The Midwifery Led Birthing Unit (MLBU) at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) first opened it's doors on August 8th 2011. The MLBU offers women who are healthy with a straightforward pregnancy a home-from-home environment in which to have a natural birth.

One year later, on 8th August 2012 at 7.31am, Gemma Davison, aged 27, from Norwich gave birth to Cody Jarmy weighing 3.68 kg who was the 1187 baby have been born on the unit.

Gemma said "I am very grateful to the midwives who gave me great support. My overall experience was amazing."

The unit is on the hospital’s Blakeney Ward and has four birthing rooms named Lavender, Lotus, Jasmine and Rose and three birthing pools. 50percent of women coming to the MLBU are opting to have a water birth and the majority of women are using water at some stage to help to help them manage their labours".

Julie Mansfield, MLBU Team Leader said "the philosophy of the new midwifery-led birthing unit is to give one-to-one care and support to women throughout the process of birth naturally and without intervention and has the advantage of having medical assistance nearby should the need arise and this has proved to be a great success for the unit".

On Saturday 15th September there will be an official birthday party to celebrate success of the MLBU. This event will also be a fundraising event for the unit.

Notes for editors

From Left to right
Linda Ballard (Maternity Care Assistant) , Shane Jarmy - (father of baby), Jess Whitty (Midwife who assisted Gemma) ,
Gemma Davison & baby Cody, Karen Dunlop (Midwife) Julie Mansfield (Midwife – Team Leader)