Today was 100 per cent a day to remember thanks to the birth of a special baby boy at Walsall’s Midwifery-Led Unit.
Baby Oscar was born today (14 August 2024), at 7.29am, weighing 7lbs 7oz, and is the 100th baby born on the unit.
Delighted staff held a mini celebration to mark this milestone.
They presented the family with a cake, flowers and baby Oscar with a baby grow reading ‘I am the 100th baby born in Walsall Manor’s MLU’.
Jennifer and Matt Holden are Oscar’s proud parents. They also have another son, eight-year-old Matt, who is excited to be a big brother.
Jennifer, an assistant operations manager, said: “Giving birth in the MLU has been brilliant. Apart from the labour itself which is always going to make you feel nervous, it has actually been a really relaxing and comfortable experience. My first birth was on a labour ward and I much prefer the environment an MLU provides. The staff have also been so friendly and accommodating.”
Matt, a vehicle body builder added: “It’s exciting to know that Oscar is the 100th baby born here and it’s really nice that staff have gone out of their way to celebrate Oscar and us.”
Rickell Bailey, Midwifery-Led Unit Manager said: “This is such a special milestone for all of us who work here in the MLU. It’s surreal to think we have already had 100 babies born here since we re-opened within the Manor Hospital in February this year.
“A huge well done to Eleanor Cooper, Midwife and Jessamyn Townley, third-year Student Midwife who helped bring baby Oscar into the world.
“We are so happy for Jennifer and Matt on their new bundle of joy, and we will always remember baby Oscar being our 100th beautiful baby born here.”
The MLU 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