SHE doesn’t know it, but little Sumaya Sajid has made history.
The bouncing baby girl was the first ever nipper to arrive at Huddersfield’s new birth centre.
Huddersfield Royal Infirmary’s Family Birth Unit opened its doors yesterday.
Proud parents Shamama Saeed and Sajid Majeed welcomed Sumaya into the world at 11.20am.
Mum Shamama, of Birkby, said: “It was a really good birth experience and the midwives were brilliant.
“The accommodation is excellent and the en suite facilities make it special.”
Husband Sajid was with his wife throughout the birth.
Birth centre manager Gina Augarde said: “We are delighted to welcome baby Sumaya, the first in our wonderful new centre.
“We were able to provide a calm and relaxing atmosphere for a normal, healthy birth.”
The birth centre provides a midwife-led service for mums-to-be who do not expect complications and who would otherwise be suitable for home births.
It has six en suite birthing rooms with adjustable-height beds that can be turned into doubles for partners staying the night.
Two of the rooms have birthing pools and all are equipped with birthing balls, soft mats, music systems and soft lighting.
The rooms also include a living area, televisions, telephones and baby changing tables.
They have all been named after different aromatherapy oils, which will also be on offer during labour by an aromatherapist midwife.
Staff have been trained in reflexology and homeopathy to help ease pain, along with gas and air.
Women needing consultant care – including epidurals – will continue to give birth at HRI’s delivery suite until all obstetric services are centralised at Calderdale Royal Hospital in Halifax later this year.
