Nlagmaternity

06/02/2026

⭐️Feeding Friday⭐️

Know your baby's feeding cues

Feed on demand (unless you have been told otherwise from a health professional)

Your baby will need feeding little and often in the early days.

If your baby is showing signs of late feeding cues - try and clam them before trying to feed. You can do this by skin to skin, cuddling, talking, singing and stroking your baby.

Picking up on your baby's early feeding cues should make feeding a calmer experience.

Contact the ask a midwife team for any feeding support, we are here to support you and listen to your concerns.

05/02/2026

It's tonight!

Nest and Nurture, Antenatal Clinic, Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby. 7pm to 8.30pm.

Who's coming?

05/02/2026

🕞Time to Talk day 🕐

What ever time of the day, what ever the reason, talk openly and honest about how you are feeling.

Reduce stigma, improve mental wellbeing, and help individuals seek the help and support needed.

Start a conversation today

💬Text or check in with a friend to see how they are doing
☕Pop for a cup of tea with a neighbour, family or friend
🚶‍♀️Go for a walk with a loved one in the fresh air
📩 Send an email at work to make someone smile
⏰Take the time to ask your family, friends or partner how they are today?

Think about yourself - speak up, open up and break down the barriers to speak about mental health.

❤You are not there to fix a problem, you are there to listen and be patient

We are here for you at the ask a midwife service. If you have a non-urgent concern please reach out to the team. If you have an urgent concern please contact your local maternity unit.

05/02/2026

🤩This weeks Thank You Thursday to all who work in Maternity 🤩

I went in for routine induction on the 20th of December and I ended up with little lady wanting to make an entrance we ended up with a cord prolapse and being rushed to the theatre i ended up losing a lot of blood I can't thank the team for everything they did for me and my baby girl so we could make a safe return home.

You guys should all be so proud of yourselves for the work you do the care and support you give no matter how busy you are.

I may not have got to meet my daughter or come home to my family I wish you could understand the thanks and gratitude I have ###

04/02/2026

🌻Vaginal Examinations🌻

A va**nal examination (also known as a VE) is an assessment of the cervix and va**na.

Informed choice and consent are always obtained prior to an assessment; you have the right to decline.

A va**nal examination involves your care provider placing sterile gloved fingers into the va**na to feel the cervix and birth canal.

It is important to understand the reasons why an examination might be offered;
🌸Assess if the cervix is dilating to confirm if labour is established
🌸Assess the effacement (thinning) and position of the cervix
🌸Asses your baby's position applied to the cervix and the birth canal

In established labour you will be normally offered a va**nal examination around every 4 hours to assess the progress of labour.

Sometimes examinations can bring discomfort for some individuals and maybe trigger emotions from previous trauma.

Please always address with your midwife or care provider if you have any questions or concerns about va**nal examinations.

04/02/2026

National HIV testing week

Increasing testing and raising awareness around HIV/AIDS

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system if left untreated this can lead to AIDS

When you book your pregnancy with the NHS your midwife will offer you booking screening bloods. These include;
🩸HIV
🩸Syphilis
🩸Hepatitis B

It is your choice to have these blood tests however without knowing the results this can have an impact on yours's and your baby's health and wellbeing if positive.

If you have HIV you can reduce the transmission to your baby this will be discussed with your midwife and consultant

www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/pregnancy/can-hiv-be-passed-to-an-unborn-baby-in-pregnancy-or-through-breastfeeding

www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/your-pregnancy-care/screening-for-hepatitis-b-hiv-and-syphilis/

www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hiv-aids

03/02/2026

💥Muscle and joint pain in pregnancy💥

One of the side-effects of pregnancy can be pain or discomfort – whether its abdominal, back, hip, muscular or joint.

Reducing the impact:
💥Avoid heavy lifting
💥Wearing flat supportive shoes to distribute weight
💥Rest when your body is telling you- especially late in pregnancy
💥Keep your back straight and well supported with pillows when laying or sitting down
💥Ensure safe practice is in place for your work environment and change any duties not practical for your pregnancy
💥Use supportive chairs and try sit up straight when on the sofa

Managing pain:
🌟Massage the area to help relieve tension and pain
🌟Have a warm bath to ease muscles
🌟Having a supportive mattress
🌟Attend physiotherapy sessions (your midwife or GP can refer you)
🌟Try light stretches such as yoga, Pilates or swimming to ease muscles and joints
🌟Paracetamol is the safest pain relief you can take in pregnancy. The standard dose is 2 tablets (500mg each), every 4 hours if necessary and with no more than 8 tablets in a 24-hour period.

