Works are under way on a new £1.5m midwifery-led unit at St Peter’s Hospital which will allow women to give birth in a home-from-home environment.

The new unit, which will be next to the existing maternity unit, will allow women who have uncomplicated pregnancies to give birth in a less clinical and more relaxed environment.

Consisting of four rooms, three of which will have large birthing pools, the new unit will be run by midwives rather than doctors so it is seen as more homely and relaxing.

Women who choose to use the unit will be able to move around freely during labour and will have to option to use the new birthing pools.

The rooms will also have an en suite bathroom and modern conveniences, including a television and iPod docking station.

To commence the building works, Aileen McLeish, chairman of the Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital NHS Foundation, cut the first piece of turf.

Mrs McLeish said: “It has been a long time coming but I know that everyone involved is very excited at having this midwife-led unit which is a really important development for us at Ashford and St Peter’s.

“We are so looking forward to March when this state-of-the-art facility opens. It is going to be the place in Surrey to have your baby.”

Consultant-led care will continue to be available on the labour ward as the unit will not be suitable for all women, particularly those who experience complications during pregnancy of those at risk of difficulties during labour and birth.