Redland Hospital opens water birthing facilities as part of a $1.73 million upgrade

A new water birthing unit at Redland Hospital boasting three birthing pools and an extra birthing suite opened on Friday.

This is the first time water birthing will be offered at a Metro South hospital and is part of a $1.73 million upgrade at Redland Hospital.

Redlands MP Kim Richards and Member for Capalaba Don Brown opened the new facilities with doctors and staff at the hospital.

Ms Richards marveled at the upgrades in the maternity units since she had her son 26 years ago.

"It is an exciting time for local families who previously needed to travel to the Gold Coast to access water birthing. Now we can offer them the best possible birthing experience in their area," she said.

Capalaba MP Don Brown said the birthing unit expansion included a new birth suite, the refurbishment of two existing birth suites to accommodate the new birthing pools, and a revamped Maternity Assessment Unit.

"The Redlands Coast has a growing population, and the demand for healthcare services continues to increase," Mr Brown said.

He thanked the dedicated staff for bringing babies into the world in a loving, safe and caring way.

It's the personal touches that make the new birthing units comfortable, including soft candle lights on the side of the baths and bedding featuring turtles and whales.

The indigenous suite offers more space for family to be in the room during the birth and is decorated with a colourful mural painted by a local artist.

The facilities is part of expansion works already in progress in the emergency department and includes a new birthing unit reception, refurbished waiting room and a new clinical teaching room.