💥DO NOT TAKE IBUPROFEN during pregnancy. There are a couple of reasons why we advise this, including; links to miscarriage in early pregnancy and after 30 weeks of pregnancy ibuprofen can cause a vessel connecting baby’s heart and lungs to close, preventing nutrients and oxygen from being transferred from the mother to the baby.

You can find further information about ibuprofen in pregnancy by accessing this link: www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Ibuprofen/

When to escalate concerns about your aches and pains;
❗️Doesn't relieve with the above steps
❗️Concerns about your baby’s pattern of movements
❗️Any va**nal bleeding
❗️You think you are in preterm labour
❗️You have a fever or pain on urination
❗️Pain on one side or under your ribs
❗️Loss of sensation to your lower limbs, bowel or bladder

www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/back-pain/

02/02/2026

Change in fetal movements 👶

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXQBBRRu6ks&list=PLyniLAHDXNhvUf-0Scec3iTGJEfXZbp5o&index=4

www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/health-professionals/free-pregnancy-resources/leaflet-and-banner-feeling-your-baby-move-sign-they-are-well

For further information, please visit: www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/pregnancy-symptom-checker/baby-fetal-movements

02/02/2026

20 weeks pregnant or more? Come along to our Nest and Nurture event in Grimsby on Thursday from 7pm to 8.30pm.

Here's what to expect and there's more information in the comments

02/02/2026

Are you 20 weeks or more into your pregnancy? Maternity staff at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby are preparing to welcome you to their special pregnancy event this week.

“Nest and Nurture” will be held on Thursday (February 5) at the hospital's antenatal clinic in Grimsby from 7pm and 8.30pm and you’re welcome to bring your partner, friend or family member.

Midwives and maternity staff at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole FT Trust, representatives from family services at Northern Lincolnshire and North-East Lincolnshire Councils, Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership and child safety organisations will be at the event.

They'll provide information on how to have a healthy pregnancy, a great birth experience and a fantastic start to life with your new baby with safety tips, advice on everything from pelvic floor health to home births and keeping your baby well and safe during those crucial first few weeks and months of life.

“Nest and Nurture” events will be held on the first Thursday of every month and switch between the Antenatal Clinic at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby and the Antenatal Clinic at Scunthorpe General Hospital.

Take a note of the dates below for your diary!

Feb 5: Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby
March 5: Scunthorpe General Hospital
April 2: Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby
May 7: Scunthorpe General Hospital
June 4: Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby
July 2: Scunthorpe General Hospital
August 6: Diana Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby
September 3: Scunthorpe General Hospital

02/02/2026

We can’t wait for our next Nest & Nurture event at SGH on 5th March.

We’ve been so grateful to receive such lovely feedback from our NICU families who we had the pleasure of meeting before their babies delivery at our first nest and nurture event. Many shared how attending helped them feel more informed, supported, and reassured during what can be an overwhelming and emotional time.

Hearing that the nest and nurture event helped make neonatal care feel less daunting truly means the world to us and reminds us why these sessions are so important. We’re really looking forward to welcoming more families, answering questions, and continuing to offer a safe, supportive space where parents can learn, ask questions, and feel cared for should their baby need neonatal care after delivery. 💜

02/02/2026

🤰Change in the pattern of your baby's movements🤰

⭐We advise that you’ll start to feel your baby move between 16 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. You may notice a few flutters at first which may start inconsistent day to day. This is due to the way your baby is laying and where your placenta is positioned. If you have any unexpected pain, unusual va**nal discharge or feel unwell then please call your maternity unit for advice.

⭐If you have not felt your baby move by 24 weeks please let your midwife know.

⭐A regular pattern of movements (individual to each pregnancy) will establish throughout pregnancy with movements increasing until 32 weeks where they should stay consistent NOT reduce.

⭐Recognising YOUR pattern of movements for YOUR baby is important. Let your local maternity unit know immediately if your baby has a change in pattern of movements. This pattern should stay the same throughout pregnancy and during labour – it is NOT normal for your baby to move less at the end of your pregnancy and there isn't a set number that a baby should fulfil in a day!

⭐If your placenta is at the front of your uterus, known as anterior, sometimes it’s difficult to feel baby’s movements. You should however feel something and establish your own unique pattern during your pregnancy. This will remain consistent and any change in your baby's movements escalated to the hospital.

⭐We know that babies move less in the womb when they are trying to preserve oxygen. If there is an issue with your placenta, causing a disruption in flow of blood and oxygen to your baby, you will likely feel less movements so you must get it checked out immediately! Please call the hospital straight away if you feel your baby isn’t moving in its normal pattern.

❗️DO NOT use a home doppler - this should not reassure you as even hearing a heartbeat does not mean your baby is well.❗️

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXQBBRRu6ks&list=PLyniLAHDXNhvUf-0Scec3iTGJEfXZbp5o&index=3