It’s nearly the end of 2015 and we thought we’d spend the next 12 days sharing some stories and successes from the last year from across the Trust, as well as some useful tips to stay healthy in 2016.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year.

On the fifth day

The Netherbrook Midwifery Led Unit at Solihull Hospital celebrated its fifth birthday this year.

Named through a combination of the names of the first two maternity units at Solihull, Netherwood and Brookhouse, the unit officially opened back in the summer of 2010 to offer more choice for local mums-to-be with low risk pregnancies.

Five years on, more than 1,400 natural births have been delivered with over half of the women using the unit opting to have water births.

The unit at the hospital has offered mums-to-be the opportunity to have a natural birth with facilities such as a birthing pool, birthing balls and outstanding postnatal care. Private room facilities and the option for partners to stay overnight are offered.

Karen McGuigan, midwifery matron for the unit, said: “Our midwives offer one to one care in labour, providing physical and emotional support and as a result women have been having very positive birthing experiences. We believe that the unit offers women and their families a supportive environment and we look forward to continuing to provide this valuable service to our local community in the future.”