COLCHESTER General Hospital has suffered its fair share of bad news in recent months.

But the maternity department, thanks to a £1.2million revamp, is on the up.

There are no vacancies thanks to a rolling employment programme.

Juno Suite, which is for low risk births, has been completely overhauled and there is even a new operating theatre for mums-to-be who need a bit more help in delivery.

The hospital boasts five birthing pools, with each room in Juno decked out with scenic landscapes, star lamps and CD players to make parents feel more at home.

But it is not just the physical changes.

The hospital is paving the way nationally by being one of just a handful which are offering hypnobirthing for free.

Mums-to-be can now expect a different experience from what they might have had just a few years ago.

Parents and expectant parents were invited down to see the changes for themselves at an open day.

Will Quince, Colchester MP, and wife Elinor, whose daughter was born at the hospital three years ago, came down to see the changes.

He said: “It’s completely different.

“It’s really encouraging to see the hospital offering a more relaxed environment for people to have a child.

“Colchester does seem to be leading the way with this. I think it would be an even better experience now.”

For a woman who is not experiencing complications to give birth at either Colchester, Clacton or Harwich, it costs the NHS £2,700 for her entire pregnancy.

If the woman is in difficulty or is classed as high risk, then the amount can skyrocket to as much as £5,300 for the delivery and ante natal care.

A decision was recently taken to only open the midwife units at Harwich and Clacton on demand, meaning mums in labour would have to give birth at Colchester if a midwife was not available.

Dymphna Sexton-Bradshaw, head of midwifery at Colchester General Hospital, said: “We are now able to use our staff a bit better.

“By taking this decision it means midwives can better assist women in their homes and at GP surgeries, too.

“But women can still give birth at Clacton and Harwich. There is a number they ring and the midwife will meet them there.”

The hospital is funded for 137 midwives, but actually employs 163 with some working part time.

Mrs Sexton-Bradshaw said: “We are very lucky to have the amount we do.”

The experience women can expect at Colchester is not just down to the staffing and physical changes, though.

For the last few years, the hospital has been offering hypnobirthing classes, where parentsto- be are taught relaxation techniques, as well as the science behind them, to help them through natural births.

However, parents had to pay £250 for the four classes, which have seen more mums able to give birth naturally and without pain relief.

From January, the policy was changed with Colchester General Hospital now footing the bill.

It also has 26 midwives trained in the techniques.

Mrs Sexton-Bradshaw said: “We were the second hospital in the country to offer hypnobirthing.

“I don’t think there is anywhere else in the east of England which is offering it for free now. Things like that are very important and we really believe in it.”

The changes have been brought about and wholly supported by staff.

Jo Osborne, consultant obstetrician and divisional director for women’s and children’s services, said: “We are just trying to be more family focused.

“We have accepted women want to do things as naturally as possible and in an environment they feel comfortable in.

“We wanted to change what was happening on the delivery suite and in particular high risk rooms where they are not able to give birth on Juno, but still want to listen to music.

“Because we have only just started using the pools, we are not sure of the figures yet. But we are expecting them to increase the number of women who have given birth before by caesarean and this time try for a natural birth.

“We are all really proud of what is happening here and to be a hypnobirthing unit.”