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Mums-to-be are set to benefit following a generous donation of a birthing pool to the maternity department at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.
Clare Tebbett, a local photographer from Helter Skelter, donated the pool, worth £157, to enhance the experience for women who choose to give birth at home.
The pool, which comes with a pump and cleverly and compactly folds up into a rucksack, will be used by the Sapphire Midwives, a team of recently established Continuity of Carer midwives who have been introduced to ensure more mums-to-be see their named midwife, or a midwife from a small team, throughout their pregnancy journey.
This is the second mobile birth pool at the hospital, and both Sapphire – and their colleagues the Ruby Midwife Team – now have one.
Maternity Matron Louise Turbutt said: “Water births are a really popular choice for women, as it creates a calming and relaxing experience during birth. The donated pool will be of huge benefit to women who want a water birth in the comfort of their own home.”
Judy Bartley, from the Sapphire Midwives, said: “It’s amazing that Clare donated the pool. It will be well used and will change the birth experience for lots of women in Worcestershire.”
The team hope that the new pool will encourage women to have water births in the calm environment of their own homes, where, thanks to the new Continuity of Carer model, they can be assessed safely by a midwife.
Clare said: “When I gave birth 10 years ago I wanted a water birth but sadly all of the pools were in use. I’m really pleased to donate the pool and hopefully give more women the chance of a water birth in their own home.”
The Sapphire team added: “The Women of Worcestershire can benefit from this kind donation and we would like to thank Helter Skelter for the support given to the Maternity unit”.
