Better Births at Calderdale and Huddersfield

11/09/2025

💜Are you expecting more than one baby?? 💜

We will be offering a NEW ANTENATAL CLASS for anybody expecting more than one baby. This will be an informal session with a mix of presentations, videos and activities with the opportunity to meet other parents who are also expecting more than one baby.

You can attend at any gestation but would be most beneficial in the early stages.

Please use the link below to book your place 👇

Maternity courses for the Calderdale Area

11/09/2025

Congratulations Aimee and family. Thankyou for sharing Leo's birth story with us

On April 11th, I welcomed my beautiful boy Leo into the world via an elective C-section – and honestly, it was the birth of my dreams.

From the moment we arrived, the whole surgical team were incredible. They were so kind, reassuring, and really made us feel included in the process. Having experienced a natural birth with my first son, I was a little unsure how different a Csection might feel, but in many ways I actually felt more involved this time. The atmosphere was calm, respectful, and surprisingly joyful.

One moment I’ll never forget is when the anaesthesiologist took my phone and captured Leo’s very first moments on a Live Photo. Having that memory saved forever – the exact second he entered the world – is beyond special.

We’d been told not to talk over the sheet and to let the professionals do their job, which we completely respected, but they were so friendly and often joined in with our conversations. It felt less like a clinical procedure and more like a team effort to bring Leo safely into the world.

Afterwards, the midwives on the ward were absolutely fabulous. I couldn’t pick a fault with the care (other than maybe the coffee 😂). They were attentive, kind and made me feel so supported. I’ll never forget the comments they made about me being the happiest person on the ward – because it was true. I was on cloud nine, soaking in every second, finally holding my baby in my arms.

Looking back, I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Every single person involved played a part in making it so positive, and I’ll be forever grateful.

10/09/2025

Do you know the basics for safer sleep for your baby?

Here is the link to the wonderful Lullaby trust for all the information you need to know about safe sleep. It is important to discuss this with anybody who may be around when your baby is sleeping, or if you are going away at any point.

The information is also available in different languages on the website.

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/safer-sleep-basics/safer-sleep-for-babies/

You can also look at https://www.basisonline.org.uk/ if you require any additional information.

An easy guide to practicing safer sleep for your baby and reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS, or cot death).

09/09/2025

Congratulations Millie and family. Thankyou for sharing your story with us and lovely feedback to the staff who cared for you


My waters broke the evening of the 3rd July, a day after my due date.
I’d been for a stretch and sweep two days earlier and lost my mucus plug that morning so thought things were starting to happen, me and my husband were so excited when my waters broke at 10pm and rung the birth centre were they arranged for the on call midwife to visit our home as we had planned for a home birth.
24 hours passed and unfortunately my contractions had not picked up enough to be in active labour so although I was disappointed not to be having my dream homebirth we stayed positive and headed into MAC to be monitored as the risk of infection had increased since my waters breaking.
It was a really busy night for the lovely midwives so we had to stay in MAC 10pm-6:30am, the following day to wait for a bed to come free on the Labour ward which wasn’t ideal as I was contracting and so tired at this point but I knew our girl was on her way very soon so tried to stay focused and conserve my energy.
The midwife on MAC, Jennifer was just amazing. Early Saturday morning we was shown our room which was a huge relief, I met my midwife Amy, and began the hormone drip at 10:30am and things ramped up straight away contractions coming thick and fast.
I planned for a natural non medical birth but a couple of hours in I opted for the epidural, however it was going to be a wait until someone was free to administer it. Time passed and when they came around to do the epidural I was already 8-9cm so even though they still gave me the option to have it I knew I was so close and I could do it!
I started pushing and within 30 minutes at 3:32pm our beautiful baby girl Thea was born weighing 6lbs 14oz🩷
I can not thank my amazing midwife Amy for getting me through a very intense labour and birth and the amazing team. I then had to go to theatre with 2nd/3rd° tears but I was on cloud 9 after birthing my baby naturally and the doctors were so wonderful, my midwife Amy stayed with me the whole time.
Unfortunately baby did catch an infection and we had to stay in an additional 6 nights whilst she had treatment but I want to thank all the midwives, student midwives and doctors who looked after us both during that time, for teaching me how to breastfeed properly and being there around the clock for any worries I had and being a constant reassurance.
The care we received was above and beyond my expectations and I’m so grateful. We can’t thank you enough🩷

08/09/2025

For the majority of women (and partners), the thought of labour and birth can be a daunting prospect. When will it happen? How will I feel? How can I stay positive and in control? All of these questions are perfectly normal and as midwives we want to support you through this.

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/giving-birth/5-positive-ways-prepare-labour

Here are some tips on things that you can do to help build positivity as you approach this time. Please speak to your midwife if you need any further advice or come along to our antenatal classes (bookable via https://whatsonmaternity.cht.nhs.uk/). There is also a host of information on the CHFT website 👇(https://www.cht.nhs.uk/services/clinical-services/maternity-services).

If you’re feeling a bit anxious about giving birth, there are things you can do that may help. Here’s some helpful advice from mums who’ve been there.

07/09/2025

Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are well. If you EVER feel that your baby's movements have changed, slowed down or stopped you must contact maternity Assessment Centre IMMEDIATELY. You will be invited in to monitor your baby.

It is NOT TRUE that your baby's movements will reduce as you progress through your pregnancy and approach your due date. The pattern of movements should remain the same until you go into labour and baby will keep on moving throughout labour also.

Please do not wait until your next midwife or hospital appointment. We are here for you 24 hours every single day.

Is your baby moving less? Changes in fetal movement can be important. Watch to learn what's normal and when to call your doctor.Fetal movements can be anythi...

