Maternity Assessment Centre

Our Maternity Assessment Centres (MAC) give urgent and emergency care during your pregnancy, and sometimes in the weeks after your baby has been born.

MAC midwife

A Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC) is a triage unit for anyone who is pregnant from 14 weeks onwards.

We have a Maternity Assessment Centre at Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital.

Who can use the Maternity Assessment Centre?

Our Maternity Assessment Centres care for anyone who is at least 14 weeks pregnant. If you are less than 14 weeks pregnant you will need your doctor (GP) or midwife to refer you for early pregnancy care.

We also care for you or your baby if you have any concerns up to 6 weeks after birth.

You will be looked after by one of our midwives who will be supported by doctors who are specialists in care during pregnancy, labour and after birth (obstetrician).

Please phone us before coming into hospital (our phone lines are open 24 hours) so that we can direct you to the department that you need.

When to phone the Maternity Assessment Centre

  • Your baby is not moving as much as they normally do
  • You think your waters have broken
  • You are bleeding from your vagina
  • You have tummy (abdominal) pain 
  • You are having labour pain (contractions)
  • Your blood pressure is raised or there is protein in your urine (your midwife or GP will spot this)
  • You are itching a lot
  • You have any other concerns about you or your baby
Important:

How to contact the Maternity Assessment Centre

To speak to a midwife urgently, please call:
Leeds General Infirmary 0113 3926731
St. James’s Hospital 0113 2065781

All telephone calls to the Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC) at St James’s Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary are recorded. You will be informed of this through an automated message before you speak to a midwife. Recordings are stored for a limited time and will only be downloaded if patient care needs to be reviewed – this could be to understand what was discussed or as part of a complaint.

What happens at the Maternity Assessment Centre?

When you arrive you’ll be seen by one of our midwives who will ask you some questions. This is so that we can make sure we see people who need urgent care first, so you might need to wait once this has taken place.

A midwife or doctor may then do some tests, including:

  • Observations
  • Monitoring your baby’s heart rate
  • Blood tests
  • Emergency scans, if needed

You might need to wait for your test results which can take a few hours. If you need to stay in hospital overnight for further tests or observations you will be admitted to our antenatal ward.

Who can go with me?

You can be supported at MAC by one additional adult. This could be your partner, a friend or family member.

If you are in labour, you can have 2 people with you.

Where is the Maternity Assessment Centre located?

Leeds General Infirmary – C Floor, Clarendon wing

St James’s Hospital – 5th Floor, Gledhow wing

Share feedback about your experience

We encourage you to tell us about your maternity care and whether you would recommend us to your friends and family.

Share maternity feedback
  • Page last reviewed: