Successful open evening held at Lagan Valley Midwifery Unit

Red Cross teaching and practice of emergencies of children and babies to mums, partners and school pupils from Lisburn schools

Soon-to-be mothers and their families, health professionals, students, MP Jeffery Donaldson and Councillor Brian Bloomfield attended the event.

Lagan Valley Midwifery Led Unit (MLU) is a stand alone Maternity Unit staffed and run by a team of highly skilled experienced Midwives which offers a relaxed, supportive atmosphere, catering for all women who wish to have a birth with no medical interventions.

Close support continues after your baby is born, usually with a short stay in the unit following the birth, with continuity provided by midwives following discharge.

Caroline Wallace, Midwife Support worker shares her knowledge of breastfeeding with her daughter Donna Mackey who is expecting her first child in the next few months.

A spokesperson for the Trust, “The focus of the evening was to encourage more women to use this wonderful facility which provides a friendly atmosphere, individual rooms and a very professional team of midwives and support workers giving a safe and personalised service.”

The Midwifery Led Unit is situated on the first floor of the hospital and used by mothers who have a normal spontaneous labour which occurs between 37 and 42 weeks.

The mother can have her baby in the unit provided she is in good health, is having only one baby and there have been no complications in this pregnancy.

If a situation arises that medical intervention is required, the Midwife will arrange a smooth timely transfer to a Consultant-led Unit. The Midwife will travel with the mum, providing support on the way.

Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson at the open evening at the Midwifery Led Unit at Lagan Valley Hospital

Active Birth Workshops are also available at the unit for you and your birthing partner which can be booked via your Midwife.

This workshop helps the mother to be to feel more confident about feeding your baby, by giving you information on how breastfeeding works, latching your baby on, and advice on how to prevent some common difficulties.

The best time to take the class is around 28-34 weeks pregnant and is a two hour session. To reserve a place on the workshop, you can contact the Midwife at Lagan Valley Midwifery Led Unit on (028) 9263 3534. You can also visit the unit for breast feeding support following the birth of your baby.

Baby massage classes and a Newborn Healing Screening Service are also available once the baby is born. Massage classes run for four weeks and are available for babies from eight weeks old. Newborn Hearing Screening Service test test will be done within the first few weeks of life.