Derriford’s first born returns to the Maternity Unit to mark 21st anniversary

The first baby to be born at Derriford Hospital made a return visit last week to see maternity staff in the lead up to the unit’s 21st anniversary and his birthday.

Adam Jones, who was born on 17 January 1994, was the first baby to be born in the new Maternity Unit at Derriford Hospital, following its move from Freedom Fields Hospital. Last week he came up to the unit with his mum Susan, to pay a visit to the midwife who was working that day.

Midwife Linda Taylor, who has worked as a midwife since 1985, still works on the central delivery suite within the unit, she delivered Adam and is also his Godmother.

Linda recalls how cramped and impractical the maternity wards were at Freedom Fields. She said: “At Freedom Fields, the delivery suites were over three floors and the rooms were so small. I can remember in one room there was a certain way for us to get the bed out of the room.

“The move to Derriford was massive – we had to move everything. It was quite exciting. We were moving from something that was very old and cramped to something that was new and purpose built.”

Susan told Linda she was expecting when she was three months pregnant and said that her due date would be 17th January.

Linda explained: “I said to Sue, that’s the day we’re moving up to Derriford and she said she wanted to be the first one to have a baby there. I didn’t necessarily expect it to happen as only 4% of people actually have their babies on the due date.”

On the morning of the 17th January, Susan’s labour started about 11am. She said: “I had been told that if I was to go into labour before 11am then I would need to make my way to Freedom Fields and after I was to go to Derriford. I waited at home for a bit, having a bath and some treacle pudding, then we made our way up to Derriford.”

Linda was working a late shift that date and came on to the new delivery suite at 1:45pm just as Susan arrived.

Linda said: “I came onto my shift and it was my first on the unit. I remember it being a bit like moving house – you have your cup and a plate but not everything is in the right place to begin with. So here we had the bed, we had a delivery pack – the basics – but nothing was particularly organised or all in its place, as that takes time to evolve.”

Sitting in the room that Adam was delivered in, Susan said: “There were bits that were not ready when I arrived but the basics were all here and the staff were excellent. I can remember being in a lot of pain and the gas and air being unavailable, with the technician even coming into the room to make it work. It didn’t but Adam was delivered safely and we came out with this lovely baby – a perfect textbook baby.”

Susan added: “Just after Adam had been born, I remember hearing a loud cheer outside of the room. I asked why people were cheering and I was told it was because Adam had been delivered, the first baby to be born in the unit.”

Speaking of the birth, Linda said: “It was lovely. Obviously I knew Sue already, we were good friends. It’s an honour to deliver any baby, but one a friend and the first one, it was like it was meant to be.”

Adam, who is in his second year studying criminology at Cardiff University, still has the silver spoon he was given by the hospital to mark the occasion.

He said: “I knew about it as early as I can remember. Mum would always tell people about me being the first baby born at Derriford, including friends at my birthday parties. She used to get the spoon and newspaper cuttings out.”

Adam’s birth made front page news of the local newspaper, the Plymouth Herald and he also featured in the Times/Telegraph and The Sun’s ‘sun spot’.

Adam added: “I would also bring it up in class discussions and would use it as my interesting fact when people asked. It’s nice to have that badge of honour.”

Adam will be sitting exams next week but he plans to celebrate his birthday afterwards bowling or paintballing with his friends.