Published: Tuesday, 18th November, 2008 09:30
Baby boom at the Vale
By Lorna Caitens
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The new mums with Fiona and Michelle in the front row with daughter Leah and son Paul
Pic by: Stewart Robertson
MORE first-time mums than ever before are choosing to give birth at the Vale of Leven Hospital.
The increase in numbers follows a movement towards more promotion of the benefits of having a baby at the Community Midwifery Unit (CMU) by health bosses.
It is a positive change for the facility, which earlier this year had the threat of the axe hanging over it.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (GGC) chiefs wanted to relocate the birthing service to the Royal Alexandra Hospital, in Paisley, only retaining pre and post-natal care at the Vale.
However, nurses questioned the level of publicity the unit had received since its launch, and following a 12-week consultation, GGC handed the CMU a reprieve for three years.
The decision seems to be paying off.
More and more mums from Dumbarton and the Vale are now choosing to give birth at the community hospital.
And in a first for the CMU, five women gave birth over just one weekend.
New mums, Fiona Nicholson and Michelle Methven, were amongst the new parents who chose the midwife-led facility.
And in the same weekend Jennifer Wight, Sinead Isle and Aisling Milne all opted for the CMU.
Lesley Garry, CMU team leader, told the Reporter the tide is turning for the Alexandria unit. She said: “We are delighted we have had so many deliveries over the September weekend and it is especially pleasing since they were all first-time mums.
“We are seeing more and more first-time mums delivering at the CMU and we hope this positive trend will continue.”
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