Where can you give birth in Somerset?
Where can you give birth in Somerset and how do you choose? (August 2025)
You don’t have to choose the nearest hospital, you don’t have to choose hospital at all! In my antenatal course we dive into the birth stats for our local units and chat through what those numbers actually mean for you and your family.
Birth Centres
Midwife-led spaces designed to feel homely and support a calm and natural birth with quick access to medical support if needed.
Mendip Birth Centre, (Bristol)
Alongside birth centre at Southmead.
https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/maternity-services/birth-place-options/mendip-birth-centre-southmead-hospital-bristol
St Michael's Midwifery, (Bristol)
Alongside birth centre at St Michael’s.
https://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/your-hospitals/st-michaels-hospital/our-wards/st-michael's-midwifery-led-birthing-unit/
Bath Birth Centre, (Bath)
Alongside birth centre at RUH.
https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/patients/patient_information/BSWMNVP_BBC%20Guide_AW01.pdf
Bracken Birth Centre, (Taunton)
Alongside birth centre at Musgrove.
https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/bracken-birth-centre/
Frome Birth Centre, (Frome)
Freestanding unit which transfers to RUH.
https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/patients/services/maternity/virtual_tours.asp?menu_id=8d
Ashcombe Birth Centre, (Weston-Super-Mare),
Freestanding unit which transfers to St Michael’s.
https://www.waht.nhs.uk/en-GB/Our-Services1/Hospital-Units/Ashcombe-Birth-Centre/
Labour Wards
Hospital based with doctors, anaesthetists and theatres on site. A good fit if you want an epidural, continuous monitoring or you’re higher risk and this feels right for you. You can still keep it calm with movement, low lights and water where possible, but it is more clinical with more monitoring and higher intervention rates, so go in informed and make your preferences clear.
Musgrove Park Hospital, (Taunton)
https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/labour-ward/
St Michael’s Hospital, (Bristol)
https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/assets/1/23-001_place_of_birth_leaflet.pdf
Southmead Hospital, (Bristol)
https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/maternity-services/birth-place-options/central-delivery-suite-southmead-hospital-bristol
Royal United Hospital, (Bath)
https://www.ruh.nhs.uk/patients/services/maternity/index.asp
Home Birth
A home birth means giving birth in the most familiar and relaxed place of all, your own home. Being in your own space can help you feel safe and calm, which often helps labour progress. Midwives bring all the essential kit, and you get to snuggle into your own bed with your baby afterwards. Many families find this a powerful and empowering experience.
Let your midwife know you plan a home birth and request a referral to the Home Birth Team. Book your home visit, sort pool hire, note the number to call when labour starts, and check what kit to have ready. It is your choice where you give birth, and you can change your mind at any time.
Bristol Birth Place Options
https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/maternity-services/birth-place-options/home-birth
Somerset Birth Place Options
https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/maternity-new/maternity/your-pregnancy-care-and-birth-choices/
What feels right for you?
Start with what matters most to you. For low intervention and a calm, familiar feel, consider home birth or a birth centre; if you want an epidural or need closer monitoring, a labour ward may suit. Visit or take a virtual tour and check travel time, pools, monitoring, partner stay and length of stay. Think about recovery too, uninterrupted skin to skin, feeding support and where you will rest well. Share preferences with your birth partner and write a clear plan together.
Want to dig into your options? Join my antenatal class in Cheddar where we will compare local birth stats, ask questions and help decide what feels right for your family.
