30th April 2013
Less than a day after the new service started, the first baby was born early this morning (30th April) in the new midwifery led unit in the Mater Hospital. Molly weighed in just after 3.00am, after her mum Carmel Smith from Glengormley had a water birth. Mum and baby are both well and went home earlier this morning.
The Belfast Trusts midwifery led unit is now operational. The new service will be available as an option for women within the Belfast Trust, and is the first of its kind in the city.
‘A midwifery led unit offers care for women with straightforward pregnancies in which the care is provided by midwives,’ explains Ruth Clarke, maternity services manager for the Trust. ‘Obstetric care for women who have particular complications will be provided by the Royal Jubilee Maternity Service, but we are looking forward to welcoming women whose care is straightforward, into the new unit.’
A refurbishment of the current maternity accommodation in the Mater is being put in place to create a comfortable and cosy environment for both women and midwives. Changes include an increase in the number of pools available for water births from two to four, as more women are choosing this option to birth their babies.