MAU (Macleod Maternity Assessment Unit)

MAU (Macleod Maternity Assessment Unit) is an acute triage service and an appointment system Day Assessment Unit. You may be referred to MAU by your GP or community midwife, or you can self-refer if you are over 22 weeks pregnant. MAU can be found on the Delivery Suite in West Block, Level 3. The closest car parks to the Delivery Suite are M and N – entering through the west atrium of the hospital.

If you have urgent concerns about you or your baby after 22 weeks of pregnancy please call MAU – the Macleod Maternity Assessment Unit on 01603 287328.
We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Please do not ever worry or hesitate about calling us. We are always open and here to help – no matter how many times you need us.

In particular please call us if:

  • you think you are in labour (if you are over 37+0 weeks and planning on birthing on the Midwifery-Led Birthing Unit (MLBU) please call MLBU on 01603 288260).
  • you have abdominal pain.
  • you think your waters have broken.
  • you are 26+0 weeks or more and have reduced or changed fetal movements (if you are 22+0 to 25+6 weeks please call Medicom on 01603 481222).
  • you have vaginal bleeding.
  • you have itching in pregnancy and are 39+0 weeks or over (if you are less than 39 weeks pregnant please call Medicom on 01603 481222).
  • you have symptoms of high blood pressure such as a moderate to severe headache, problems with your vision or if you are feeling unwell.
  • you have urgent concerns.

Please do not wait until the next day to seek help, especially if your baby’s movements are changed or reduced. If your baby’s movements are reduced we may listen to your baby’s heartbeat with a handheld doppler in the community or on MAU with a CTG machine. This will depend on how many weeks pregnant you are and based on your individual need.

An MAU midwife will answer all calls and either offer advice, invite you in for assessment or direct you to the most appropriate healthcare setting or professional. At present you are not required to do a lateral flow Covid-19 test prior to attending MAU. We are also currently unable to permit birthing partners to accompany you during MAU assessments.