Better Births at Calderdale and Huddersfield

05/03/2026

Here are our maternity statistics for February 2026 Enjoy !!

Our monthly statistics are intended as an interesting record for those who have birthed with us. They do not represent the complexities of individual pregnancies, patient experiences or staffing levels.
We always prioritise safe care and we also support personalised care and joint decision making.

04/03/2026

Sickness and nausea are very common in early pregnancy and in most cases these symptoms settle by around 14 weeks gestation. However, sometimes, this can be severe and is then known as 'Hyperemesis Gravidarum'. Here is information that may be helpful to you. 💜 👇

If you are experiencing these symptoms and they are not settling after 14 weeks, please speak to your GP or Midwife. Try to eat little and often and make sure to keep hydrated. 💜

Find out about severe vomiting in pregnancy, the condition that affects around 1 to 3 in 100 pregnant women. It's also known as hyperemesis gravidarum, or HG.

03/03/2026

Congratulations Molly and family. Thankyou for sharing this lovely feedback.

I just want to thank my midwife Phillipa for all the support she has given me.
Being pregnant at 17 and constantly feeling judged by people wasn't a great feeling, Having Phillipa support me and comfort me when i needed it most and always making me laugh has made it so much easier.
Believe it or not, she also helped deliver me and having her as my baby harper's midwife has been so amazing. I can't thank her enough she's been the biggest help harper will always know her as auntie Phillipa we love you ❤️

02/03/2026

Sensitive, nurturing relationships between parents and their babies are fundamental to emotional attachment and infant mental health. These relationships begin during pregnancy, and can be helped by talking and singing to your baby and responding by touch and voice to their movements.
For more info on the services available to you visit, https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/health-and-social-care/children-and-family-care/family-journey/step-2

01/03/2026

The following advice is for every pregnancy, whether you are carrying 1 or multiple babies. ‼Know the facts about baby movements‼
Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are well. If you notice that your baby’s movements have slowed down, changed or stopped, it may be a sign that your baby is not well.
Contact your maternity unit immediately if you notice any changes to your baby’s movements. This could save your baby’s life. There are staff on the maternity unit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Remember:

⏯It is not true that babies move less towards the end of pregnancy. You should continue to feel your baby move right up to the time you go into labour. Your baby should move during labour too.
👶You should continue to feel your baby move right up to the time you go into labour and during labour.
‼DO NOT WAIT until the next day to seek advice if you are worried about your baby’s movements, contact MAC on 01422 22444392

https://youtu.be/8OgKjzcY5Fk?si=MeZyMa-SBfCxnNmA

28/02/2026

💜 Meet some of our amazing team and see what it is we love to do.

Our maternity colleagues do so much more than deliver babies. They support parents all the way through their pregnancy journey, and after the baby is born. T...

25/02/2026

Are you experiencing pelvic girdle pain?

Many women find mobilising or even laying or sitting comfortably difficult during pregnancy and shortly after their baby is born. If this is you you may find the following link helpful to manage your symptoms.

If your symptoms persist or worsen, please speak with your midwife or GP and they could refer you to our perinatal pelvic health service if required.

The London Maternity Clinical Network has worked in collaboration with Imperial College Healthcare Trust, NWL LMNS, service-user representatives, Maternity V...

24/02/2026

Congratulations Emily and family. Thankyou for sharing your birth story and lovely feedback.

Just wanting to say a massive thank you to all the staff on the labour ward and the antenatal ward for the safe delivery of my son Albert on Valentine’s Day.
Every single person was so kind and helpful with a constant smile and a catchy cheerful attitude.

I’d like to personally thank Pamela on the labour ward for being a real pillar in Albert’s birth. She was tasked with monitoring me since both our heart rates during labour were up and down; she ended up only a few hours later single handedly delivering my baby before I could go in for a c-section!
She stayed past her shift to make sure I was okay and that she covered all bases, she made do with the tools she had so I wasn’t alone, she is a real one woman army and I’m so happy she was the one to do it as I don’t think anyone else would ever be able to take on a task like that; especially so flawlessly.

Thank you again Pam you’re truly a one in a million! Thank you for the safe birth of our boy!

23/02/2026

Antenatal screening and scans‼ You will be offered screening tests and scans during your pregnancy - this link explains the different types of test and what they are looking for, which will enable you to make informed decisions and choices about screening.

SCANS - A gentle reminder to attend for scans with a full bladder. One adult may attend with you. We are sorry but children are not permitted to attend any scans.
If you are unable to attend for your scan, kindly please contact antenatal clinic to rearrange and your appointment can be used for someone else.

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 sites, health centres and in patients’ homes.

22/02/2026

Action point: Wherever possible, avoid contact with people who have infectious illnesses, including diarrhoea, sickness and childhood illnesses, such as chickenpox or parvovirus (slapped cheek) or any rash-like illness.

Why is this important? The immune system becomes weaker in pregnancy, so pregnant women are more at risk of infections. Some can increase the risk of stillbirth and/or maternal and perinatal complications.

Tips:
• be strict about good hygiene – washing hands before and after handling food, after going to the toilet and after sneezing and blowing your nose
• know which foods to avoid
• see your midwife or GP if you have been in contact with someone who has rash-like illnesses, or if you develop a rash-like illness yourself.

https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/infections-that-may-affect-your-baby/

21/02/2026

Vitamin D in pregnancy‼️ Our bodies make vitamin D from sunlight 🌞so at this time of year 🌦 it's more important to ensure you take a supplement.
Some women are more likely to need vitamin D than others. You may have a higher risk of vitamin D deficiency if you:
▶️rarely go outside
▶️always cover your skin
▶️use high-factor sun block
▶️have darker skin
▶️have a BMI above 30.
For anyone within these groups, taking a vitamin D supplement is especially important.

What foods have vitamin D?
It is difficult to get enough vitamin D from foods alone, but there are foods that help your intake.
These include:
🥚eggs
🐠oily fish (salmon and sardines, for example)
🍖red meat
🥣 fortified breakfast cereals

Tommy's websute has more information about how to eat well during pregnancy.
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/nutrition-in-pregnancy/vitamin-d-pregnancy