Hull Women and Children's Hospital

18/09/2025

❤Thank You Thursday ❤

I just wanted to share some feedback and just say a massive thankyou to some of the amazing people who took care of me.

I was booked in for an elective c section on the 14/08 after losing 2 litres of blood during my first birth. Throughout the pregnancy I felt really worried about giving birth and experiencing the same situation.

From the second I set foot on the ward Joanna was looking after me, she calmed all my anxiety and really was so caring. She came with me for my c section and captured the most amazing photos of the moment our daughter entered the world💗 she looked after me in recovery and was just amazing. You can see how much she cares about her job and the people she is looking after.

Ali was my midwife, again from the moment I met her she made me feel looked after and cared for. She acknowledged my fears and talked me through everything, whilst we were in theatre she was keeping me informed of what was going on and constantly reassuring me and letting me know things were all ok and going to plan.

Ali and Joanna both made an experience I was honestly dreading amazing. This birth was so so positive and I am just so happy I had the elective c section and had the care from the two of them that day. They’re amazing at their jobs.

I also wanted to shout out a few other people who looked after me after the c section and again made me feel cared for and made the hospital experience as positive as it could be. Christina who was in recovery with me afterwards and then on rowan ward, Alicia, Mel, Cara, Beatrice and a big thanks to Laura who was amazing to me during one of my nights when I wasn’t feeling great at all.

It’s so lovely to now have had a birth I can look back at with such positivity instead of fear.

17/09/2025

Come and join us at the Women and Children’s Hospital and learn about labour, birth, baby and more!

📹 Please be aware we will be filming some aspects of the event and you may appear in the background.
📹 We will ensure that everyone has the choice of whether to be included in any of filming.

We look forward to seeing you there 🥰

17/09/2025

👶Umbilical cord Care👶

🌟When your baby is born they will have part of the umbilical cord attached to where there belly button will be formed.

🌟Sometime after birth your baby's cord will be clamped and cut, this does not hurt your baby.

🌟The clamp will be left attached to the umbilical stump around 2-3cm in length, the clamp is to prevent further bleeding from the cord.

🌟Once your baby is born the cord no longer has a purpose to provide your baby like it did in utero.

🌟The cord will heal and dry up normally within the first couple of weeks. Once the cord comes away it might take another couple of weeks for the area to heal.

🌟The site of the cord should be checked daily to ensure there is no sign of infection. An infection might look red, swollen, inflamed and/ or yellow/ green discharge. If your baby has a fever or is unwell escalate this urgently to your health care provider including the hospital, GP, midwife, 111.

🌟Try keep the area clean and dry by keeping the cord and clamp out of the nappy.

🌟The cord only needs cleaning if visibly dirty or contaminated with urine or poo. Cooled down boiled water will help keep the area clean.

🌟You may notice a couple of drops of blood as the cord detaches from the body, this is known as a slight separation bleed. If bleeding continues, any yellow oozing or redness to the area this should be escalated to a health professional.

16/09/2025

💦Urinary catheter 💦

A catheter might be advised at different stages in your labour or pregnancy should there be a medical requirement. During your labour we encourage you to drink fluids to keep hydrated. We monitor that your bladder is also emptying so it does not impact your progress in labour. This is normally encouraged every 4 hours.

A catheter can be used to help drain your bladder if you are unable to do so. This can be an in and out catheter (Intermittent) or a continuous catheter which remains in place by a small water filled balloon until it is no longer required. A catheter can be used to help protect your bladder from damage or over filling.

A catheter may be suggested with:

- A caesarean section

- An instrumental birth

- Epidural analgesia if your are unable to pass urine

- Unable to pass urine in pregnancy, labour or the postnatal period

- Loss of bladder control or sensation (short term catheter until sensation returns)

- Perineal trauma such as 3rd or 4th degree tears

✨Having a catheter can slightly increase your risk of infection; so the health care professional will want to ensure they are only used if required. The procedure is a clean and sterile procedure which should lower your risk of infection.

✨Catheters only stay in for the purpose of treatment then they can be removed. Always ask your midwife or doctor for advice on care with a catheter to know your expectations of your care.

