Better Births at Calderdale and Huddersfield

21/10/2025

Congratulations Rachel and family. Thankyou for sharing your experiences with everyone and lovely feedback for the staff who cared for you

I’ve had 5 children with Calderdale and wouldn’t dream of going elsewhere even though I’m from Bradford.
L was born in 2016 and the midwives were amazing in allowing my other 3 children to be present. We sat and discussed it, made a birth plan and risk assessments.
I’d planned everything including “what ifs” and I think this preparation was what convinced them the children would be well behaved when attending.
Everything went well and the midwife was lovely, the children all had a job each (first cuddle after parents, first nappy, cutting cord) it was a lovely experience.

Our latest addition (sized next to the Oasis bottle) was born October 2024, Mr Carroll was my consultant and i couldn’t have asked for a more caring and funny person. He listened to all issues and we devised a plan together so I knew what to expect and when.

20/10/2025

A lot of people believe smoking helps with stress. But, evidence tells us that it actually makes things worse for you physically and mentally in the long run.

The good news? Research shows that quitting smoking will improve your mental health, lift your mood, and lower anxiety. When you quit smoking, your body and mind get a chance to heal. You will feel better physically and your mood will improve.

You can do this!!

A lot of people believe smoking helps with stress, but it actually makes things worse for you physically and mentally in the long run.

19/10/2025

Congratulations Beth and family. Thankyou for sharing your story and lovely feedback for the staff

Huge thank you to all the midwives who cared for me and baby Rita on 10th July!

We arrived at MAC at around 5:30pm after my contractions started an hour and a half prior, midwife Chloe examined me to find that I was 9cm dilated! I was swiftly transferred to the labour ward to midwives Lily and Susanna who got me prepped, even putting my hair up for me because I didn’t even have time to think!
They then swapped with Bethany and Sarah, and Natalie also stepped in last minute who all helped me welcome Rita into the world at 9:29pm.

The aftercare from Bethany and Sarah was brilliant, a nice touch was that they gave us as much time as we needed in the labour ward to spend together as a family, before being transferred to the postnatal ward, I’ll always remember those precious moments.

I have always feared childbirth and hoped for a natural birth with little intervention, and had they not believed in me I wouldn’t have got the experience I wanted.

I’d also like to thank Emma in the postnatal ward who’s care was brilliant, even helping me express milk to give to my baby when I was struggling with breastfeeding. Another thank you to student midwife Charlotte on the postnatal ward for my 2nd helping of tea & toast. Me and my husband are utterly grateful for everyone 💕

18/10/2025

We frequently talk about the importance of 'pelvic floor health and exercises' before, during and after pregnancy but do you really know what they are and why they are so important?

Our wonderful physio colleagues have provided some really helpful information on our patient facing website. Please use the link below to access all you need to know about how to ensure the best pelvic health through your pregnancy journey and beyond.

We employ around 6,000 staff who deliver compassionate care from our two main hospitals, Calderdale Royal Hospital and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary as well as in community sights, health centres and in patients’ homes.

17/10/2025

- Thankyou Chloe for sharing this lovely feedback to the staff who cared for you and your family

Please could you share and shout out a massive thank you to all Staff🫶
Our NICU journey was fortunately a short one but one that changes us forever.

When you google the term “NICU”, it is described as an intensive care unit for premature and ill newborns, but it’s so much more than that.

-It’s a place where the walls hear more prayers than most churches.
-It’s hearing an alarm from across the room and your heart drops even though you know it’s not your baby’s monitor.
-It’s uncomfortable chairs and rocking your baby for hours.
-It’s breaking down in front of complete strangers because you couldn’t hold it together any longer.
-It’s being completely exhausted but still showing up for your baby anyway.
but it’s not all bad..
-It’s walking in after a weight check and being told we’ve gained weight.
-It’s watching miracles unfold right before your eyes.
-It’s dancing inside when you go without a bad day,
and it’s finally walking out of those doors for the last time with your baby.

