7 Trays in Labour Room: Essential Guide for Efficient Maternity Care: Fast-Track Guide to Organizing Seven Key Trays for Labour Room Success

I keep labour rooms organized around seven core trays to cut decision latency and keep sterility intact under pressure. A clear, repeatable tray system reduces reach distances, speeds up routine steps, and helps the whole team anticipate the next move. In acute settings, shaving seconds matters: Steelcase research has shown that well-orchestrated spatial layouts reduce cognitive load and error likelihood by simplifying access to needed tools (steelcase.com/research). WELL v2 further emphasizes immediate accessibility, visual cues, and minimized travel paths as contributors to clinical effectiveness via improved human factors and environmental quality (wellcertified.com).

Ergonomics is not cosmetic; it is clinical. The Institute of Industrial Engineers notes that reducing repetitive reaching beyond 50–60 cm lowers muscular strain and errors during procedures. In lighting, IES recommendations for healthcare task areas typically fall in the 500–1000 lux range for fine clinical tasks, with glare control to protect visual acuity (ies.org/standards). In my own projects, setting labour room task lighting around 700–800 lux at the procedure zone with dimmable ambient layers lets midwives transition between assessment, delivery, and neonatal checks without eye fatigue or shadows on the field.

Core Philosophy: Seven Trays, Clear Zones

Each tray corresponds to a functional phase or contingency: assessment, sterile delivery, suturing, neonatal resuscitation, emergency haemorrhage control, IV/medication, and postpartum monitoring. The layout avoids cross-traffic, keeps sterile from non-sterile, and aligns with the mother’s position, the clinician’s dominant hand, and the likely movement flow. If you are planning a compact labour suite or updating a shared birth room, a room layout tool can help simulate tray reach, circulation arcs, and sterile boundaries: room layout tool.

Tray 1: Maternal Assessment & Setup

Purpose: Initial check, vitals, and prep. Contents typically include blood pressure cuff and monitor, pulse oximeter, thermometer, maternity pads, sterile gloves (non-procedure), antiseptic wipes, fetal Doppler, and documentation tools. Keep this tray non-sterile and closest to the entrance to avoid bringing contaminants deeper into the room. Height: 90–100 cm standing access to reduce bending. Labeling: high-contrast, sans-serif labels, left-to-right order for right-handed workflows.

Tray 2: Sterile Delivery Instruments

Purpose: Active labour and delivery. Contents: sterile drapes, cord clamps, scissors, hemostats, sponge forceps, sterile gauze, suction bulb (sterile), sterile lubricant, and sterile gloves (procedure grade). Place adjacent to the delivery field at elbow height. Visual balance matters—avoid tray overcrowding; use shallow segmented bins so instruments lie flat and identifiable. Sterility buffer: 30 cm clearance from non-sterile surfaces.

Tray 3: Suturing & Perineal Repair

Purpose: Immediate postpartum repair. Contents: suture kits (most commonly 2-0 and 3-0 absorbable), needle drivers, fine scissors, toothed forceps, sterile saline, povidone-iodine, local anesthetic with labeled syringes and safety needles, and sterile drapes. Illumination: direct, shadow-free task light near 800–1000 lux. Ergonomics: wrist-neutral tool grips; tray height aligned with seated operator if repairs are done seated. Keep this tray covered until needed to reduce contamination.

Tray 4: Neonatal Resuscitation & Immediate Care

Purpose: Newborn stabilization within the golden minute. Contents: warming hats, neonatal bag-valve mask (sizes 0/1), suction catheter, pulse oximeter sensor, clean towels, Apgar timer, cord clamp backups, and vitamin K. If a radiant warmer or resuscitaire is present, position the tray just lateral to the warmer with cords managed to avoid tripping. Acoustic comfort counts—limit alarm volumes while maintaining audibility; soft finishes near the neonatal zone help reduce sharp echoes.

Tray 5: Postpartum Hemorrhage & Emergency Response

Purpose: Rapid control of PPH. Contents: uterotonics (oxytocin, misoprostol per protocol), large-bore cannulas, IV lines, pressure bag, fluid warming kits, hemostatic gauze, Foley catheter, and blood draw supplies. This tray must be unmistakable, color-coded (e.g., deep red) and sealed until deployment. Place within one step of the bedside with clear signage. Human factors: one-handed access to clamps and lines; avoid tangled tubing by pre-looping and clipping.

Tray 6: IV/Medication & Fluids

Purpose: Routine fluids and meds during labour. Contents: saline flushes, syringes with blunt needles, alcohol swabs, labeled drug syringes per protocol, infusion sets, tape, and sharps container mount. Keep this non-sterile tray close to the nurse’s station side of the bed. Lighting: 500–750 lux with high CRI to ensure label legibility. Habit design: place a small checklist card in the tray to confirm patient ID, drug, dose, time.

