Caring midwives at Serenity birthing unit have proved that it takes more than a pandemic to stop a birthday celebration. Marking 10 years of babies born on the same day as the International Day of the Midwife – 5 May – the unit was pleased to welcome baby number 12,274.

Taking to Instagram to share their big day, the team explained to their followers that although they had a much bigger party planned – before the pandemic – nevertheless they still wanted to mark the day with the age old tradition of tea and cake, to the sound of a newborn baby’s cry. Wellwishers were quick to add their messages of support on social media with one user congratulating the midwives social distancing party photo.

Sarah explained: “Originally we had planned a garden party celebration to mark our birthday but had to change our plans. We wanted to invite families who had used Serenity over the last 10 years, along with staff who have moved on and retired. However, we are hoping to reschedule later in the year or next year depending on when restrictions are eased, and it is safe to do so.

The 10th anniversary was a time to look forward to the future, and in so doing, to remember the past. In looking back to the very beginning and the first baby born in the unit, Lead Midwife Sarah Figg recalled baby Sakinah Mariam Yusuf, who was born to proud parents Donna Corbin and Abdur Yusuf. They were so impressed with their surroundings and the care they received they named their precious girl Sakinah (which is Arabic for Serenity) after the unit.

Speaking at that time, Donna said: “My first impressions of the unit were wow! It is such a special unit and I had a fantastic birth. The midwives allowed me to listen to what my body was telling me and the midwives on the unit have been incredibly supportive. Dad Abdur added: “I think the beautiful environment and positive attitude of the midwives here really makes a difference, which has led to Donna and myself having a very special birthing experience. As a dad, I have been made to feel very welcome and it is great to see a birthing centre like this that has been designed with dads also in mind.”

Serenity has been nominated for a number of prestigious awards including the RCM award for promoting Normal Birth in January 2013, Team of the Year via the British Journal of Midwifery in 2013 and, the BJM Innovation in Practice Award. The unit is also a beacon site for midwifery units.

Speaking of the team, Sarah told us: “Of the original staff from our launch in 2010, myself, Mani Bahia, Amanda Brown, Maike Lehmann-Sander, Helen Powell, Sue Wainwright, Jas Kaur, Anna Kipps, Amie McGovern and Anita Taylor are still here and loving the job we do. We have been joined by many more brilliant midwives and maternity support workers, some of whom went on to complete their midwifery training, in the last 10 years.

“Some of our midwives have given birth to their babies here as well (Jo, Gemma and Anja) and Lynne’s grandchildren were born here. Mandy has attended the births of over 1000 babies and our much loved Helen Giles retired this April after being a team leader for eight years.”