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Home from Home in Drogheda

During the lunch break on the second day of the workshop in Drogheda I had an opportunity to see the new Midwifery Led Unit (MLU). It was delightful!

It is accessed at the end of the regular labour ward. A pair of double doors open into the Unit, and the contrast is immediate and uplifting. The main labour ward offers the usual rather clinical appearance, typical of most I have seen. The MLU is decorated in shades of lemon, giving a bright and airy feel. The furniture is all colour co-ordinated, with simple wooden pieces and comfy lounges.

There are two birthing rooms, each has a large oval pool and en-suite bathroom with toilet and shower. Birth stools, birth ball and mats are all handy and it all looks very cosy. The only thing missing are some tea-making facilities and a fridge, so that some food can be kept for labouring women and their support people. It seems that the Occupational Health and Safety people have been busy in Drogheda, banning adults from using kettles and microwaves - goodness, they might scald themselves!

A Birth Centre aims to be as home like as possible - how on earth can this be achieved if there are no food and drink preparation facilities? I feel sure that the midwives in Drogheda will find some way around this silly impasse - it is the last thing that they need to put in place.

I really enjoyed my brief stay and I wish them every success in this new venture. I know that the rest of Ireland is watching their progress and when women elsewhere see what is available to labouring women in Drogheda, there will be demands for more units of this kind.

Posted by andrea at June 26, 2005 12:17 AM