Planning a Water Birth in the North East: What You Need to Know

If you’ve ever dreamed of labouring in warm, soothing water - surrounded by calm lighting and quiet reassurance - you’re not alone.

Water births can offer powerful benefits: reduced pain perception, a greater sense of control, and smoother transitions between contractions. But here in the North East, navigating your water birth options isn’t always simple.

So, let’s explore what’s actually available in our region, why water birth rates are surprisingly low, and how you can prepare and advocate for the birth you want.

What is a Water Birth?

A water birth usually refers to labouring or birthing your baby in a specially designed birth pool. The warm water can support your body, ease discomfort, and help you stay calm and focused. Some women choose to get out before pushing, others give birth in the water -both are valid and supported choices.

Where Can I Have a Water Birth in the North East?

Here’s a breakdown of the main hospitals and midwife-led units (MLUs) offering water birth facilities:

🔹 Hexham MLU

• Standalone midwife-led unit

• 4 private birthing rooms

• 1 birth pool

• Calm lighting and ensuite postnatal room

✨ Ideal for physiological, low-intervention birth

🔹 Hillcrest (Alnwick Infirmary MLU)

• Standalone MLU

• 1 birthing room with 1 birth pool

• Active birthing aids available

🌿 Small, intimate, with a nurturing vibe

🔹 Berwick MLU

• Standalone MLU

• 1 birthing room with 1 pool

• Atmospheric lighting and movement-friendly

🕯️ Peaceful and personal

🔹 NSECH, Cramlington (Consultant-Led Unit)

• 14 private birth rooms

• 2 rooms with pools

• Midwifery-led care available for low-risk births

• On-site NICU and 24/7 consultant support

⚠️ Average water births per month: 2 - 4

🔹 Newcastle Birthing Centre (RVI)

• 10 birthing rooms

• 5 of them have pools

• Dim lighting, birth aids, one-to-one midwifery care

• Inside the hospital (with delivery suite nearby if needed)

🏥 A well-equipped, low-intervention choice

🔹 RVI Delivery Suite (Consultant-Led)

• 12 birthing rooms

• 1 has a pool

• More medicalised setting, access to obstetric teams

👩‍⚕️ Best suited to higher-risk births or where intervention is expected

And last, but absolutely not 'least' - especially when it comes to having the 100% option of a pool... HOME! With a home birth you have 2 midwives and you are able to source your own birth pool, which is then your responsibility and your's to decide whether you use it or not.

📉 So Why Are Water Birth Rates Still So Low in 2025?

Despite the growing interest and known benefits, across these settings, only around 4 water births per month take place.

Here’s why that might be:

1. Eligibility & Risk Categorisation

Many women are told they are "high risk" due to factors like BMI, age, or even marginal concerns. This often removes them from the water birth pathway - even when they may still birth physiologically with the right support. Occasionally this is true, a water birth wouldn't be a safe option for Mother or baby, but a lot of the time it's simply not in line with the Trust's guidelines or insurance perameters. It's always worth exploring the evidence and asking for a personalised care plan.

2. Working Culture & Staff Confidence

In some hospitals, water birth just isn’t a priority. Not all staff are confident or trained in facilitating water births, and some units don’t actively encourage them. Without strong leadership that values physiological birth, water births can become the exception rather than the norm.

3. Lack of Awareness

Some families don’t even realise it’s an option—or think it might not be ‘for them.’ Often, it’s not brought up in standard antenatal appointments unless asked for directly.

4. Pool Availability

With only one or two pools per unit (and sometimes shared between rooms), they can be in use or unavailable when labour starts - especially during busy times.

💫 How to Increase Your Chances of a Water Birth

If a water birth feels aligned for you, here are some gentle tips:

• Mention it early: Let your midwife and birth team know from the start.

• Include it in your birth preferences: Be specific about wanting to labour/birth in water.

• Choose a setting with more pools: RVI Birthing Centre or your local MLU.

• Consider a home birth: If birthing undisturbed, reducing un-necessary interventions and having the option of a pool is important to you - home is probably the most likely place you'll find these things.

• Work with a doula: Doulas can advocate calmly for your wishes, help you prepare your body and mind, and suggest movement and breath practices to keep things flowing (even if the pool isn’t available).

🌿 Final Thoughts

Water birth is a powerful, gentle option - but in the North East, it requires intention, clarity, and sometimes a bit of extra planning. With the right support and preparation, you can access a calmer, more connected birth experience.

If you’d like to explore your options, create a bespoke birth plan, or understand how to advocate for the birth you desire, I’d love to chat.

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Jessica Ord is an experienced birth doula and hypnobirthing expert, supporting parents across the North East. With just under a decade's experience in this work, she specialises in home birth, high risk labels and supporting sovereign, self led parents.

From wild pregnancies to water births, she specialises in supporting you to trust your instincts, birth on your terms, and feel powerful doing it.

Find out more about her Northumberland pregnancy classes and birth support here:

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