✨In rare cases you may have to go home with a catheter in place and return for a trial without a catheter – this would be discussed with you if this was required.

Escalate to a health professional:

🚫You are unable to pass urine

🚫You have a catheter in but you still feel you need to urinate

🚫You have a burning sensation whilst passing urine or when the catheter is in place

🚫You notice an unusual smell from your urine or it is a dark yellow colour or red

🚫You have a loss of sensation or incontinence during pregnancy or postnatal

16/09/2025

🌟 Nest and Nurture Fairs Launched in Grimsby and Scunthorpe! 🌟

Expecting a baby? Join us at our new Nest and Nurture Fairs to give your child the best start in life.

🏥👶The first Nest and Nurture Fair will be held on Thursday, October 2, at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby. The event will then switch to Scunthorpe General Hospital on Thursday, November 6.

Join us from 7pm to 8.30pm for a warm welcome and valuable information. 🏥📆

15/09/2025

We'll be welcoming parents-to be at our monthly Carousel event on Wednesday 17 September.

This month, someone will be filming aspects of the event. We understand not everyone is comfortable about being filmed. We'll ensure everyone has the choice of whether to be included in the background of any filming.

We look forward to seeing you there!

15/09/2025

👀Eye Health 👀

Eye checks are just as important when you are pregnant. Ensure you maintain regular eye checks with your optician, or if you haven't seen an optician before pregnancy why don't you book to check your eye health today?

Changes in pregnancy such as hormonal changes can impact your eyes and vision. Make sure you access appropriate healthcare for the following concerns;

- Changes to your vision
- Blurred vision
- Dry eyes
- Spots or floaters
- Changes in eye pressure
- Puffy eyes
- Diabetes (high levels of blood glucose can harm the blood vessels to the retina)
- Pre eclampsia (Sensitive to light, flashing lights, spots, or temporary sight loss)

It is really important that you speak to a health professional if you experience any sudden or gradual changes to your vision in pregnancy.

Do not ignore any problems you are experiencing. We can help sign post you to get appropriate care. If you experience any concerns with your vision such as flashing lights, sensitivity to light contact your GP or midwife urgently to get seen.

You can contact Antenatal Day Unit from 16 weeks to be assessed.

14/09/2025

❤The Best Start in Life parent hub❤

👉Sharing trusted information, resources and support throughout pregnancy and your child's early years and beyond.

www.beststartinlife.gov.uk

13/09/2025

🦡Badger notes🦡

This video has been shared from Harrogate District Hospital within the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS)- you may find the information helpful

https://youtu.be/zpAYylM7VsM

If you are struggling with Badger or you cant see certain results please reach out to your community midwife at your next appointment or send a message to the ask a midwife team.

You should have information on your badger app which shows your appointments, contacts, leaflets, reading, and extracts from your notes including test and scan results.

13/09/2025

💥World Sepsis Day💥

Know your signs and symptoms

Seek urgent medical care if you think you or a loved one has sepsis

www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
www.worldsepsisday.org

12/09/2025

Come along next Wednesday evening to our monthly Carousel event at Women and Children's Hospital 🤰👶

Featuring talks and information stands on:
- Induction of Labour
- Homebirth and Community Midwifery
- Ask a Midwife (inc empathy belly!)
- The Fatima Allam Birth Centre/MLU
- Labour Ward
- Car seat safety from Allan
- Bath bath demonstrations
- How to maintain safety in the home
- The Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership
- Health Lifestyles and more from The Family Hubs
- Newborn Hearing Screening
- Infant Feeding
- Health Visiting..and more!

This FREE event is a complement to your Antenatal Classes, which can be booked here: https://www.hey.nhs.uk/maternity/book-antenatal-classes/

The next Carousel event will be held next Wednesday 17th September 6.30-8.30pm on the Ground Floor of Women and Children's - we'd love to see you there! ❤️

Don’t forget Ask A Midwife is here for your non-urgent queries regarding anything relating to , , and beyond! Send us a private message today!

12/09/2025