What’s it Like to Give Birth at Darent Valley Hospital?

If you’re pregnant and live in Kent, one of the first questions you might be asking is: where will I have my baby? For many local families, Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford is the closest maternity unit - and it offers a lovely mix of choice, modern facilities, and supportive care.

Whether you’re dreaming of a calm, natural birth or want to know that full medical support is on hand if needed, here’s what you can expect when giving birth at Darent Valley.

The Birth Centre at Darent Valley

The Birth Centre at Darent Valley Hospital is designed to feel calm, homely, and far from the traditional “clinical” vibe of a hospital ward. Many parents describe it as a relaxing space where you can move freely, dim the lights, and focus on welcoming your baby.

Facilities include:

• Spacious birthing rooms with ensuite bathrooms

• Large birthing pools available for water birth

• Birth balls, mats and space to move around freely

• Soft lighting and feminine murals to create a relaxing spa-like atmosphere

• Comfortable surroundings that encourage active, upright birth positions

It’s a brilliant option if you’re hoping for a low-intervention, natural birth with midwife-led care.

Hypnobirthing-Trained Midwives

A huge plus at Darent Valley is that many of the midwives are trained in Hypnobirthing techniques. This means they understand the importance of a calm environment, breathing techniques, and language that supports rather than scares. This is the case on both the Delivery Suite and in the Birth Centre at Darent Valley.

If you’ve been practising Hypnobirthing during your pregnancy, you’ll generally find the midwives there are already familiar with the approach - which can make a big difference to how confident and supported you feel during labour.

If you haven't heard of hypnobirthing before and would like to get started, you can find friendly and relaxed hypnobirthing classes near Darent Valley Hospital here.

Homebirth Support from the Community Team

Darent Valley also has a dedicated homebirth team who provide excellent one-to-one care for families planning to give birth at home. 

If homebirth is something you’re curious about, the DV community midwives team are known locally for being supportive and proactive, making it easier to feel safe and confident about your choice.

Darent Valley Birth Options Compared

When you’re deciding where to give birth, it can be helpful to weigh up the different settings available to you through Darent Valley.

Delivery Suite:

• Full access to obstetricians, anaesthetists and facilities like epidurals, assisted birth or caesarean if needed

• One room has a birth pool if you would like to use water during labour - however this room isn't always available

• Recommended if you have certain medical complications or prefer immediate access to intervention options

Birth Centre (Midwife-Led Unit):

• On the same site as the Birth Centre - just across the corridor.

• Calm, homely space with birth pools and active birth equipment

• Supportive of Hypnobirthing and natural birth preferences

• Best suited if you would like to have a physiological, low-intervention birth

 Homebirth with the Darent Valley community midwifery team:

• Darent Valley have an excellent homebirth service if you choose to explore this route. Two midwives will come to your home when you are in labour, meaning you get an excellent level of individual care and support.

• There are around 20 midwives are on Darent Valley's homebirth rota, meaning that the service is always available, and the midwives can generally get to you very quickly. There have not been any recent reports of the Darent Valley homebirth service being suspended due to staffing issues.

👉 As of 2025, Darent Valley have started offering in-person Place of Birth options events so you can see the choices for yourself: from a natural birth in the midwife-led centre or at home, through to full medical support on the Delivery Suite if that becomes necessary. Talk to your midwife for more details about the next Place of Birth options event. 

Positive Birth Stories from Darent Valley Mums

Of course, the best way to get a real sense of what it’s like to give birth somewhere is to hear from parents who’ve already been there.

I personally had all three of my babies under care of the Darent Valley Hospital midwives (two in Delivery Suite and one homebirth)  and I had an amazing experience each time. 

You can read positive birth stories from local mums who gave birth at Darent Valley Hospital here 

Final Thoughts

Choosing where to give birth is such a personal decision, and every parent’s journey will be unique. But if you’re in Dartford, Bexley, Swanley, Gravesend or the surrounding areas, Darent Valley Hospital offers a great balance of choice, safety and supportive midwifery care.

And remember - no matter where you have your baby, preparing with Hypnobirthing can help you feel calmer, more confident, and more in control of your birth experience.

Ready to Prepare for a Positive Birth at Darent Valley Hospital?

If you’re planning to give birth at Darent Valley Hospital, why not start your journey feeling calm, confident and in control?

I run local Hypnobirthing classes near Dartford and Bexley, designed to give you and your birth partner practical tools for every stage of labour.

👉 Find upcoming Hypnobirthing courses near Darent Valley Hospital