A bonny baby boy named Charlie has become the first child to be welcomed into the world in new facilities at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

Charlie Flackett, weighing eight pounds and eight ounces, was born just after midnight on Wednesday morning (May 4) to second time parents Jennifer and Oliver Flackett, who live in Upton, Chester, in the newly-refurbished high risk labour and delivery room.

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This room, equipped with mood lighting and water-birth facilities, has been designed for those women who are classed as high risk and as such require additional monitoring during labour.

The new high risk labour and delivery room at the Countess is equipped with mood lighting and a water-birth unit

The room supports and encourages women to achieve a normal birth in a more welcoming and homely environment; while being safe in the knowledge they are being monitored and any medical interventions can be carried out if necessary.

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Charlie’s mum Jennifer, who required constant monitoring during her labour, said: “It was like being in a hotel room; less hospital like and more relaxing. I didn’t have the option of a water-birth with our first child and this really helped take the pressure off my back – so much better than being in bed.”

Countess of Chester Hospital

About half the women who give birth at the Countess are classed as high risk and require monitoring throughout labour.

Dad Oliver commented: “It didn’t feel like we were in a hospital, it was about as relaxing as this situation can be.”

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Julie Fogarty, head of midwifery, added: “We are celebrating International Day of the Midwife today, which highlights the fantastic work midwives do all year round. This year’s theme is Women and Newborns: The Heart of Midwifery and we are delighted that our newly refurbished dedicated high risk labour and delivery room is already making a difference to the women and babies we care for.”

May 5 is the internationally recognised day for highlighting the work of midwives. The International Confederation of Midwives launched the initiative formally in 1992.