"My heart is full of love": New baby and engagement double joy for Silverdale couple

A Silverdale couple have double the cause for celebration, getting engaged shortly after welcoming their daughter Robyn into the world at the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

Ben Gallagher popped the question to his now fiancé Alex Bowser at the Royal Stoke’s Midwife Birthing Centre (MBC).

The couple, who have been together just over the year, welcomed Robyn, who weighted 6lbs 15oz, on Thursday afternoon.

Reflecting on Ben’s proposal, Alex told us: “It’s something that me and Ben had been discussing for a while, but I wasn’t expecting it straight after the birth. It heightened the experience and emotions, making it doubly memorable.

“It came out of nowhere at the bedside whilst we were going through the questions about names with our midwife Hannah.”

Alex and Ben chose a water birth at the MBC’s new state-of-the-art active birthing pool for low-risk pregnancies.

Speaking about her experience, Alex said: “I was completely blown away by how everything went to how I wanted it. I was very lucky to get the new birthing pool, because of that I felt that my birthing experience couldn’t have got any better, and I couldn’t recommend it enough from my own experience.”

Hannah Askey, Midwife Birthing Centre Deputy Manager said: “Everybody at the Centre is delighted for Alex and Ben, and sends their congratulations on the birth of their daughter Robyn and their engagement. We were really pleased to not only accommodate Alex’s birth preference, but also help Ben prepare for his big moment.

“We’re proud of these new state-of-the-art facilities at UHNM. Our amazing team of midwives work hard to continuously develop and improve maternity services that put the needs of the women, their baby and loved ones at the heart of the quality care they deliver.”

Alex added: “I feel so complete, and my heart is full of love right now.”