MUMS and midwives helped celebrate the first anniversary of Airedale Hospital’s midwifery led unit.

The unit, which was officially opened in July last year, invited back some of the first mums to give birth on the new unit, as well as expectant mums and dads who are planning to have their babies at Airedale Hospital soon - including expectant mums Hannah Westbury and Carly Dunn from Bingley.

Jacque Gerrard, the director for England at the Royal College of Midwives, was also invited to attend the celebrations.

She said: “It was great to look around the facilities on offer at Airedale and to meet some of the midwives and mums. The emphasis on midwife led care here at the Airedale maternity unit fits in nicely with the Royal College of Midwives ‘Better Births’ campaign which focuses on the promotion of normality for all women.

"Many congratulations to all of the team for reaching this first milestone and long may their success in the unit continue."

Interim head of midwifery Julie Hinchliffe said "The event was a great success and I’d like to thank everyone who came."

The midwifery led unit includes four birthing suites with private decked patio areas, en-suite wet room facilities, state-of-the-art birthing equipment and two of the four suites have large pools for water births or support during labour.