Birth and Babies appeal continues to go from strength-to-strength - The Leamington Observer

Birth and Babies appeal continues to go from strength-to-strength

Leamington Editorial 17th May, 2018   0

THE BIRTH and Babies appeal to raise money for a new midwife-led unit at Warwick Hospital continues to go to strength-to-strength after reaching its halfway point – and finally revealing its new name.

SPRING and new life is the inspiration behind the name of the new maternity unit.

The state-of-the-art Midwife Led Unit on Lakin Road will be named the Bluebell Birth Centre when it opens in August this year.

The name was suggested and voted for by hospital staff.




A spokeswoman for South Warwickshire Foundation Trust (SWFT) – which runs the site along with Leamington, Stratford and Shipston hospitals – said: “As bluebells naturally flower in spring, which is the season associated with new life, it is very fitting for a unit that will welcome newborns.”

It comes as the appeal to raise money for added luxuries in the new maternity unit hit its halfway point.


aims to reach £200,000 to buy items which do not come as standard on the NHS.

And staff are delighted to have reached £100,000 taking them halfway towards the total.

But they are still urging people to continue fund-raising and donating to help pay for comforts on the wishlist, which includes four birthing couches costing £9,000 and cooling fans for each room at a total of nearly £3,000.

To help raise money call 01926 495321 or email [email protected] to speak to the fund-raising team.

A WOMAN who made babies her business has spoken out about how ‘incredible’ a midwife-led unit will be to south Warwickshire.

Leonie Darch runs Happy, Healthy Babies, which provides hypnobirthing and antenatal workshops to local expectant parents.

And she says after personally experiencing a midwife-led unit she believes it will be a good thing for mums-to-be in the area.

She said: “Everyone wants something different from their birth and I work with women and couples to help them feel prepared and confident as they approach their big day. The new birthing unit will offer families the choice to birth in a relaxed and comfortable, home from home environment supported by amazing midwives.

“We know that when a woman feels relaxed and supported during her labour her chances of experiencing a positive, normal birth massively increase, also reducing the need for intervention.

“My own son was born in a midwife-led unit in Buckinghamshire and so I have experienced first-hand the incredible benefits of birthing in this kind of environment.”

And Leonie says she believes the birthing pools will be the best part of the unit.

She added: “I am passionate about using water during labour and birth and I am delighted that if we hit our target we will have four pools in the unit.

“These aren’t cheap at £12,000 each so the appeal is working incredibly hard to ensure these four pools are provided.”

A HOSPITAL boss braved freezing temperatures in the Arctic to raise money for the appeal.

SWFT director of development Jayne Blacklay battled -30 degree temperatures to complete the Iceman Polar 100km ski race in Greenland in four days.

The team were also faced with a storm which meant on three occasions they had to dig for two hours at a time to get to their tent, which was buried under a thick layer of snow.

Mrs Blacklay raised £1,800, but the trust is still calling on people to donate towards her efforts, Visit www.justgiving.com/jayne-blacklay1 to donate.

Business Directory

From plumbers, to restaurants, we can provide you with all the info you need.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.

Advertising

Advertise with the Leamington Observer to reach your audience

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Leamington Observer.