THE HARDWORKING members of the BowraMacksville branch of the United Hospital Auxiliaries (UHA) have delivered a $37,170 donation to the new Macksville Hospital that will be welcomed by expectant mothers.
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The donation has funded two birthing baths in the new Maternity Unit, giving mothers-to-be the option of warm water immersion during labour and birth.
Maternity Unit manager Karen Atkins said the generous donation was a welcomed boost to maternity services in the Nambucca Valley, and one that many women would welcome.
"This is a wonderfully generous donation by the BowraMacksville UHA, who are always working hard to support our hospital and our patients," Mrs Atkins said.
"The birthing baths will give our mums new options. There are many benefits attributed to warm water immersion during labour and birth, not the least of which is comfort.
"Labouring in water can help with pain relief, promote relaxation, conserve energy and provide a feeling of weightlessness.
"The birthing baths will no doubt prove popular with women in labour, and they are installed in such a way that our patient's support network of midwives, doctors and family can be right there when needed."
BowraMacksville UHA president Isabelle Hooper said the donation was only possible thanks to the hard work of the members who volunteered in the Car Park Café and on raffle rosters.
"We are so proud of the effort that has gone into making this substantial donation possible, and I thank our volunteers for their commitment, not only to this project but to the countless pieces of medical equipment we have funded over the past eight decades," Ms Hooper said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in volunteer services at the hospital, including the much-loved Car Park Café, being suspended for the foreseeable future.
"We do miss each other's company, and the hospital staff, but when this pandemic is over, we will be back, bigger and better than before with our new café in the beautiful new Macksville Hospital," Ms Hooper said.
"It will be an opportunity to renew old friendships, and hopefully welcome new faces to our volunteer family."