The Maidstone Birth Centre, which has been opened less than five years, has welcomed its 2,000th baby.

Alex was born weighing 8lb 14oz, a first child for mum, Emma Baines, and dad, Mark Sloane, who live in Maidstone.

Miss Baines said: “Everyone was so helpful and reassuring. The birth centre is a great environment and the staff made it the best experience I could have wished for."

She said: “We are so grateful for the support and advice we received from everyone.”

The centre which opened in September 2011 features two birthing rooms, four post-natal rooms, double beds to allow partners to stay and a kitchen/diner.

There’s also a garden room that opens out to a small garden with a seating area.

It cost £3m to build and is located behind Maidstone Hospital in Hermitage Lane.

The mid-wife-led centre was opened at a time when the Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust decided to transfer all consultant-led maternity care to the new Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury.

The centre received only 10 births in its first month of opening, but has become increasingly more popular.

The centre manager Janine Absalom presented a bunch of flowers to Miss Baines to congratulate her on being the 2,000th mother to have been delivered at the suite.

Mrs Absalom said: “Our team are committed ambassadors for midwifery-led care and our facilities support mothers and their families to ensure they have the best possible birth.

“We look forward to welcoming many more babies in the birth centre over the coming weeks, months and years.”

She said that research has shown that for women with an uncomplicated pregnancy, birth centres are just as safe as hospitals. Mothers are more likely to have a straightforward birth and three times less likely to need a caesarean.

They are also more likely to feel happier about their birth experience.

Weekly tours of Maidstone Birth Centre are available for pregnant women and their families keen to find out more.

For more information contact the unit on 01622 220160.