EAST Surrey Hospital has welcomed the first babies to be born at its new-look birthing unit.
Following a £400,000 investment and the creation of four en-suite rooms, Natasha Tickner, 30, from Caterham on the Hill, and partner Lewis Kitson, 26, became proud parents of the unit's first delivery, baby Danielle Emmie, on May 8.
Heather Hards, from Earlswood, was the first mum to give birth using one of the new pools, to daughter Phoebe Annabell. She said: "Her birth was a very relaxing, positive experience.
"When I had my first daughter it felt very clinical. This time, as soon as I came into this lovely room I felt I could do this. I didn't need lots of drugs and being in the pool really helped."
The 31-year-old was inspired by the bluebell photograph decorating one wall of the rooms when it came to her daughter's second name, Annabell – Anna after the baby's aunt and bell after the blue flowers on the wall.
Three of the new rooms are for low risk deliveries while the fourth is available for high risk patients who would still like the option of a water birth. Soft lighting and walls decorated with flowers and meadow scenes are designed to create a more relaxing environment.
