Water Babies raise £1,000 for maternity unit

The local franchise of Water Babies has kindly donated £1,000 to Derriford Hospital’s maternity department, to allow more expectant mums to be able to choose a water birth.

In 2012, they kindly donated £725.00, which was used to train more staff to conduct water births and maximise the availability of this non-pharmacological method of pain relief for women that deliver at Derriford Hospital, something that they are planning on doing again this year with the money raised.

Kate Evans, who runs the specialist baby swimming lessons in Cornwall and South Devon, organised sponsored pirate and princess themed swimming lessons, which had them diving for treasure, walking the plank and casting a princess wish. 

Dr Kate Evans said: “We are thrilled to be able to support our local maternity departments.  Almost all of the babies who swim with us will have used the maternity departments and benefitted from the excellent care they deliver.

“It is fantastic to be able to give something back to them.  We are delighted that the money is being spent on training midwives to enable more people to have water births.”
Sue Stock, Head of Midwifery said: “The maternity department are extremely grateful to Water Babies for their donation.

“Last year, the training allowed more staff to conduct water births and was a great success. It has had a direct impact on being able to give more women the opportunity to choose water as their choice of pain relief in labour.”

Water Babies also presented the maternity department with a beautiful underwater photograph of Scarlett Hilton, who was born at Derriford Hospital and has been having swimming lessons with Water Babies since she was 3 ½ months old.  The picture is going to hang on the wall in the birthing pool room.