Having your baby at Whipps Cross Hospital

Contact numbers for Whipps Cross Hospital maternity team

Maternity appointments and scans	0208 535 6861
Helpline for pregnancy queries and after having your baby (10am-6pm, 7 days a week)	020 8535 6950
Out of hours helpline	0208 535 5522 Ext. 6769

Visiting hours
Mulberry Ward: 08.00-20.00, only 1 birthing partner permitted. From 14:00-22:00, 1 additional birthing partner is permitted. 
Labour and Delivery Ward: 24 hours, 2 birthing partners permitted
Lilac Birth Centre: 24 hours, 2 birthing partners permitted
Neonatal Unit: 24 hours

Patient engagement
We have a Patient Experience Team and a Community Engagement Officer to support us in hearing from the women and families we provide care to. We collate feedback from women and their families at each contact through the Friends and Family Test (FFT).The results are shared on a National database. We work very closely with our Maternity Voices Partnership to include the community in co-producing their care.

Parking
Subsidised parking permits can be given for your stay, please purchase a ticket from the machine for £2.50 for each day and our receptionist can organise a permit which you will need to display on your dashboard.  

Eating and drinking in or near the hospital
There are vending machines for snacks and drinks on the ground floor at reception and on the first floor at the lobby in front of the lift. We have a M&S next to the maternity building that is open 7 days a week (7:00am-8:30pm Monday to Friday and 8:00am-7:30pm Saturdays and Sundays) and a hospital canteen and coffee shop at Junction 4 of the main hospital.

Access to your hospital records
Request access to your hospital records.

Early Gynaecology Unit

The Emergency Gynaecology Unit (EGU) provides emergency care for women with problems in early pregnancy (up to 17 weeks of pregnancy) and emergency care for acute gynaecological problems.

We see women with:

• pain or bleeding in early pregnancy
• suspected ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside of the womb)
• severe pelvic pain admitted to hospital who are not pregnant

The appointments are allocated from the Emergency Department, GPs or other healthcare providers. You will be given an appointment either on the day or within a few days.

You can self-refer if you've had:

• two previous miscarriages
• a previous ectopic pregnancy
• a previous molar pregnancy

What to expect when you attend EGU 

A doctor or nurse will assess you by taking your medical history and you will also have an internal ultrasound scan. The scan findings will be explained, whether you need to have any more tests, and your treatment options. If you need to discuss these further with a doctor you may need to wait to be seen as we give priority to those who are seriously unwell.

Contact Details
Direct telephone line: 020 8535 6499
Switchboard: 020 8539 5522 Ext 6575
Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 7:00pm
Weekends and bank holidays: 9:00am to 12:00pm

If you are pregnant and are having pain or heavy bleeding outside of these hours, please go to the Emergency Department.

Further information and support:

• The Miscarriage Association
• The Ectopic Trust
• Association of Early Pregnancy Units (AEPU)
• Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity (SANDS)

Some of the consultants that you will meet in EGU are Ora Jesner, Anupama Shahid, Nandita Deo, Ismail Wong, Mehrnoosh Aref-Adib, Anwen Gorry.

Maternity Triage

This is an assessment area staffed by senior midwives for pregnant women who are 18 weeks pregnant and above (if under 18 weeks, please attend our A&E department for assessment) and up to 6 weeks following the birth of your baby.

When to contact Maternity Triage:-

• Reduced fetal movements
• If you think you are in labour
• Your waters breaking
• Vaginal bleeding

If you have any other concerns such as itching, headaches and visual disturbances, postnatal concerns, please call us for advice on 0208 539 5522 extension 6769. 

Information on support clinics while pregnant, bereavement and getting involved in reserach.