Baby Jordan became a VIP when he came into the world today – as he is the first tot to be born at Walsall’s newly relocated Midwifery-Led Unit (MLU).
Proud mum Libby-Michele Francis and dad Nathaneal Christou were thrilled to meet their 7 pounds 14 ounces bundle of joy and delighted staff were just as excited to welcome the unit’s first baby.
Libby-Michele, 21, said her Midwife had discussed the possibility of giving birth at an MLU and explained that Walsall’s had just re-opened on the Manor Hospital site.
“It’s lovely there and the staff I had this morning were absolutely amazing,” said Libby-Michele, who lives in Oldbury.
“The room I was in was lush and it was so comfortable and personal, it felt so relaxing.”
Libby-Michele’s waters broke at 5.40am today and Jordan was born at 8.34am.
She said Jordan, whose middle name is Gary, has her nose and ears and his 24-year-old dad’s forehead and now they’re back at home everyone is queuing up for a cuddle. He is the couple’s first child.
Staff presented Jordan with a special babygro acknowledging him as the first baby boy born at the MLU.
Rickell Bailey, MLU Manager, said: “Today was my first shift clinically since the opening of the MLU and what a pleasure it was. My heart felt fulfilled being part of this magical journey with new parents Libby-Michele and Nathaneal.”
Zareen Ghaffa-Manan, Maternity Support Worker, added: ” It was a calming atmosphere. I was happy to have been a part of the first birth on the MLU.
“The Midwives I was working with were amazing and supportive. It was a great experience.”
And little Zadia is the first girl to be born in the unit today, following a water birth.
Mum Juliana Uhuo and dad Ronny Chambers welcomed their beautiful daughter at 3.55pm this afternoon and she weighed 8 pounds 2 ounces.
The MLU, which re-opened on Monday 19 February, was previously a standalone site and feedback shared with Walsall’s Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP), as well as via a survey in partnership with the Black Country Integrated Care Board (ICB), showed that families would prefer an onsite centre.
Moving the MLU next to the hospital’s Maternity Unit means that more birth choices can be offered to a greater number of women. Within the previous unit, only low-risk women – with strict criteria – were able to use the service. These criteria can now be expanded and mean women and babies who may have complications as their labour and birth progress have rapid access to staff who are able to support urgent care.
The MLU offers:
- One to one care in labour
- Three birth pool rooms with en-suites
- Breastfeeding support
- Parent education
- Reflexology (coming soon)
- Calming atmosphere with LED lighting
- Swift discharge directly from the MLU
- Refreshment area with seating