Good Hope Hospital Maternity Unit

16/07/2025

08/07/2025

Don't forget to join Us for a Mommy & Baby Morning Drop-In Session, 14th July
Come along and connect with local support services:
🤰 Maternity Neonatal Voices Partnership – Share your maternity journey for change & improvement.
👶 Breastfeeding Network – Chat with friendly team members about support available for new mom and moms to be.
🏡 Perry Barr Family Support – Discover what’s on offer for families in your area.
🎨 Plus, enjoy Memory Maker Crafts for a fun, creative touch!

03/07/2025

New Dad?

We’ve Got You!

Becoming a dad can be exciting — and overwhelming.
Our FREE online New Dad Workshop is here to help you feel more confident, connected and prepared.

✅ What to expect
🧠 Mental wellbeing
👶 Baby bonding
💬 Space to ask questions
🧍‍♂️ Meet other dads

📅 Book your place now:
👉 www.dadmatters.org.uk/workshop or https://shorturl.at/pQLqq

30/06/2025

Please do not use a home doppler. Here are just a few reasons why -

The Presence of a heartbeat doesn't mean the baby is well: Parents may be falsely reassured when they hear a heartbeat, when actually their baby could be in distress. This could lead to life-threatening delays in seeking medical assistance. The best indicator of fetal wellbeing is always the baby’s movements

Home dopplers are not microphones: They are not amplifying the sound of your baby’s heartbeat. They are sending ultrasound waves into your body that reflects off moving blood vessels and SIMULATE a sound. There are a lot of blood vessels in a pregnant woman's abdomen, the baby’s heart beating being just one. The placenta also pulses at the same rate as the heart and the mother’s main artery runs across the abdomen and that can also be picked up on a doppler. There are so many vessels that can simulate the same sound as a fetal heart.

Not recommended for professionals, NICE guidelines even highlight the risks to professionals - “Do not rely solely on the CTG trace for fetal wellbeing. Be aware of limitations and artefacts i.e. doubling of the maternal pulse being recorded as the fetal heart.”

Users say they offer bonding, but there are other ways to bond. If siblings or partners want to hear the fetal heart ask your midwife to record it at your next appointment. The risk of using them for ‘fun’ or bonding is the same – hearing a heartbeat is subconsciously reassuring, however much we tell ourselves they won’t be used for reassurance.

The NHS, The Royal College of Midwives and even the FDA (Food and Drug Administration in America) all warn of their dangers. The NHS choices website says home foetal heart monitors “are potentially dangerous to the mother and baby’s health”, The RCM website says: “Expectant mothers have been warned against the use of home fetal Doppler devices over fears that they may give false reassurances to mothers about the health of their baby.”

Please help us raise awareness of the importance of Baby's movements and discourage the use of home dopplers

25/06/2025

Join us for a Mommy & Baby Morning drop-in Session!

Come along and connect with local support services:

🤱Maternity Neonatal Voices Partnership - Share your maternity journey for change and improvement.

👶 Breastfeeding Network - Chat with friendly team members about support avaiable for new Moms and Moms to be.

🏠 Perry Barr Family Support - Discover what's on offer for families in your area.

🎨 Plus, enjoy Memory Maker Crafts for a fun, creative touch!

18/06/2025

As the weather is getting warmer across the UK, we're sharing some guidance from First Steps Nutrition on giving water to babies in the hot weather.

💧Breastfed babies under 6 months old don't need water - you can feed them as often as needed to quench their thirst.

💧Formula-fed babies under 6 months can be given small sips of cooled, boiled water if needed during the hot weather. There is no specific guidance on this, so please talk to your GP, midwife, or health visitor if you are unsure if your baby needs extra water.

💧Water can be given to babies over 6 months old at mealtimes, and no longer needs to be boiled.

Keep an eye on nappies - around 6 wet nappies in 24 hours is a sign of a well-hydrated baby. If you are worried, please call your GP, midwife, or health visitor. In emergency situations, always call 999.

If you need support feeding your baby through the hot weather, please contact us anytime.

Call 0300 100 0212 or send us a DM on social media - 24/7 💜

The Breastfeeding Network (UK) Association of Breastfeeding Mothers

[ID: Should I Give Water To My Baby? guidance and recommendations. Breastfed babies 0-6 months. No extra water is needed for exclusively breastfed babies until solids are introduced. During hot weather breastfeed often to quench your baby's thirst. Formula fed babies 0-6 months. May need amounts of extra water during hot weather. Tap water is not sterile. It needs to be boiled and cooled first. Bottled water may be inappropriate due to high sodium and sulphate levels. filtered water can be given to babies under 6 months, but still needs to be boiled and cooled. How much? There is no specific guidance on how much extra water to give babies 0-6 months when it's hot. If needed, give small sips in between milk feeds. Generally, a well hydrated baby produces about 6 wet nappies every 24 hours. What about babies 6-12 months? Water can be given from an open cup or beaker as mealtimes from 6 months, and tap water no longer needs to be boiled. young children aged 1-5 years do not need any drinks other than milk and water. For more information visit: firststepsnurtition.org]

16/06/2025

12/06/2025

Babies have immature immune systems, which means they’re more at risk of infection, especially in their first few weeks of life. But there are lots of steps you, and any friends and family can take to keep them safer. 👐

Follow THANKS – Think Hands And No KisseS.

Always remember to:
-Wash your hands before touching a baby.
-Only kiss a new baby if you’re their parent or main carer.

It can be difficult to tell when your baby has an infection or if your baby is unwell as there are lots of different signs and symptoms. You know your baby best, so trust your instincts. If you feel that something’s not quite right, contact your midwife, health visitor, GP or NHS 111. If you’re very worried, go to an emergency department.

Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/3EB8hYA

11/06/2025

11/06/2025

08/06/2025

Our Child Safety Parents' Pack contains bite-sized facts and safety tips on the main accident risks to children. Allowing you to make simple changes that can fit into busy routines. Last update: 01/04/2025