Leeds Maternity E-Midwife

18/03/2026

Have you used the Community Triage Line? We want to hear from you!

Your feedback helps us improve the support we offer to women and families across our maternity services.

If you’ve contacted the Community Midwifery Triage Line, please take a few minutes to complete our short anonymous survey and tell us about your experience: https://linktr.ee/leedsmaternity

17/03/2026

The Generation Study is open in Leeds! Join the study and contribute to research that could lead to new treatments.

Test your baby for 200+ genetic conditions by signing up when you’re pregnant. The test will happen shortly after birth.

Taking part is free and optional (and you can always withdraw). Visit the website for more information and to register your interest: https://www.generationstudy.co.uk/

Once you've registered a member of our study team will contact you to explain more and help you sign up.

16/03/2026

Your Pregnancy Vaccines Timeline 🗓️

👶 1st Trimester (0–12 weeks)
💬 Speak to your maternity team about vaccines.

👶 2nd Trimester (13–27 weeks)
💉 Whooping cough – usually given between 16–32 weeks, often around your 20-week scan.

👶 3rd Trimester (28–40+ weeks)
💉 RSV – usually given around your 28-week appointment.

Seasonal Vaccines - During autumn and winter, you will also be offered the flu vaccine. You can have it at any stage of pregnancy, the sooner the better

✅ Why vaccines matter
Vaccines in pregnancy help protect babies against different diseases as the protection you develop passes through the placenta to the baby. This protection from birth is important as babies are more likely to be very ill and to need hospital care if they catch these diseases in their first weeks and months of life.

It is important to have your vaccines at the right time in every pregnancy to give you and your baby the best protection, but you can have your vaccines up until you give birth,

Pregnant women and young babies are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they catch flu. Getting vaccinated helps protect you and your baby during your pregnancy and continues to protect your baby after they are born.

These vaccines are offered free by the NHS and are thoroughly tested to assess how safe and effective they are. Common side effects of vaccines don’t usually last long and are mild, including an aching arm, feeling tired and a headache.

👩‍⚕️ Speak to your midwife, GP or trusted health professional for more info.
🔍 Search: NHS vaccinations in pregnancy to learn more.

15/03/2026

🌳 Join us for our next Bump and Baby Walk! 🌳

Come along for gentle movement in nature, friendly chats and the chance to ask a midwife any pregnancy or early parenting questions.

🗓 27 Mar – Temple Newsam Park, 12:30 (meet outside the house near the farm)

☕ Grab a drink, bring your pram or dog – everyone’s welcome!
📧 Let us know you’re coming: leedsth-tr.athenaclinic@nhs.net

👉 Or just turn up on the day!

The walks may be cancelled in the event of ice, snow or torrential rain. If we cancel a walk, we will post on our social media accounts and email anyone who has registered to attend.

Charges for car parking may apply depending on where you park at both park sites. Often you can find spaces at these times at the sides of both the park areas and avoid payment in the assigned car park space if it is safe for you to park there.

Bus services that run to Roundhay Park: Bus Routes: 2, 12, 3A, and 13A
Bus services that run to Temple Newsam: Bus Routes: The First bus services 19 and 19A run to Whitkirk, which is a short distance from Temple Newsam.
Please check the bus services are running before you travel.

Make time for yourself and your baby and enjoy some fresh air with us 🌿🚶‍♀️

13/03/2026

Our Maternity Assessment Centres (MAC) are open 24/7 and this includes the weekend.

If you have any of the attached symptoms or any other urgent concerns about your pregnancy, or after you've had your baby, please call MAC at your booked hospital to speak to a midwife.

Our midwives will give you advice over the telephone and invite you in to MAC if you need to seen.

Call MAC at any time 📞: LGI - 0113 3926731 or St James's - 0113 2065781.

If you have any non-urgent questions please direct message this page. The E-Midwife will be back to answer any questions on Monday ☺️🤰

13/03/2026

It's The Lullaby Trust's Safer Sleep Week! A brand new webpage is now available, offering the latest guidance to help you understand how to dress your baby safely for sleep.

