Newly refurbished water birthing suite helps promote natural birth

A newly refurbished water birthing suite has been opened at Conquest Hospital in memory of a much loved midwifery colleague.

The new £15,000 suite is dedicated to the memory of Rita Waters, a community midwife for Hastings and Rye, who died suddenly in 2013. Friends and colleagues of Rita, including her sister Vera, along with maternity staff were present at a recent opening of the newly refurbished suite.

The water birthing suite has been designed to encourage and promote a natural labour and birth experience. It is sympathetically decorated to create a calming and relaxed atmosphere. It includes a birthing pool looking out onto a giant image of a tropical beach scene. The en-suite facilities have also been upgraded to include a wet room.

The use of water during labour and birth is known to aid relaxation and increase the natural production of endorphins, reducing the need for other methods of pain relief.

Jenny Crowe Head of Midwifery said, “We were thrilled to have Rita’s sister Vera and her good friends present to open this new facility. Rita was much loved and is very much missed. She was passionate about normal birth and we hope the refurbishment of this room will allow more women to experience birth in water and in a comfortable, welcoming environment.”

Emma Chambers Midwifery Matron who led the project to develop the suite said, “We would like to thank all the women and staff who have contributed ideas and feedback into the design and look of this birthing suite. Thanks to everyone who has helped to get to this point from the initial conception to building of this superb room along with the support of the local charity Tomorrows Child Trust. This is a great facility for the women of East Sussex to enjoy a natural birth in relaxed and calming surroundings.”

Tomorrows Child Trust helped gain input into the design from vulnerable families who find themselves excluded from many services because of the nature of their vulnerability. Their website is www.tomorrowschildtrust.org