06/09/2025

‼Advice, the Why? & Tips

Advice point: Stop smoking. Smoking affects the development of the baby and is associated with complications in pregnancy and poor outcomes. Smoking can also impact on fertility. The best way for families to protect themselves and their baby is to stop smoking completely. 🚭

Why is this important? To***co smoke contains thousands of chemicals, and many are toxic. They can pass through the placenta to the baby and affect their development. A small baby who doesn’t grow healthily has an increased chance of being stillborn. Smoking also increases the likelihood of a baby being born prematurely, and that he or she will have health and development problems in childhood and later life. 🚭

Tips: The best thing you can do is stop. Stopping at any time in pregnancy will help, though the sooner the better. If her partner or other household members smoke, they should also make efforts to give up smoking too and have a smoke-free home.

We offer free support to quit smoking either by phone or in person with a Maternity Health Adviser or you can ask for referral to your local stop smoking service.🚭

https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/smoking-and-pregnancy/10-steps-your-quit-plan

05/09/2025

Thankyou Jen for sharing your breastfeeding journey with us its much appreciated 💙💜

This is my breastfeeding story. Hoping it will reassure anyone who is finding it tough or inspire someone to breastfeed.

I have breastfed both of my babies and had very different experiences.
My baby boy was born in 2021. I had the usual chapped ni***es at first and when feeds didn’t become easier I had support from community midwives to check the latch. By week 4, I was still being supported by the Ciara from infant feeding team by this point each feed was so painful. I was in tears and had to hold my husband’s hand to start feeding. I would get shooting pains down my nerves in my arm with every suck and stabbing pain between feeding.
A GP then prescribed meds for Thrush and this solved the issue! I ended up taking 4 courses of the meds over 4 weeks to get over it and my gosh was I relieved by this point!!
The thought of not breastfeeding broke my heart so I ploughed on through the worse pain and discomfort but it was so worth it. Ended up also needing to exclude dairy and egg from my diet and we breastfed for 15 months. I loved it.
We both did, he was such a content baby.

Second time round it was much easier as I didn’t get thrush and my baby girl is fine with dairy and eggs. She is 8 months now and we are still breastfeeding regularly through the day and night.
My baby girl was quite unsettled through the newborn period which definitely took its toll on me mentally, I felt our bond was affected by her temperament and that she didn’t enjoy feeding, due to this I did consider stopping breastfeeding as I found it very upsetting but after around 4/5 months she had settled and is the happiest little bunny. She loves boobie just like her brother and due to no restrictions with my diet this time I can see us breastfeeding for longer.

All the best to anyone else breastfeeding, it’s such a lovely period to look back on and you can overcome challenges with lots of encouragement and support.

04/09/2025

Congratulations Demi and Tom. Thankyou for sharing your story and lovely feedback
I just wanted to say a massive thank you to all midwives who looked after us.

I started off on the birth centre where I was looked after by Hayleigh. I stayed the night then went home to try and encourage my labour to progress, when I went back she thankfully was my midwife again. She was amazing, empowering and encouraging. Unfortunately, as my waters went more than 24hrs prior and labour wasn’t progressing, I had to go to the labour ward. This is where Sophie and student midwife Georgia looked after me for the rest of their shift. They advocated for me to the doctors and helped me make informed decisions about pain relief, kept me hydrated and somewhat sane after such a long and exhausting day/ night. Libby, student midwife Emma and a med student (who I’m so sorry I can’t remember the name of) took over and were finally the ones to deliver our baby. They made such a wonderful team giving me the encouragement and power to make it through such a long labour.

I’d like to give a special thank you to my community midwife Jill Norris who supported me from my booking appointment right up until discharging me 2 week after having baby❤️

Most of it was a blur, but I’ll always remember how well I was looked after and I’ll be forever grateful to everyone who helped along the way to bring our precious Martha June into the world💗 11/02/25

From Demi, Tom and very proud big sister Ruby🥰

03/09/2025

Here is information about what screening and health and development reviews will be offered for your baby. 💜

There is also lots of information in your baby's 'red book', which is their child health record. 💜

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/babys-development/height-weight-and-reviews/baby-reviews/

If you are worried about your mood during the postnatal period, please reach out to your Midwife, Health Visitor or GP.

Find out when your baby will have their health and development reviews (health visitor checks), and what happens at each one.

02/09/2025

Congratulation Lauren and family. Thankyou for sharing your daughter with us and this lovely feedback to the staff who cared for you

I went for a sweep and growth scan on the 29th of July and started having pains since then but they were irregular. I had another sweep booked for the 1st of august. Arriving at that appointment I was told I couldn’t have it due to baby’s heart rate been too high, I was sent up to MAC and was told my water had gone without me knowing, due to this I was told to go home wait 24 hours and come back at 3am if nothing progresses.
Nothing did so I arrived at the labour ward at 4am Saturday morning and was sent to a room. Monitored and checks were done and we was waiting for a c section as I didn’t want to be induced. Baby girl ended up passing meconium inside also without me knowing so at 5pm the same day we was told they was ready and went down to theatre. 6:17 baby Darla was born weighing 8lb 12oz ❤️.

I want to thank the two night shift midwives who helped me every single minute that night because I really couldn’t have done it without you.
From having a different first pregnancy and birth you both made my second heavenly.
really can’t remember your names and it breaks my heart because I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. The chats we had the laughs and also the times I was worried and you soothed it.
Thankyou so much you’re both angels sent from above.❤️

Baby Darla 💕

01/09/2025

Here are our maternity statistics for August 2025
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.