Small, intimate and beautifully designed. There are three large comfortable birthing rooms, one of which has a state of the art birthing pool. The rooms also contains en suite bath, shower and toilet facilities. To encourage you to be active in labour there is soft matting, birthing balls and a birthing couch.
The unit is located in a quiet peaceful area of the hospital and is easily accessed from the nearby free car park with its own dedicated entrance on the ground floor.
You and your birthing partner can be assured of first class facilities which have been designed with your comfort, privacy and safety in mind. You are very welcome to come and visit the unit and see these facilities. Please call 01389 817232 to arrange a tour.
Following the birth of your baby, you will continue to be accommodated within the unit in a single room.
Getting Here
Baby Joshua’s story
Mother of Joshua: “I have never lived anywhere where the local midwifery unit is the team you rely on, I have only ever known maternity units that are medically based. When I became pregnant I knew straight away the CMU was where I wanted to have my baby. Many people tried to advise me often suggesting the bigger units. However I am so glad I stuck to my guns. My whole experience of the CMU has been fantastic. All the staff who have had an input into my care have been supportive and professional at all times.
The actual day I went into labour will always be a pleasant memory because of the amazing support I had over the phone from the midwives in the CMU. Their experience was invaluable and they gave reassurance and guidance which allowed me the confidence to stay at home as long as possible.
When I finally came into the CMU to have my baby the 2 midwives on that night were amazing. They kept me calm and had a big influence on the wonderful experience of labour I had. It was much less scary because of them and their kindness and invaluable experience. It is something I will always treasure.
Joshua was born in a most relaxing environment and it was all down to the wonderful place they call the Vale if Leven CMU and the wonderful staff who work here. Thank you all for the wonderful job you are doing and I hope you go on doing it for many years to come. My husband and I will certainly be recommending the CMU to whoever we can.”
Father of Joshua: “My wife has written her thoughts but I wanted to write mine down too. I am GP working locally and during my training I have seen many deliveries. However I have never seen a delivery in a midwife led unit. I must confess that I was really worried initially about our baby being born at the Vale. I asked myself the question what would happen if complication arose, because the nearest doctors were in the RAH in Paisley. Many of my GP colleagues had the opinion that the safest place to have a baby was where doctors work. I didn’t know where to go for the best, but as the delivery date approached I realized 3 things.
- I have heard of lots of negative experience at other large maternity units
- I have NEVER heard of a negative experience from the CMU at the Vale.
- It seemed ridiculous not to use local services when everyone wants the Vale to stay open.
So we decided to stay with the CMU at the Vale and it was the best choice we made.
After Joshua was born we didn’t really know what we were doing! This was our first baby after all!! The midwives listened to our questions, explored our feelings and gave us the opportunity to make our own decisions after giving us the information. I have seen first-hand mothers panicking and midwives having no time to help. I have also seen mothers pushed home because of bed shortages. The Vale is so different. I’ll be recommending the Vale to all my Patients. Thank You!!!”