The NICU is full of warriors. tiny fighters who weigh just a few pounds, yet carry the strength of giants.

So if you’ve never stepped foot into a NICU, i hope you’ll carry a little awareness with you this month for the babies who are fighting, for the parents who are praying, and for the staff who become family.

16/10/2025

Take a look at our You Tube playlist to find out more about:-
Giving Your Baby the Best Start
Accessing My Pregnancy Notes
Tests and Checks for your Baby
and lots more ....

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

15/10/2025

Please join us to remember all of those precious babies that have been lost, by lighting a candle in a 'Wave of Light.'

15/10/2025

for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2025. Tonight we light our candles to remember all the babies we have carried but never held, held but could not take home, and those who transitioned to angels from our arms. They live on in our hearts and minds, never forgotten, always loved.
The mothers, fathers and families of the following babies are very much in our thoughts tonight and always ...

Baby Mitchell-Stray 10/10/25💖
Rudy Grey Marsh 27/09/25 💙
Baby Stock 23/09/25 🤍
Baby Hunton 06/10/25 💖
Delilah Theodora Selway 03/10/25🩷
River Booth 28/08/25 💜
Ahmed Ibrahim 21/08/25 💙
Henry James Beattie 18/05/2025🩵
Rosie & Lottie Lea Wilson 💖💖 14/03/25 Little twinnies ❤️
Ronnie John Luke Mcdonagh 12/03/25 💙
Isaac Stephen & Luca Aidan Fielden 09/01/25 💙💙
Riley Leeman 06/01/25 💖
Baby Berry Fleming 23/12/24 ❤️
Baby Ogden 23/08/24 💖
William Stuart Reid 07/08/24 💙
Arlo Przybyski 30/07/24 💙
Baby Jackson Myers 04/24 🤍
Dottie Lloyd 28/03/24 💜
Rory Don Mitchell 22/03/24 💙
Baby Dawson 06/03/2024 💛
Luna Elizabeth Carney 26/02/24 🩷
Reuben James Carney 26/02/24 💙
Theodore Ganegoda 02/12/24 💖
Noah Samuel Moore Norman 27/01/24 💙
Oscar Knowles 22/12/23- 06/01/24 💙
Baby Southern 31/12/23 🤍
Remi Lou Donohue 03/12/23 💜
Rudi Jay Donohue 03/12/23 💙
Raya Hallie Donohue 03/12/23 🩷
Baby Southern 11/11/23 🤍
Teddy Vickers 02/09/23 💜
Baby Shaw 11/09/23❤
The Horsley twins 24/07/2023 ❤️❤️
Baby Robinson 02/06/23 💖
Phoebe Maeve Jones, 15/05/23 🤍
Edison Thomas Heptinstall 14/12/22 💙
Baby Lynch 10/12/22 ❤️
Charlotte Lucy Sutcliffe 08/06/22 - 25/12/22 🩷
Azai Edwin Hanson 14/10/22 💙
Mila Renee Starkey 12/10/22 🩷
Sawyer Sutcliffe 29/08/22 💙
Theo Hinton born sleeping 13/08/22 💙
Beatrice Fielden 17/05/22 💗
Lincoln Sroka 07/04/22 💙
Hallow Robinson 31/10/21 💜
Amelia Rose Peel 14/08/21 💓
Cassius Joseph Hardy 11/05/21 💜
Shay Speck 03/04/21 💜
Gabriel Beams 17/03/21 Forever missed 💙
Baby Kinder 3/3/21 💜
Pisces - March 2021💜
Elizabeth Morrison 27/02/21 🩷
Ethan Joseph Gray 17/02/21 💙
Albi Parkinson born to soon 09/02/21 💜
Gabriel Bishop 10/01/21 💙