The page covers everything from the recommended room temperature for babies, what your baby should wear in cool, normal, and hot weather, how to check if your baby is too hot or too cold and answers to common questions about baby sleep clothing and products.

👉 Visit The Lullaby Trust’s new web page here 👉 https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/baby-product-information/dress-your-baby-for-sleep/

12/03/2026

"I would just like to say a massive big thank you to midwife Claire and student midwife Izzie who made my third labour experience amazing at St James Hospital Leeds.

They were kind, caring, supportive and calm towards me, my partner & my mum.

I had such bad anxiety regarding labour as I had a really bad first labour and my second one was so quick I was scared which way this one would go. I really wanted to get the epidural but again was petrified. Claire & Izzie both reassured me the whole time and was nothing short of amazing before, during and after birth.

I cannot thank them both enough for helping me welcome my beautiful baby girl Vienna Ruth Watson Into the world."

To share your story please send us a direct message with a photo of your baby and a few paragraphs about your experience. Your story can be anonymous and you don't have to show your baby's face if you'd prefer. We share a post every Thursday on our e-Midwife Facebook and Instagram pages!

11/03/2026

Today is National No Smoking Day 🚭 Our specialist Stop Smoking Advisors work remotely or from a local community venue to support you to become smoke free during pregnancy. The service also offers stop smoking support and access to ni****ne replacement therapy on our antenatal, postnatal and transitional care wards.

Smoking during pregnancy increases your chance of miscarriage or stillbirth and can cause reduced baby movements, bleeding in pregnancy and needing intervention in labour and birth. It also increases the risk of premature birth.

You can access free support to stop smoking from the LTHT Stop Smoking Service – please ask your midwife for more details.

We’ve received some great feedback from those who have used the service, with lots of praise for the non-judgemental support from our Stop Smoking team that enabled them to quit during pregnancy.

10/03/2026

We welcome the Government's announcement today that Donna Ockenden will lead an independent review into maternity and neonatal services here at Leeds.

To those families whose babies have sadly died or who have been harmed when receiving care in our hospitals, we are deeply sorry.

We hope this announcement will give reassurance to families that the review can now move forward and provide the answers they deserve.

There is more to do, and we will continue to improve our services as we strive to ensure that every family receives safe, compassionate, inclusive, and high-quality care.

10/03/2026

It's The Lullaby Trust's Safer Sleep Week! If you're feeling overwhelmed by baby products, this post is for you.

With so many options it can be hard to know which are safest for your baby to sleep in. The Lullaby Trust is sharing the ‘baby necessities’ – the essential items that your baby needs and how to check that they’re as safe as possible.

Download The Lullaby Trust’s product guide here 👉 https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/resource/safer-sleep-product-guide/

09/03/2026

Congratulations to Sasha who has been recognised with a DAISY Award for providing exceptional postnatal care! 😍

Congratulations to Sasha, a midwife who has been awarded a DAISY Award, after providing exceptional postnatal care to a first time family during their stay. The family described Sasha as “a calming and loving presence” who supported them through complications, explained every step clearly, and cared for both parents’ wellbeing.

Her nomination read: “She embodies everything a midwife should be. I left the ward feeling cared for and uplifted.”

Sasha’s compassion made a lasting difference to the family she cared for. Well done Sasha!

05/03/2026

"I would like to pass on my thanks and gratitude to my amazing midwife Sophie Bailey.

Alban Llewelyn was born 30.11.25 in a very brisk 4 hours. I was extremely anxious but Sophie supported me every step of the way.

I felt listened to, reassured and empowered throughout the whole experience. I thank my lucky stars that Sophie was there that day. What an amazing human she is 🥰 forever grateful.

Everybody in MAC was also amazing and supportive that day too. I felt very well cared for ❤️ xx"

To share your story please send us a direct message with a photo of your baby and a few paragraphs about your experience. Your story can be anonymous and you don't have to show your baby's face if you'd prefer. We share a post every Thursday on our e-Midwife Facebook and Instagram pages!