Bronte Birth Centre celebrates 50th born since reopening | News

Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust’s Bronte Birth Centre is celebrating the birth of baby Charlotte, the 50th baby born at the facility since its reopening in Spring.

Charlotte June Blake was born to proud parents Katie and Luke at the Trust’s freestanding birth centre, based on the site of Dewsbury and District Hospital, at the start of this month.

Katie and Luke, high school sweethearts, living in Castleford, were overjoyed with their experience at the centre. Katie said: "We wanted a natural birth with as little intervention as possible, and Bronte Birth Centre provided exactly what we were looking for. The atmosphere was so calming and peaceful, and the level of care we received was beyond anything we could have imagined. 

“We had a beautiful, private birthing room with an ensuite, a birthing pool, dimmed lighting, LED candles, and space for my husband to stay with me. The midwives were amazing, providing constant support and making sure we felt empowered and cared for every step of the way."

The couple appreciated the centre’s midwife-led care and were particularly drawn to the modern, comfortable facilities, which include personalised birthing rooms, ensuite bathrooms, and the option for music to create a relaxing atmosphere. Katie and Luke also enjoyed the flexibility to welcome family visitors without set hours and the convenience of free parking right outside the centre.

Faye Wells, Birth Centre Manager, reflected on the special moment: "It was a beautiful experience for all of us involved. Reaching this milestone of welcoming our 50th baby is an incredible achievement for our team, and we’re so happy for Katie and Luke as they start this new chapter with baby Charlotte."

Bronte Birth Centre offers an intimate, calm environment for those with low-risk pregnancies who desire an alternative to a hospital birth whilst still ensuring access to medical care if necessary. 

Katie added: "We didn't want a home birth as we wanted to feel safe in a professional environment, and Bronte Birth Centre offered the perfect balance. We felt safe, supported, and in control of our birth experience. The end-to-end care was amazing, and we’re so grateful to the incredible midwives who were with us every step of the way. We whole-heartedly believe midwifery to be a truly noble profession and we would absolutely recommend the birth centre to everyone hoping to have a natural birth - if and when we have more children in the future, we will absolutely be looking to have them at the birth centre again.

“The cup of tea and toast was also the best I've ever had (!) and we were able to add a leaf to the birth centre family tree for Charlotte, which contains a leaf for each baby born at the centre since it's reopening - which was a very special moment.”

To read Katie and Luke’s full birth story, visit www.midyorks.nhs.uk/birth-stories. 

To find out more about Bronte Birth Centre, visit: www.midyorks.nhs.uk/your-birth.