Baby Kinder 20/12/20 💜
Baby Dixon 28/7/20 💜
Arlo Thomas Wilkinson - 10/6/20 💙
Charles Louis Alexander 13/05/20 💙
Evelyn-Rose Sheard 11/05/20-15/05/20 💖
Baby Calcraft 09/05/20 💜
Baby Abel 9/5/20 💜
Baby Dixon 6/4/20 💜
Baby Jackson Myers 03/20 🤍
Baby Abel 6/3/20 💜
Roman King 11/02/2020 💙
Charlie Horsfall 17/01/20 💙
Baby Lord 30/12/19 💜
Rosie Elizabeth Gavric 25/12/19 💗
Baby Addy 24/12/19 💜
Theo Royle 19/12/19 💙
Baby H 6/12/19 💜
Rosie Heywood 10/10/19 💗 & Baby Heywood 💜 28/02/20
George & Freddie 09/08/19 💙💙and our little cookie dough 04/04/21 💜
Baby G 15/07/19 💜
Jakob Jai Zabrocky 11/07/19 💙
Baby Galloway 01/07/19 💜
Willow Rose Gant 20/02/19 💗
Charlotte Rose McLaughlin 08/11/18 💖
Baby Pearson 4/12/18 💜
Kaben Goggin 08/11/18 💙
George Oliver Doyle 25/10/18 💙
Frances Grace Hicks 08/10/18 💗
Miley Aurora 13/7/18 💙
Twin Cavalier Boys 8/06/18 💙💙
Edward Shoghi 20/04/18 💙
Adriana Lillie Burston 16/04/18 💗
Emily Douthwaite 02/06/18 💜
Irvine Jack Turner 31/12/17 💙
Betsy Anne Calcraft 04/11/17 💓
Ruby Rae Mclaughin 06/01/17 💜
Pixie Luna 14/12/16 - 18/12/16 💖
Lily-Mae 05/11/16 💜
Autumn Enright 31/10/16 💗
Tommy Robert Davis 13/08/16 - 19/08/16 💙👼
Kaleb-Raees 08 June 2016 ❤️
Beau Alexander 06/06/16 loved beyond measure 💙
Tahlia Jacqueline Kemp 09/05/16 💗
Blossom Emily Hepworth 31/03/16 💓
Baby Derry 16/1/16 💜
Robin Barrow 14/01/2016 💖
Erin Rose Pearson 10/11/15 💗
Joey Harry Davis 17/10/15 💙
James Patrick Friend 15/10/15 💙
Orla May Derry 19/08/15 💓
Keigan Mcfarlane 01/06/15 💙
Jonas John Robert Garnett 08/05/15 💙
Alice Elizabeth Cranston 10/04/15 🩷
Isla Grace Williamson 04/01/15🩷
Baby Acorn 28/09/14 💜
Baby Squidge 08/08/14 💜
Thomas Winston Hine 14/05/14 💙
James Keaveney 17/3/14 💙
Baby Marsden 22/10/13 💜 my little star, forever in my heart
Pippa Brooke Power 20/09/13 💓
Peter Garvey 10/02/13 💙
Baby Thorpe April 2013 💖
Baby Burton (Dottie) 18/12/12 💜
Logan Dixon Turner 08/07/12 💙🤱 *together again with his mummy Sharon who was Chair of SANDS and supported our Saving Babies Lives workstream*
James Jack Derry 18/11/11 💙
Ryan Andrew 28/5/11 💙
Twins Evie and Georgia 19/02/11 💓💓
Tyler Paul White 13/09/10 💙
Zackery Daniel Pinder 25/4/10 💙 loved and remembered always
Daniel Richardson 05/11/2009 💙
Baby Ashley 19/11/09 💜
Casey-Leigh White 20/09/09 💜
James Marren 16/7/08 💙 born too soon
Baby Jovic 26/12/06 💖💫
Matthew Garcia-Vazquez 26/11/05 💙
Katie Louise Danforth 20/05/04 💓 forever our baby, always our angel
Oliver Battye 1/4/03 💙
Megan Louise Keane 17/03/1999 🩷
Jessica Louise Webster 12/05/98 - 15/05/98 🩷
Jack Giles Howard 04/06/96 💙💫
Chelsea Louise Durkin 31/05/1993 💜
Johnathan James Finlay and Jennifer Rebecca Finlay 07/03/92 💓💙
Baby Gareth 💙
Thalia Eve 💗
Baby C 💜
Baby Flynn 💜
Baby H 💜
Baby WD 💜 "Just too special for earth"