Tray 7: Postpartum Monitoring & Comfort

Purpose: Maternal stabilization and comfort. Contents: peri bottles, maternity pads, ice packs, analgesics per orders, breastfeeding support items, and documentation forms. This tray sits in a clean zone away from the delivery field, ideally near the bathroom access to streamline early ambulation. Add a soft-close drawer or damped runner to reduce noise at night; acoustic comfort supports rest and bonding.

Spatial Ratios, Reach, and Circulation

I map a 120–150 cm clear arc around the bed for primary circulation and keep 90 cm side clearance for equipment carts. Trays should land within 30–60 cm reach for primary users—midwives and nurses—with a dedicated sterile triangle: delivery tray at dominant-hand side, suturing tray opposite, neonatal tray forward-left near the warmer. If the room is tight, consider vertical stacking with pull-out shallow shelves. Use an interior layout planner to test different placements and staff paths: interior layout planner.

Lighting, Glare Control, and Color Psychology

Task light: 700–1000 lux at delivery and suturing zones; ambient: 200–300 lux with warm-neutral 3000–3500K for patient comfort. Avoid specular finishes near lights to reduce glare; matte medical-grade surfaces maintain hygiene yet limit reflections. Color psychology supports calmer labour: soft greens and muted blues are associated with reduced anxiety per Verywell Mind’s color psychology overview (verywellmind.com/color-psychology). Wayfinding labels and tray color-coding should contrast but not overstimulate—think desaturated tones with clear typographic hierarchy.

Materials and Infection Control

Choose non-porous, cleanable materials: powder-coated steel carts, medical-grade silicone organizers, and removable stainless inserts for sterilization. Seamless edges prevent bioburden traps. Sustainability matters: specify low-VOC coatings and durable components to extend lifecycle and reduce replacement waste. Foot-operated lids on waste and easy-swap bins keep the workflow hygienic.

Human Factors and Team Behavior

Trays work best when every clinician knows the map. I post a small diagram inside the door and at the nurse station: seven trays, positions, and color codes. Behavioral cues—like returning instruments to the same segmented bin—cut search time later. Keep floor tape or discreet trim markers for sterile boundaries. During shift changes, a 60-second verbal handoff on tray status prevents surprises.

Acoustic and Thermal Comfort

Laminate ceilings with acoustic backing and soft floor transitions near the neonatal zone help manage reverberation. Keep HVAC diffusers away from the delivery field to avoid drafts over sterile trays; 21–23°C is comfortable for labour, with localized warming at the neonatal station.

Maintaining the System

Daily: restock lists per tray, expiration checks, sterilization verification. Weekly: ergonomic review—any tray consistently out of reach or too low gets adjusted. Quarterly: simulation drills to stress-test the setup and refine labeling and binning. The system is stable but not static; small tweaks keep it aligned with team habits and outcomes.

FAQ

How many instruments should the sterile delivery tray hold without overcrowding?

Keep under 12 core instruments visible and flat. Use segmented bins; overflow items stay sealed in a secondary sterile pack.

What illumination level works best for suturing?

Target 800–1000 lux task lighting with low-glare optics and adjustable positioning to avoid shadows on the wound area.

How do I prevent cross-contamination between trays?

Maintain physical separation (at least 30 cm), clear sterile boundaries, covered trays, and one-way movement from non-sterile to sterile zones.

Where should the neonatal tray sit relative to the warmer?

Lateral, within arm’s reach but not blocking warmer access. Cable management and clear floor space prevent tripping during rapid response.

What color coding reduces search time without adding visual noise?

Muted, desaturated hues with strong contrast labels—e.g., deep red for haemorrhage, cool blue for neonatal—paired with consistent iconography.

How do I size circulation around the bed?

Plan a 120–150 cm clear arc for primary circulation and 90 cm side clearance for carts. Keep trays within 30–60 cm reach for primary users.

Is there a recommended temperature for labour rooms?

Generally 21–23°C for maternal comfort, with localized warming for the neonatal area.

What’s the fastest way to onboard new staff to the tray system?

Post a simple map at entry, use color-coded trays, and include a 60-second handoff script during shift change to confirm stock and sterile status.

How often should trays be audited?

Daily restock and expiration checks, with quarterly simulation drills to refine layout and labeling.

Can compact rooms still support seven trays?

Yes—use vertical stacking, shallow pull-outs, and strict zoning. Test placements with a room design visualization tool to validate reach and circulation.