Labour and birth

Women’s Health Unit
Level 5
Torbay Hospital
Lowes Bridge
Torquay TQ2 7AA

Call maternity triage on 01803 656588 if you are in labour, or if you are 12 weeks pregnant or more and have urgent concerns.

Our labour and birth facilities

We have seven private birth rooms. Each room has its own bathroom.

Our aim is to help you have a safe and comfortable birth. Facilities include:

  • a birth pool (see The Cove below)
  • an operating theatre for caesarean birth
  • epidural pain relief (available 24 hours a day)
  • a 24-hour emergency operating and anaesthetic service
  • a bereavement room for families who need extra support

Your care will be led by midwives, with doctors available at all times if needed.

After your baby is born

If you and your baby are well, you may be able to go home from around 4 hours after birth.

Snacks are available for you at any time during your stay.

Your birth options

Hospital birth

You will give birth on the labour ward at Torbay Hospital, supported by midwives.

Doctors are available if you need extra care.

Torbay Maternity Unit video tour

Water birth – The Cove

We have a birthing pool that you can use during labour if you have had no complications during your pregnancy. Pools are available on a first come, first served basis.

Speak to your midwife if you are interested in a water birth.

Home birth and Whitelake Unit

You may choose to give birth at home or at the Whitelake Unit at Newton Abbot Hospital. Care is provided by midwives, and a birth pool is available at Whitelake.

There are no doctors on site at Whitelake, so you will be transferred to Torbay Hospital if you or your baby need extra care.

Whitelake Unit video tour

Starting labour (induction)

Sometimes labour needs to be started using medical help. This is called induction.

This may happen if:

  • your baby is overdue
  • there are health concerns for you or your baby

If induction is recommended, we will:

  • explain why
  • talk through your choices
  • answer your questions

Induction of labour video

Other types of birth

Some births need extra help. This may include:

  • assisted birth (using tools to help deliver your baby)
  • caesarean birth (an operation to deliver your baby)

If this is needed, we will:

  • explain everything clearly
  • help you make the best decision for you

Student midwives

We work with student midwives from Plymouth University, who are learning to become midwives.

They are an important part of our team and are always supervised by a qualified midwife. A registered midwife is responsible for your care at all times.

Phone enquiries

To protect your privacy, we cannot give updates to family or friends over the phone.

Please ask your family to wait for updates from you or your birth partner.

Maternity video guides

We have produced a number of support videos, which you can view in our maternity video library.