Worth the wait as Rafaellos becomes first to be born in reopened Neath Port Talbot Birth Centre

Congratulations, it’s a boy!

Neath Port Talbot Hospital’s newly reopened Birth Centre has welcomed its first new arrival.

Tiny Rafaellos arrived at 3.50am on Tuesday, 17th September, 2024, weighing a healthy 8lbs 1oz. 

The baby was welcomed into the world less than 24 hours after the Birth Centre re-opened on Monday, after it temporarily closed in 2021, due to staffing pressures.

Above: (left to right) Midwife matron, Rhiannon Griffiths, Isabella and Isaac Olding, and Victoria Lock, community manager.

Proud parents Isabella and Isaac Olding, from Morriston, were delighted that Rafaellos had held on for nine days past his due date so they could use the birthing pool in the refurbished facility.

Its reopening follows a £750,000 investment by the health board and the recruitment of an additional 35 new staff to its maternity service. It comes after a three year suspension of the service because of safety concerns linked to staffing pressures. 

Isabella said she had been hoping to be the first mum to use the centre.

She said: “I was nine days overdue, and because I was late, I was hoping that he would hold off until the birth centre reopened. 

“I really wanted to come to a place like this. I knew it wasn’t available before so I was really chuffed when it turned out it was opening the day that I went into labour.”

Rafaellos wasn’t the couple’s first born as his older brother, Theodore, was born 20 months ago in Singleton Hospital.

Isabella said: “I had an assisted delivery the last time so I was looking forward to something that was a bit more relaxed and straightforward. 

“I knew, after all the research, that having a water-birth with a freestanding midwife, was so much better for second birth.

“I was really interested in all of that and excited to be able to go au naturel with it.

“I knew that the support available meant that it was going to be a better birth than the first, which was still a lovely birth experience but this one was just lovely.”

Isabella was keen to praise the staff.

She said: “I felt very well supported by the midwives. I was able to breathe through contractions, able to just be free and chilled, which was really nice.

“The staff were really supportive. They listened to me. I was just able to relax. I could put on the music that I wanted – we’re Christians so it was worship music all the way through – it was nice to embrace our spirituality during the experience.

“I was really well coached through the whole thing. They supported me really well. I felt that I was able to do it and that my body was able to do it. 

“I doubted myself but they made me feel like I didn’t need to doubt myself.” 

Isabella believes the service is going to be of great benefit to future mums in Swansea Bay.

She said: “I think it’s really good. It’s a great place to empower women to give birth. I think there’s just less complications with it. 

“Obviously, obstetric units are there for a reason, and it’s important that people can have that access, but having something like this was great for a straightforward, low-risk pregnancy.”

Proud dad, Isaac, was equally glowing in his praise of the service and its staff.

He said: “The first time was still smooth but there was a bit more stress, whereas here, we felt a lot calmer. 

“It was nice because they broke everything down for Isabella and told her what was happening, which just reassured me as well. 

“Seeing that she was at such peace with what was going on, really helped me as well.”

Midwifery matron, Rhiannon Griffiths, said the staff were pleased to finally reopen.

She said: “The Birth Centre has reopened three years to the date since it’s temporary closure in 2021, and we are so pleased to be able to offer this option as a place of birth once again for the women and families in Swansea Bay. 

“I’m really pleased to report that we had our first birth at the unit overnight and mum and baby are both doing well. 

“Baby Rafaellos was born in the birthing pool at 03.53am, supported by two of our Midwives, Julie Jones and Laura Pascoe. 

“I would encourage anyone who is currently pregnant to discuss their birthplace options with their community midwife, and if anyone would like to view the Birth Centre at Neath Port Talbot Hospital, to contact the unit directly to arrange this.”

The Birth Centre’s direct number is 01639 862103.