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The Barking Community Birth Centre has welcomed a very special baby – its 1000^th to be born since the centre opened just five years ago.

Little Sharleen Islam was born on Thursday, 14 December 2017 weighing 7 pounds. She is just in time to enjoy her first Christmas at home in Stratford with big sister Sharleez, aged 5 years, mother Yeasmin Rahman and father Samiul Islam.  

Yeasmin had arrived in labour at the Barking Community Birth Centre at around 8.35 am, and was home with her husband and new bundle by 8am the next morning.

Yeasmin said: “All of the staff and midwives are very friendly, and the centre is quiet and peaceful. I chose it as I wanted the birth to be as natural as possible. Having my own room was also lovely when my daughter Sharleez came to meet her sister.”

Over 1000 babies have now been born at the midwife-led Barking Community Birth Centre, based at Barking Community Hospital on Upney Lane.

Research has shown that women who choose Freestanding Midwifery Units like Barking Community Birth Centre generally have a better birth experience overall, as well as having a greater chance of giving birth without needing pain relief or interventions such as caesarean sections. It’s also been shown that these women find it easier to breastfeed.

Pearl Kowlessar-Manoo, Midwifery Matron for Barking Community Birth Centre at Barts Health NHS Trust, said: “We are proud that more women are choosing our Centre because of the benefits that it offers to mothers and babies, providing a home-from-home environment and high standard of care. My congratulations to Yeasmin and her husband on the birth of their little girl.

“Our experienced midwives are trained in all birthing techniques and the individual rooms are equipped with everything needed to make labour and birth more comfortable including birthing pools, with double beds for partners who are welcome to stay overnight.”

Any woman can give birth at the centre, provided that they are in good health and have had a straightforward pregnancy.  

If you are interested in giving birth at Barking Community Birth Centre you can talk to your GP or midwife.  You can also arrange to visit by calling: 020 3644 2450.