There was an extra special arrival at Midland Metropolitan University Hospital this week as the Serenity Midwifery Led Unit welcomed its 1,000th baby into the world.
Baby Peter made his arrival at 12.25pm on Monday 12 October, weighing 8lb 3oz, marking a memorable milestone for the maternity team at Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust.
Proud parents Erma Thomas and Peter Chileshe, from Smethwick, were delighted to learn that their new arrival had earned a special place in the unit’s history.
Peter is the couple’s second child and a little brother to two-year-old Lilly, whose own arrival was rather more hurried, with Erma giving birth shortly after arriving at maternity triage.
This time, the family were able to welcome their newest addition in the calm and welcoming surroundings of the Serenity Unit, with support from midwife Jo Edgecombe.
The Serenity Unit is part of Midland Met’s maternity services, which bring together midwifery-led care, specialist obstetric services and neonatal facilities within the hospital.
For Erma, who grew up in Smethwick, giving birth at Midland Met was particularly meaningful. Although she now lives in Netherton, she still has lots of family living nearby and chose to return to the area where she spent her childhood to welcome her son into the world.
Reflecting on her experience, Erma praised the attentiveness of the midwives and maternity staff, as well as the comfortable environment of the Serenity Unit.
“The aftercare here has been amazing,” she said, expressing her appreciation for the support she and her family had received following Peter’s arrival.
The arrival of baby Peter marks a significant moment for the Serenity team, who have supported hundreds of families since Midland Met opened in November 2024.
Designed to offer a comfortable, homely environment for women with uncomplicated pregnancies, the midwifery-led unit provides personalised care and support throughout labour and birth.
Jo Edgecombe, Midwife at the Serenity Unit, said: “Every baby we help bring into the world is special, and welcoming Peter as our 1,000th baby is a lovely moment for the team.
“We feel incredibly privileged to share these important moments with families, and it’s wonderful that Peter and his parents will always be part of Serenity’s story.
“His arrival also comes during Baby Loss Awareness Week, a time when we remember the babies who are no longer with us and recognise the families whose experiences of pregnancy and birth have been marked by loss. It’s a reminder of just how precious these moments are, and the importance of supporting every family with kindness, compassion and understanding.”
As the team marks its 1,000th arrival, the milestone represents far more than a number. Behind every birth is a family with its own story, and for the midwives who share in these deeply personal moments, it is a reminder of the privilege and responsibility that comes with caring for women and their families.
For Erma, Peter and big sister Lilly, however, the most important milestone is a much more personal one – welcoming the newest member of their family.