IT was smiles all round as expectant mothers turned up in their droves to check out the area's soon-to-open, state-of-the-art maternity unit.

The South Lakes Birthing Centre, which sits on the site of Furness General hospital and cost £12m to build, will open its doors and become fully operational on Valentine's Day 2018.

Packed out tours took place on January 13 and 14 with staff and midwives from the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust tasked with showing excited mums-to-be around the facility and its new equipment.

More than 260 guests came and saw the unit. For many of those the next time they see the centre will be when their new arrival makes an appearance.

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For first-time mum Sarah Leach, seeing the unit was a special moment.

The 36-year-old and her husband, Ian, were shown around with 15 others by practice development midwife Wendy Thompson.

Mrs Leach, who is due to give birth on April 1, said: "It is really exciting and lovely to see such a nice, new facility in the area.
"It makes such a difference to everyone."

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The physiotherapist works at FGH and says she has been closely watching the unit's progress.

"It's just great for the hospital," she added.

Another satisfied visitor was Ulverston's Jane Bleasdale. The 26-year-old believes her little girl might be one of the first born in the new facility, on February 26.

"I'm more excited now that I've seen it," she said.

"It's better than I thought it would be, the rooms are so big and it's just very exciting."

The tour began with a quick visit to see the centre's £70,000 "Sim-mom" doll, or Simone as she is better known.

Gasps filled the room as Mrs Thompson explained how Simone can bleed, cough and simulate birth, to help staff perfect skills for problematic and rare birthing complications - her tongue can even swell to simulate postpartum haemorrhage.

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The groups paid a visit to triage and the assessment rooms on the ground floor, before walking upstairs to see the two theatres in the middle of the unit, the bereavement suite, transitional rooms and the special care baby unit.