April 2026
Is having a water birth currently an option in NHS Grampian?
Yes. Birthing pool facilities are available at Inverurie Community Maternity Unit, Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin and at the Community Maternity Unit in Peterhead. The use of birthing pools at home births also remains an option.
Could I have a water birth at home?
Yes. Home birth is an established service within NHS Grampian. The midwifery teams can support families who are exploring the option of hiring a pool for their planned home birth. Please speak with your local midwifery team if this is something that interests you.
Why is the birthing pool in Aberdeen Maternity Hospital’s midwifery unit closed?
In Aberdeen, we were pleased to return our midwife unit to its usual home in 2023 following repairs to this part of the original building to address water damage. Unfortunately, the repair work brought to light infrastructure issues with the birthing pool room. It has become clear these issues are extensive, affecting not only the pool but the pipework underground, the ventilation and the drainage for this room.
It has been decided the room will be converted into a much-needed extra clinical space to benefit families instead.
Is NHS Grampian not fixing the birthing pool in Aberdeen because the preference is to save money?
It is NHS Grampian’s commitment as an organisation to offer water use in labour and birth to families in our care, but safety must come first. Midwives and the wider management team share the concerns regarding the impact of the lack of birthing pool facilities we currently have in Aberdeen. Following a detailed review of the costs, timescales, risks and benefits of reinstating the room, it was decided that doing so would not meet infection prevention requirements and would not represent value for money. We look forward to the new clinical space being ready and beyond that to moving into The Baird Family Hospital.
Can families continue to benefit from a midwife-led birth with therapeutic support?
Yes. While we sincerely apologise for any distress felt by women at the moment in the lead up to labour, we also seek to provide reassurance that we are committed to providing high standards of midwife-led care and therapeutic approaches across Grampian. We would encourage anyone with concerns to discuss these, and plans for place of birth, with their midwife.
Who can I go to for more information?
Discussions about place of birth and therapeutic support should be raised with your midwife. Please share any wider questions or concerns you may have by emailing gram.maternityengagement@nhs.scot We will look to address these by sharing updates online and with local teams.