12 June 2026
Mum Jodie with baby Zavier
Jodie Carter gave birth to Zavier in the Midwifery-Led Unit at New Cross Hospital, where she also gave birth to her youngest daughter Raya, four years ago.
Zavier, who weighed 8 pounds 5 ounces when he came into the world on 20 May at 8.16pm, was born “en caul” meaning he was still in the amniotic sac, something that only happens in around one in 80,000 births.
Jodie, who also has daughters Rianne 15 and Rivver nine, said: “It’s meant to be good luck according to old wives’ tales.
“I could hear the Midwives say he was still in his sac and how rare it was, but at the moment I was pushing and just assumed my waters had broken in the birthing pool at some point. After Zavier’s birth they told me all about how rare it was and how superstition states that babies born in the sac will be great swimmers!”
“I was never at any point scared and that’s what I love about the MLU and why I was adamant to have my fourth child there because, from my experience with my last child, I remember feeling reassured, comfortable and well taken care of and that’s exactly the experience I got again.
“From the moment I arrived, every Midwife and Student Midwife made me feel comfortable, supported, and genuinely cared for. They went above and beyond to make my experience feel personal and special, always taking the time to check in with me and ensure I was making memories that I could treasure forever.
“What stood out most was how much they valued my entire family. They made beautiful certificates for my daughters, declaring them “Big Sister to Their New Little Brother.” This small but thoughtful gesture meant so much and brought me to tears. They recognised the importance of this moment for our whole family and made my daughters feel included and celebrated too.”
Jodie, a civil servant who lives in Wolverhampton, said she’d had a “very specific” birth plan that she felt strongly about but found herself losing sight of her choices as labour progressed.
“The Midwives gently reminded me of my birth plan and helped me stay focused on what I had wanted from the experience,” she said. “I am so grateful for their encouragement and guidance, as it allowed me to have the birth experience I had hoped for despite the challenges of labour.”
Jodie added: “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to every Midwife and student Midwife in the MLU. This appreciation is not for one individual alone, but for the entire team, whose dedication, professionalism, and warmth made such a positive difference to my birth experience.
“The women and families of Wolverhampton and the surrounding areas who are able to give birth at the MLU are incredibly fortunate to have such an amazing team caring for them. Their commitment, skill, and compassion are truly exceptional, and they should be very proud of the difference they make every day.”