THE 100th baby of the year was delivered at Okehampton maternity unit — on Valentine's Day. The hospital's year runs from April to April. Last year, 77 babies were delivered in that time, but this year the tally has already run into three figures. Maternity assistant Nicky Pattinson said the rise in birth rates was due to the increased opening hours of the unit. 'We've been opening for 24 hours a day since November the first. Before then, deliveries during the night had to go to Exeter.' The unit has taken on extra staff to facilitate its new longer hours, going from six to seven midwives and from two to six maternity assistants. Mothers in Okehampton have been delighted at having 24-hour services available locally. Nicky said: 'People love having us here all the time. We wanted to provide a better service and increase birth rates in the area, and it's certainly worked. Everyone seems to be coming to us now.' Baby 100 was Martha Kate Marie Pedley, who weighed 9lb 1 oz. Her mother, Becky, said Okehampton maternity unit had felt like a 'home from home'. 'It's really lovely. They've got a birthing pool there and they go along with whatever you want to do. I was really well looked after,' she said. Martha was born at nine in the morning, so if Okehampton had not extended its hours, Becky would have had to travel to Exeter for the birth. Her last baby, Riley, was born in Exeter — but she said she would never choose to go there for a birth now. 'The rooms at Okehampton are gorgeous — just like a hotel, with private showers and proper little wooden cribs. The midwives have worked really hard to make it a nice place. 'Hopefully lots of people will keep using it, so that we can keep it open,' she said. l See Letters, page 4
