MEET the adorable first arrival at Warrington Hospital’s new birthing unit.
The Nest, Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s ‘state-of-the-art’ £1.2million midwifery-led suite, first opened to families on Tuesday, December 1.
And at 5.38pm that day, Miles Edward Haslam became the first baby born in the facility – weighting 9lb.
Mum Holly, from Lymm, delivered her son in one of the unit’s birthday pools with new’ dad Simon by her side.
She said: “It was such a calming experience, the pool was really amazing – I definitely think that it helped with a quicker labour.
“It was much more relaxing and the whole team were just lovely.
“I went from 4cm to delivery in less than two hours, and I think it was because I was so relaxed with the water and calming music.
“The birthing pool definitely helped.
“It was a really good experience and I’m feeling really good and think it is down to the waterbirth, which has aided not only in delivery but also in recovery.”
Coming fitted with four ensuite birthing rooms including pools, the Nest provides a ‘home away from home in a relaxed, less clinical environment to create a truly special labour and birth experience’.
Each room boasts specialist lighting, Bluetooth speakers and projectors in order to ‘personalise’ the space, with equipment including birthing couches, stools, mats and positioning pillows.
Access to a garden area is also available, while the Nest has a large kitchen area for patients and staff with private refreshment facilities.
Evidence shows that midwifery-led units can lead to shorter labours as well as earlier discharges, with mums able to receive further support from community midwives in their own homes.
Lead midwife Sarah Fitzsimmons added: “This was a great first experience of birth in the Nest, and exactly what we hoped to achieve with this new suite.
“We are so excited to welcome baby Miles, and it was a delight to help support his parents to bring him into the world – we wish them so much happiness and health for the future.”
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