East Lancashire Hospital Trust’s (ELHT) Blackburn Birth Centre has been praised by Davina McCall, who called it ‘the place to go’ for pregnant women.

In the latest episode of her wellness podcast ‘Making the Cut’, which Davina hosts alongside Michael Douglas, the former Big Brother presenter shared some kind words and praised for the centre.

The namecheck came after Great Harwood-based yoga teacher Tessa Clemson gave birth to her second baby at the birth centre last week and shared her birth story with Davina.

In the podcast, Davina says: “[Tessa] sent me a very long gorgeous WhatsApp message that made me cry, telling me the story of her wonderful birth and she went to Blackburn Birth Centre.

“If anybody on here knows anybody up north who would like to have as natural a birth as possible and they live 30 minutes radius of Blackburn Birth Centre do look it up.”

Tessa Clemson, who gave birth to baby Bobby on Sunday, May 28 at Blackburn Birth Centre, posted about her positive birth on her Facebook page.

 

Lancashire Telegraph: Tessa Clemson with baby, BobbyTessa Clemson with baby, Bobby (Image: ELHT)

She said: “What a beautiful place for such amazing moments. We sat with the sunshine beaming in and introduced Bobby and Frances to each other. There was no rush to leave, lots of tea and toast and chatter.

“We are so grateful for such an amazing experience, not just once but twice. Blackburn Birth Centre is a home away from home. I felt safe as soon as I was told I could come in, as soon as I arrived I knew I would be meeting my baby soon.

“Everything was how I’d visualised and the level of care was exceptional. We were treated with compassion and my choices were respected throughout. I led my own birth and was able to follow my instincts and intuition.

“The surroundings are beautiful and the staff are very special. Karen was everything and more. We loved every bit of birth and those first few hours.”

Tessa has featured in Pill Revolution, a Channel 4 show about contraception, which is hosted by Davina.

She was contacted by Davina McCall’s production company after one of her clients, a yoga mum, commented on a Twitter post about using a contraception called Natural Cycles.

Tracy Thompson, divisional director of midwifery at ELHT said: “We are so proud of our wonderful birth centre and the midwives, obstetricians and maternity support workers who go above and beyond to support women, like Tessa and her family, to have the best possible birth experience there.

“Our amazing facilities at Blackburn Birth Centre give women who are not anticipating any changes within their personalised care plan a chance to give birth to their babies in a relaxed home from home environment. These include large birthing pools with other options of pain relief within beautiful gardens that family members can take a break and walk around if the weather allows!

“Congratulations to Tessa, Lucas and big sister Frances on the birth of baby Bobby – on behalf of everyone at ELHT, we wish you lots of happiness.”

Tessa was recently featured as part of a series of inspiring stories being shared by East Lancashire Hospitals Trust in the run up to the 75th anniversary of the NHS.