UHSM welcomes its 250th water baby!
“When I heard about the pools I was immediately determined to give birth in one. I came in to see them while I was pregnant and was really impressed as the room looked so relaxing. When I went in to labour and first went in to the pool I did think it might feel quite odd but, once I was in, it was just fantastic. The focused care I received was incredible and staff made me feel relaxed and comfortable. I’m really happy with the whole experience and pleased my little boy is the 250th water baby for the hospital!”
Naomi Harrison
Mum
At 13:44 on November 03 2010, UHSM was delighted to welcome its 250th water baby into the world.
Harrison Atherton weighed in at 9lb, and was born in one of UHSM's new state-of-the-art birthing pools, part of a multi-million pound refurbishment and expansion of services for women and children. The pools themselves are large and comfortable while the rooms are almost hotel-like with ensuite facilities, a wide-screen TV, kitchenette, ambient lighting and have plenty of room to walk around in.
Naomi Atherton, Harrison’s Mum, who has two other children - Aidan aged 11 and Lauren aged 2 - found out she was pregnant just months after the birth pools opened in late summer 2009.
Just hours after having Harrison, Naomi was discharged and ready to go home. Suzi Brown, the midwife who cared for Naomi and helped to deliver Harrison says: “The pools allow women to have an intervention-free natural birth where they receive one-to-one care and can go home within hours. Naomi did really well today and Harrison is just beautiful. I’m really glad that both of them enjoyed the experience and are doing so well.”
UHSM’s Women’s & Maternity Centre is currently receiving a £20 million upgrade and expansion. The three-year multi-million pound scheme, which started last year, will provide a new Women’s Ward, a new Midwife-Led Unit, a larger and totally refurbished Neonatal Unit and Delivery Suite, plus more birthing pools and improvements to the antenatal area.