourself to the team by email: home.birth@ydh.nhs.uk.Maple Continuity of Care Team
The Maple Team are a small group of midwives who aim to provide continuity of care throughout your pregnancy, labour and postnatal period for women living in central Yeovil. You will have a named midwife who will provide the majority of your care in the antenatal period and the opportunity to meet the other Maple Team members during your pregnancy. When you go into labour you will have care from your named midwife or another member of the Maple Team. If you are booked for an elective caesarean section, a Maple Team midwife will care for you on the day and for a short time after your operation. Postnatal care will be provided from the Maple Team either at drop in sessions in the community or hospital or in your home. Transport
Get Directions
From the South Via A37 Dorchester Road – at Quicksilver Roundabout, bear right downhill. At the next roundabout continue straight across in Queensway dual carriageway. At the next roundabout continue straight across into Reckleford. Take the first turning left into Higher Kingston. The multi-storey car park is on the right hand-side opposite the main hospital entrance (pay on exit). Via A3088 Taunton, South Petherton – Leave the A303 at the Cartgate roundabout and follow the Cartgate road (approximately six miles) to the roundabout. Take the first exit. At the mini roundabout go straight across to the next roundabout (Crematorium on left). Take the third exit into Preston Road and continue to the next roundabout. Take the third exit into Higher Kingston and the first turning left into Higher Kingston. The multi storey car park is on the right hand-side opposite the main hospital entrance (pay on exit). From the North Via A303 and A37 – Leave the Ilchester bypass at the Yeovil Junction and continue on the A37 to the ‘Welcome to Yeovil’ signs. Continue down the hill, past Yeovil College (on the left) to the roundabout. Take the second exit into the Kingston dual carriageway. At the next roundabout take the first exit and then the first turning left into Higher Kingston. Transport Options
By rail
Yeovil is served by two railway stations. Yeovil Pen Mill – trains from Weymouth, Dorchester, Castle Cary, Westbury, Bath and Bristol – approximately 1.5 miles from the Hospital. Bus service links to Yeovil Bus Station with a connection to Yeovil Hospital. A taxi service is available. Yeovil Junction – trains from Exeter, Crewkerne, Sherborne, Salisbury and London Waterloo. Approximately 3 miles from the Hospital. Bus service links to Yeovil Bus Station with connections to Yeovil Hospital. A taxi service is available.By bus
First Bus Route 1 calls outside the hospital at 15-minute intervals for most of the day. Route 1 serves Yeovil east to west (Cavalier Way to Abbey Manor Park via the town centre). This service connects with other town and local services at Yeovil Bus Station. The bus station is only five minutes’ walk from the hospital along Reckleford. For bus timetables click here or if you would like to contact First call 01935 476233 or visit First Group website. Don’t forget that people aged 60 or over are entitled to free bus passes which cover all or most of the journey to Yeovil District Hospital by major bus routes, depending on where you live. For full details contact your local council. Parking
Multi-storey car park and associated changes Our multi-storey car park is situated opposite the hospital’s main reception and provides 650 spaces for patients, visitors and staff. Stairs and lifts are available from all floors. The car park is barrier-controlled and uses a pay-on-exit system. Other parts of the hospital site, including the drop-off points outside main reception and outside the Women’s Hospital entrance remain monitored by automatic number plate recognition cameras. Disabled parking – please note changes Disabled parking is located on the ground floor of the new multi-storey car park. A total of 31 dedicated spaces are provided for those displaying a Blue Badge. These motorists can also park in any other available bays (excluding parent and child, and reserved bays). These will replace the current disabled parking spaces opposite the hospital’s main entrance. Motorists parking in disabled bays in the new car park and displaying a Blue Badge are subject to the same tariff as other users. There is no need to register your Blue Badge before or after parking. Pick up and drop-off spaces Pick up and drop-off spaces, offering a maximum of 20-minutes free parking, are available outside main reception (including some wider-bays for increased accessibility) and outside the Women’s Hospital entrance. These are monitored by automatic number plate recognition cameras. Vehicles parked for longer than the allowed time in these areas or other parts of the hospital site may incur a parking charge notice. Parking charge notices Vehicles parked for longer than the allowed time in drop-off areas or other parts of the hospital site may incur a parking charge notice. Parking charge notices are issued automatically, monitored and managed exclusively by ParkingEye. For details of the full appeals process please contact the Parking Eye website or call: 0844 247 2984. Electric vehicle charging There are two charging points for electric vehicles, situated on the ground-floor, right-hand side of the multi-storey car park. Standard parking charges and charging tariff apply. Parent and child parking There are three dedicated parking spaces for parents with young children located on the ground floor of the new multi-storey car park. Standard charges apply. Car parking tariff Parking in our new multi-storey car park can be paid for with cash (coins and notes), credit/debit card or contactless.Pay machines are located by the lift lobby on the ground floor, please remember to take your ticket with you.Tariff Charge Up to 30 minutes £2.50 Up to 1hr £3 Up to 2hr £5 Up to 3hr £6.50 Up to 4hr £8 Up to 5hr £9 Day rate £12.50 Week rate £35 Month rate £95 Extended parking permits are available from reception.Concessions Some patients and visitors are eligible for exemption from parking charges. These apply to:* Registered carers* SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit) parents or guardians* Mothers breastfeeding children staying overnight* Visitors conducting bedside vigils* Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or active clinical treatments, including outpatient visits within an active treatment phase. Standard charges apply to follow-up visits, attendance to health & wellbeing events, holistic needs assessments.Discounted parking is available for visitors and patients using the car park for extended periods. Please see parking charges for more details.
