A CONSULTANT and mum-of-three has spoken of her delight at a new midwife-led unit which is being built at Warwick Hospital.
Smita Gohil works as a consultant anaesthetist within the hospital’s maternity and children’s departments.
And after experiencing a midwife-led unit (MLU) when she had one of her children she believes the addition will be a coup for the Lakin Road site.
By contrast her first baby was had on a busy labour ward at a city hospital.
Smita said: “The whole birthing experience was completely different, it surprised me how luxurious the unit was as you instantly feel warm and calm when you go in.
“There was no clinical feel like my previous birth, it is like a home birth with a spa like feel.”
And her husband Greg agreed.
He said: “The difference between a normal maternity ward birth and one on in a midwife led unit were very significant.
“For the birth of our first child I didn’t have anything to sit on for first few hours, so stood by the side of the bed holding my wife’s hand. Whereas our experience in a birthing unit was all positive.
“My favourite bit of the birthing unit process was at the very end, when a large double bed was lowered from the wall and my wife, my new baby girl and I were allowed to take a little nap together to recover. This alone created emotions and memories I will never forget.”
A recent survey has shown that women feel it is important their partner is able to stay and feel comfortable following the birth, which is why the hospital will also be fitting all four birthing rooms with the same double beds.
They say the new unit will ensure that partners can feel at home, with access to a kitchen where they can prepare their own food and not have to rely on meal service times.
And to make it as good as it can be, the hospital has launched a Birth and Babies Appeal aiming to raise £200,000. The money will go towards equipment and facilities, such as comfortable chairs and sofas for partners to stay on, which do not come as standard.
Smita said: “In the NHS you can always expect a professional, efficient and high standard of care, but nobody expects luxury, this birthing unit will be the best it can be as we have had the time to learn from others in the area.*
Visit www.swft.nhs.uk/fundraise-us/appeals to donate or find out more.
