SPRING has well and truly sprung in Worcestershire, with ten babies born at the county’s new midwife-led birth unit in its first week open.

The Meadow Birth Centre at Worcestershire Royal Hospital opened on Tuesday, April 14 and his welcomed six healthy girls and four happy boys in just seven days.

Building work on the £600,000 centre – which is next to the hospital’s delivery suite in case something goes wrong during the birth – began in November last year in an area of the hospital previously used for triage.

Oscar Louis Andrews was the first to be delivered in the centre, arriving at 8.51am weighing a healthy 8lbs, 3oz on its first day open. Mum Claire from Wick, near Pershore, said: “This is a truly amazing birth centre.

“Everyone involved should be very proud.

“A special thanks to the lovely midwives for all your help and support. You made Oscar’s birth extra special for us.”

Kirsty Harper from Kidderminster delivered her first child, Sidney, in the birth centre the following day. She said: “I couldn’t have asked for a nicer birth centre.

“All the midwives made me feel safe and at ease.”

Also born at the centre over the past week was baby Miles, who arrived on Sunday, April 19.

Mum Laura Icke from Pershore said: “I had a really amazing experience at the birth centre.

“The staff are really calming and make you feel at ease.

“I would recommend Meadow Birth Centre to any expectant mothers.”

The centre, which was officially opened by Princess Anne on Monday, April 13, is staffed by 14 experienced midwives and seven maternity support workers and is intended to provide a comfortable and welcoming environment for women with straightforward, low risk pregnancies.

The centre’s team leader Louise Turbutt said

“We’ve had a really busy first week and everything has gone really well.

“We’re delighted to have helped bring these ten babies into the world.

“The feedback we’ve received from mums and families so far has been fantastic.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming many more babies in the future.”

Among the homely touches at the centre is a tree mural where families are invited to add a leaf representing their birth, which has now begun to take shape.

Up to 500 women are expected to give birth in the centre, which has four en-suite delivery rooms, three with birthing pools, and 1,000 the year after.