Natalie Weber from Streetly is walking 300,000 steps during the month of June in order to raise money to support Good Hope Hospital Charity’s #BabiesofGoodHope appeal to bring a Midwifery Led Unit to the hospital.

#BabiesofGoodHope launched last month and is part of a £1 million appeal to provide Good Hope’s mums with a new option in how they give birth. The unit will provide a ‘home from home’ environment for women to give birth in, under the expert care of the midwives that they will have come to know during their pregnancy.

Last June, Natalie gave birth to her son Theo at Good Hope Hospital. Speaking of her experience she said: “The midwives were all fantastic, the experience that I had at Good Hope was brilliant and I knew that I was in safe hands.

Baby Theo pictured shortly after he was born.

“During my pregnancy my partner Richard and I went to antenatal classes and discussed the various options for childbirth. At the time I realised that I would really have appreciated giving birth in a non-clinical environment.

“I’m supporting the #BabiesofGoodHope appeal as I want mums at Good Hope to have a non-clinical space in which to give birth. Being in a beautiful room in calming surroundings would definitely be beneficial for women in labour.”

The Midwifery Led Unit will differ from most maternity units in that it will not look or feel like a clinical space. The beautiful artists’ impressions show that the unit will be a peaceful and relaxing space, with options for women to give birth on a couch, in a bed or in a birthing pool.

This gives a ‘home from home’ experience for the mother, whilst the expert midwives will offer them the best care possible. The midwives in charge of the unit will already have built up a relationship with the mums during the pregnancy, so mums will feel comfortable being in the presence of a professional who they know. Should any complications arise during labour, the clinical maternity area and expert consultants, are just across the corridor.

Natalie said: “I couldn’t think of a better way to give birth than in a Midwifery Led Unit. It would be brilliant to have a Midwifery Led Unit at Good Hope Hospital as it will give all of the mums in the area a new option in how they give birth.

Speaking of her fundraising challenge, Natalie said: “With all the good weather that we’ve had I wanted to do something active to raise money for a good cause. It’s been brilliant seeing all of the amazing fundraising that people have been doing during this difficult time, and I wanted to join in.

“10,000 steps a day is a healthy target, and I’ll be taking Theo out with me to keep me company.”

Natalie, Richard and Theo

Theo is celebrating his first birthday on Friday 12 June, Natalie said: “One year on from giving birth at Good Hope it feels great to be raising money for the unit where my son was born.”

Laura Power, Fundraising Manager at Good Hope Hospital Charity, said: “On behalf of everyone at Good Hope Hospital I would like to thank Natalie for taking on this challenge to raise funds for our #BabiesofGoodHope appeal. Natalie is not alone in wanting to give birth in a Midwifery Led Unit.

“Over 25% of expectant mums would rather give birth in an MLU, and we know that when this unit opens that even more mums will take the decision to give birth there. This will only have been made possible thanks to the generosity of fundraisers and donors like Natalie.”

You can sponsor Natalie’s efforts by visiting her fundraising page here.

You can support our #BabiesofGoodHope appeal by sharing a picture of you as a baby, and one of you now, and sharing them with us using the #BabiesofGoodHope hashtag, then donate £5 at babiesofgoodhope.org

Back to news