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Home About the Trust Press and Media 2014 News and Events 2000th Water Birth at Ulster Home from Home 2000th Water Birth at Ulster Home from Home

17/02/2014

The Ulster Hospital Maternity Home from Home Unit is celebrating its 2000th water birth since the midwifery led unit opened in 2007.

With a UK national average of 6% of babies being born in water, Northern Ireland women are leading the way with an amazing 45% of births in the Home from Home being in water.

Creating a splash were Lea and Des Dickson, from the Saintﬁeld Road area of South Belfast whose daughter weighed in at 7lbs 2ozs. The new arrival has yet to be named, and her two brothers Charlie and Ollie are being consulted on names.

Lea said: “The birth was awesome, fantastic. I always wanted a waterbirth but it was never possible before. It just took the edge off the pain and made you feel like you were ﬂoating. I was able to move about and change position, and the midwives were brilliant.”

The current Northern Ireland Maternity Strategy supports midwives to promote normality in childbirth. Home from Home Unit Manager, Katherine Robinson, congratulated Lea and Des, and said the 2000th water birth is a landmark worth celebrating.

The Home from Home Midwifery Led Unit was opened on 15 August 2007. Designed as low risk labour and birth rooms, all 7 rooms have en-suite facilities and a birthing pool. The maternity services users group were instrumental in ensuring that there was easy access to birthing rooms and were also inﬂuential in designing colours and artworks.

To date 5000 normal births have taken place in the Home from Home which is adjacent to the consultant-led Maternity Unit at the Ulster Hospital, and is one of three Midwifery Led Units in the South Eastern Trust area, the others being at Downe and Lagan Valley hospitals.

The Home from Home staff wish to invite all mothers who delivered in the Ulster Hospital whether in water or on land to join the Maternity Service Liaison Committee Group. The next dates are the 4th June 2014, 3rd September 2014 and 5th November 2014. This user group helps to ensure future services continue to support the needs of families using the maternity services of the South Eastern Trust.

Pictured: Lea and Des Dickson from Saintﬁeld Road area of South Belfast with their new daughter

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Corporate Information Working For Us Publications Press and Media 2014 News and Events January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month MBE for Trust Dietitian New Induction Bay Opens in Ulster Hospital Maternity Unit Trust Leads The Way With Datacentre PODs Consultation on Volunteering Begins in Health & Social Care Free Events for Carers in South Eastern Trust Area Slievegrane Residents & Staff Raise Funds for Charity 'Stress Control' A New Six Session Programme Downe Midwifery Unit Wins National Award Trust Moves to Minimise Impact on Patients Staff Celebrate Winning National Award Love is... looking after your sexual health New Heart Failure Rehabilitation Programme New Weekend Minor Injuries Service For Downe Ulster Hospital Ladies Committee Make Generous Donation to Patients 2000th Water Birth at Ulster Home from Home Be Ovarian Cancer Aware Keeping Safe Awards for Trust Staff Trust Marks No Smoking Day Trust Responds to Inaccuracies in Belfast Telegraph Articles Trust Promotes Nutrition & Hydration Week 2013 News and Events Social Media Access to Information Involving You Volunteering Safety, Quality & Experience (SQE)