Birth centre 'must be better promoted'
WEDNESDAY: St Mary's Birch Centre in Melton needs to be promoted much better across Leicestershire both as a place to give birth and for post-natal care.
That's the view of new mum Katie Tomlyn who is backing a growing campaign to keep the unit open.
The Save St Mary's Birth Centre group already has more than 3,400 Facebook members with many parents praising the quality of the service provided by the midwives there.
Miss Tomlyn, from Mountsorrel, said: "As I understand it the centre needs more expectant mothers to give birth there to avoid closure.
"However, not many people seem to know about it, or that new mums who have had their babies in other hospitals can request to be transferred to St Mary's for post-natal care."
Miss Tomlyn gave birth to her daughter Olive Mary at St Mary's seven weeks ago and described her experience as 'wonderful'.
"I chose the birthing centre over a hospital as I wanted a more relaxed atmosphere and the centre encourages active births. My partner and I were invited to look around and I was assessed as a low risk.
"When I went into labour the midwives stayed with me from the minute I arrived until Olive was born.
"I got the water birth I had hoped for and it was a great experience.
"I then remained at St Mary's for four days out of choice for post natal care.
"The staff at St Mary's were second to none - so supportive, dedicated and loving. I could not have asked for more and even the food was fantastic."
Miss Tomlyn went on: "Becoming a mum was a daunting thought, however St Mary's provided me with the encouragement I needed to become a confident parent.
"At other hospitals the standard turnaround time from delivery to taking your baby home is six hours and I believe I would have felt a little lost and overwhelmed.
"St Mary's is a huge credit to the NHS and it really would be a huge loss if it did have to shut down."
Earlier this month campaigners called for more mums to come forward with their birth stories and experiences to bolster St Mary's long-term future.
In March health chiefs temporarily closed the post-natal beds while NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland is currently reviewing how best to deliver maternity services over the next decade and beyond.
* The Facebook site link is www.facebook.com/group.php? gid=106492972707205
Did you have your baby at St Mary's Birth Centre? Share your story by emailing editor@meltontimes.co.uk or calling (01664) 412525.
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Weather for Melton
Wednesday 08 September 2010
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
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Sunny spells
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