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71 Maternity and Obstetrics NMH Annual Rep t | 2020 Hydrotherapy Pool Room. T he National Maternity Strategy 2016-2026 recognises that pregnancy and birth is a normal physiological process, and insofar as it is safe to do so, a woman's choice of maternity care should be facilitated. The vision for maternity services, as set out by the strategy, is one which places women and their families at the centre of the services provided. A choice of pathway of maternity care for each individual woman should be made available based on a risk profile. All pathways of care will strive to support the normalisation of the birth process as much as possible. An integral part of this vision is the commitment to providing a birthing unit that is a calm and relaxing environment, one that can best support the physiological process of birth. It is recommended that modern facilities including birthing aids and hydrotherapy pools should also be made available. In 2018, The National Maternity Hospital responded to the recommendations of the maternity strategy and made plans for a Labour and Birthing Unit (LBU) renovation and expansion. In October 2020, the LBU extension was opened. The new ensuite rooms of the Labour and Bir ing Unit extension accommodates the use of water in labour, either using the shower or the hydrotherapy pool room. When the renovation works are completed in 2021 there will be 14 labour and birthing rooms (12 ensuite) including a hydrotherapy pool room. All of these rooms are suitable for the provision of comfortable, low tech birth whereby labour aids such as birthing balls and stools can be utilised. Natural coping strategies, such as the labour hopscotch is clearly promoted throughout the unit. All options of care in labour needs are considered. If epidural analgesia, electronic fetal monitoring or oxytocin is required, women will remain in their allocated room and the same midwife will continue to provide care. The staff of the LBU are proud to commit to providing care in a homely environment that is of a high standard and one which respects woman's choice, dignity and need for privacy during childbirth. Antenatal Consultation An increasing number of antenatal consultations are undertaken for a number of women who had either