Admins: we sincerely hope we didn't miss anyone and will copy these babies for next year's post if that's ok, please let us know if not. It's an emotional and important piece of work for us. Love and light to you all and your little shining stars ✨✨

14/10/2025

As we approach the final days of Baby Loss Awareness Week, we wanted to let you know about another support network for families who have experienced pregnancy and baby loss. Our wonderful collegues at 'Talkthru' are available to offer support and advice where needed.

Please visit their website if you feel that you would benefit from some assistance, or just see what services they can offer and if they are right for you..

Tomorrow (15th) you are all invited to light a candle to remember all of the precious babies.

Talkthru is a leading pregnancy counselling centre in Huddersfield, UK. We offer free, compassionate support for pregnancy loss and a safe space to discuss your concerns. We're here to help you navigate your journey with expert care and understanding.

13/10/2025

The wonderful Tommy's Charity have developed a guide for people who are supporting anybody who has experienced pregnancy or baby loss. These conversations can be incredibly difficult and finding the right words may feel impossible.

Helping you find the words to talk to someone who's had a miscarriage, stillbirth or any other type of baby loss, or who has a premature baby or a baby in NICU.

12/10/2025

Our Rainbow Clinic 🌈 was started on 18th May 2021 led by Consultant Julie Goddard and Bereavement Midwife Sarah Hall (pictured) The 🌈service is offered to pregnant women who have experienced previous pregnancy loss after 16 weeks, or the death of their baby
🤰Eligible women can be referred to the 🌈clinic by their community midwife, and appointments are offered from 8-9 weeks with follow up care based on individual needs.

🌈This is some of the feedback:
"Your support and the offering of regular scans helped me massively during my pregnancy"

"As soon as he arrived and was put in my arms, I felt like I could finally breathe again and he is perfect"

"I'll never forget how you listened to everything all my concerns and all my grief"

"I always say to people, that I hate that I know you, but I couldn't do it without you"

11/10/2025

We don't want to make anyone feel guilty or ashamed because they are addicted to to***co, but we do want to prevent families from suffering the loss of a baby, especially when we know we could help to change the outcome.

It's our duty of care, to inform parents that smoking during pregnancy is a significant risk factor for miscarriage, stillbirth and sudden death in infancy. It is in fact the only 'modifiable' risk factor -- that is, something you can change to reduce the risk - and we can help you to do this.
If you're still not sure, this is the reality - our data tells us that 1 in 10 mothers smoke at the time of birth but where babies are stillborn, we find that 4 in 10 mothers have smoked during pregnancy.

A baby relies on it's mother to provide all the oxygen and nutrients it needs to grow. To***co smoke contains carbon monoxide (CO) which is a poisonous gas, and also contains other toxic chemicals which are life threatening to the baby! This gas takes away some of the baby's oxygen, harms the placenta and stops baby from growing to it's full potential. This is why babies of mothers who smoke...

- are generally smaller than they should be
- have increased risk of being born prematurely
- are more likely to be admitted to NICU and/or a longer hospital stay
- have increased risk of being miscarried or stillborn
- have increased risk of sudden unexpected death in infancy (SIDS/SUDI)


FREE non-judgmental support is available to help pregnant mothers quit smoking, and we can also arrange support for family members who smoke. Please get in touch with one of our friendly Maternity Health Advisers, Naomi (07342079749) or Lucy (07342078511) who can explain your options.
We are here to help.