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First baby born in new state-of-the-art birth centre at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

06 February 2014

On Wednesday 5 February Chelsea and Westminster Hospital opened a new, bespoke, midwife-led birth centre and witnessed its first delivery when a baby boy was born at 1:59pm.

Photo: A pull-out bed and birthing pool showing the mood lighting

On Wednesday 5 February Chelsea and Westminster Hospital opened a new, bespoke, midwife-led birth centre and witnessed its first delivery when a baby boy was born at 1:59pm.

Baby Matteo’s Mum, Danielle Warshawer, said: “It doesn’t feel like a hospital and lives up to its name as a specialist birthing centre. The care was exceptional; the attention to detail and feel of love and care was instantly calming. It made the birthing experience surprisingly a pleasure.”

The birth centre offers spa-like facilities within the safety of the hospital and comprises of seven rooms, four with birthing pools and mood lighting. The team in the new unit includes midwives and doulas who together support women through birth.

The centre has bespoke illustrations commissioned by the Chelsea and Westminster Health Charity. Illustrator Laurie Hastings was selected from over 90 applicants to design illustrations throughout the centre which complement the relaxing and ‘spa-like’ feel of the unit for parents.

Vivien Bell, Head of Midwifery, said: “We respect each mother’s decision when it comes to how they wish to give birth and as such provide women with a full range of options for their birth plan—from homebirth all the way through to a consultant led delivery.

“We’ve designed the midwife-led birth centre to make mothers feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible. Women that choose this service will have all of their antenatal appointments in the unit, which will provide mothers choosing Chelsea and Westminster Hospital with the continuity of care they want throughout pregnancy. It will be the newest and most state-of-the art unit in London and we encourage women to view the environment and meet our experienced midwifery team.”

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George Vasilopoulos