Killough mum urges women to use maternity unit

Killough mum urges women to use maternity unit

10 May 2017

SUPPORTERS of Downpatrick’s midwife-led maternity unit are organising a baby fair this summer to promote the Downe Hospital facility.

The Maternity Services Liaison Committee has a variety of roles, including promoting what the midwife-led unit can offer would-be mums across the district. The women behind the group — many of whom have given birth in Downpatrick — say the facility has much to offer, with midwives providing excellent one-to-one care.

Ahead of the forthcoming baby fair, Killough woman Seana Kelsall is encouraging more women to use the service provided at the unit which was the first of its kind in Ireland when it opened.

Seana’s son Lochlan was born at the midwife-led unit a year ago and his mum is encouraging other women, including those due to give birth for the first time, to use the facility which has been described by many as “home from home.”

The Killough mum said it is important women across the district realise what a great facility they have on their doorstep and hopes they will use it in increasing numbers.

“You do not have to go to Belfast or Dundonald to have your baby,” Seana continued. “You can have it in Downpatrick and be treated like a queen. The service is fantastic and certainly more personable compared to larger maternity units.”

Seana explained her labour stopped en route to the unit and when she arrived the midwife asked if she wanted to stay or go home. She opted to stay and was delighted she did as within 10 minutes she was back in labour with her son born two hours later.

“If I had gone to Belfast or Dundonald and been discharged when my labour stopped I would not have made it back in time to deliver. It is so important to have a service of this nature on your doorstep,” said Seana, who used hypnobirthing techniques to deliver her son without pain relief.

“Everyone I have spoken to who has had their children in Downpatrick were very happy with the service. Mums should trust in themselves and believe in their bodies and if they meet the criteria for having their babies at the midwife unit I would encourage them to do so. Have trust in the service that is available.”

Seana said she had “every confidence” in having her son delivered at the midwife-led unit and praised the “excellent staff” for the work they do, not just in the delivery suite, but during the ante and post-natal period.

She continued: “I believe the service provided in Downpatrick is much more personable than you would get elsewhere. After Lochlan was born I felt a bit dizzy and had the opportunity of staying the night which would probably not be possible in a bigger maternity unit.”

Seana added: “This is a really great facility and I would encourage more mums to use it. I would also encourage women to increase their awareness of the service that is provided here. I would use this service again without hesitation. First time mums can have their babies at this unit and it is important that message gets across.”

Teresa McDowell, the midwife-led unit’s team leader, said the facility caters for normal, low risk pregnancies, with women continually risk assessed throughout the course of their pregnancy. In addition, she said the facility has one of the lowest transfer rates in the UK with around 14 per cent of women taken to consultant-led units.

The senior midwife said the continual assessment is designed to ensure the safety of mother and baby and to keep transfer rates down to the very minimum. Teresa explained only a small percentage of women who are transferred require a medical intervention and explained the forthcoming baby fair being organised by the Maternity Services Liaison Committee is open to women and would-be mums across the district.

“The maternity group is the baby unit’s user voice and we are delighted with the continued support we receive from the South Eastern Trust. Local women are also every supportive and our first time mums do extremely well,” said Teresa,

She added: “We have strict criteria and you will only be allowed to have your baby here if you meet them. We are now offering hypnobirthing classes and staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also provide an on-call service after 5pm and are delighted with the support of our local mums.”