**Birth Place Options for Families in Bristol**
Families in Bristol have a choice of birth places, including the Cossham Birth Centre, Southmead Hospital, St Michael’s Hospital, and home birth. Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it is important for families to choose the option that is best for them.
**Cossham Birth Centre Closures**
Cossham Birth Centre, located in Kingswood, will be suspending services temporarily from 11th July 2023. This suspension is part of a planned change to maternity services in the Bristol area. The Southmead Birth Centre will remain open and continue to provide care to women and their families.
**Alternative Birth Place Options**
Families who are planning to give birth in the Bristol area have several alternative birth place options to consider.
* **Southmead Hospital** is a large hospital with a dedicated maternity unit. The unit has a wide range of facilities and services, including a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Southmead Hospital is a good option for families who want to give birth in a hospital setting with access to all the necessary medical facilities.
* **St Michael’s Hospital** is a smaller hospital located in the city center of Bristol. The hospital has a midwife-led maternity unit that provides care to women with low-risk pregnancies. St Michael’s Hospital is a good option for families who want to give birth in a more relaxed and intimate setting.
* **Home birth** is an option for families who want to give birth in the comfort of their own home. Home births are attended by a midwife, and families can choose to have a water birth or a land birth. Home birth is a good option for families who want to have a more natural and less medicalized birth experience.
**Choosing the Right Birth Place**
The best birth place for a family will depend on their individual needs and preferences. Families should consider the following factors when choosing a birth place:
* Their pregnancy risk factors
* Their desired level of medical intervention
* Their preferred birth setting
* The availability of support from family and friends
Families should also visit the different birth place options and talk to the staff before making a decision. This will help them to make an informed choice about where to give birth.
**Additional Resources**
* [NHS: Choosing where to give birth](https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/labour-and-birth/where-to-give-birth/)
* [NCT: Birth choices](https://www.nct.org.uk/labour-and-birth/birth-choices)
* [Birthplace in Bristol](https://www.nbt.nhs.uk/our-services/maternity-services/birthplace-in-bristol).
