Leanne Stitt Doula Diary

05/10/2025

Message for those of you in the north of Cumbria

Urgent message from the Ivy home birth team

05/10/2025

💙 Improving Support for Parents: New Perinatal Pelvic Health Service in Cumbria

The way we support women during and after pregnancy in Cumbria is changing – and for the better.

Across England, there has been a national focus on improving maternal health services, making care more accessible, and making sure new parents get the right support. We’ve been part of this important work and are proud to launch new improvements locally.

Over the past year, specialist physiotherapists, a midwife, and a consultant have been working behind the scenes to shape a new service. Their goal has been simple: to make sure people across Cumbria get the care they need, when they need it.

Going forward, everyone will be asked screening questions during pregnancy and after giving birth. These questions help us identify if someone might be at risk of prolapse, birth injuries, or other pelvic health concerns. Some people may just need access to clear information and resources. Others may be referred to our specialist team for tailored support and treatment.

In addition, new clinics will be running in Carlisle for people who have experienced an Obstetric A**l Sphincter Injury (OASI) during childbirth. These clinics will provide assessment, support, and guidance. This is something that hasn’t been available before in Cumbria.

Issues like bladder or bowel incontinence are seen as a ‘normal’ part of having a baby. While these problems can be common, they are not normal.

Alongside face-to-face support, there is now access to more information and advice online, on the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) for the North East and North Cumbria. This means parents can get guidance quickly: https://northernlms.org/

03/10/2025

Helping Little Ones Feel at Home in Hospital
Sometimes, children find themselves in hospital unexpectedly, without even the basics they need for comfort and care. At Bay Hospitals Charity, we work hard to make sure no child ever feels unprepared or unsupported during their stay.
But we can’t do it alone. That’s where you come in.
Our Children’s Wards are currently in need of essential clothing items to help make young patients feel safe, warm, and cared for. We are asking for donations of NEW:
👶 Baby Sleepsuits and Vests
Sizes: 0–3 months, 3–6 months, 6–9 months, 9–12 months, 12–18 months
🧒 Pyjamas (non-fleecy) – for both boys and girls
Sizes: 3–4 years, 4–5 years, 5–6 years, 6–7 years, 7–8 years
Every item donated helps a child feel just a little more at home during a difficult time. If you’re able to help, we, and the families we support, would be incredibly grateful. Please drop off at Bay Hospitals Charity, FGH and RLI.
Thank you for making a difference.💜🩷

15/09/2025

At the end of June 2025, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care announced a rapid, national, independent investigation into NHS maternity and neonatal services. The investigation will develop one set of national recommendations to drive improvements in maternity and neonatal services across England.

The investigation will review 11 trusts, and 3 additional trusts (including UHMBT) are supporting the investigation to share good practice with others.

We have been chosen to support the investigation as a result of the significant improvements our teams have made following the Morecambe Bay Investigation in 2015 and our involvement in the national Recovery Support Programme and the Maternity Safety Support Programme.

We look forward to supporting the investigation and working with other trusts to share the learning and improvements we have made over recent years. We are also keen to listen and work with our services users and families to take forward any further opportunities to improve as a result of this work.

Read more: https://www.uhmb.nhs.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/uhmbt-support-national-maternity-and-neonatal-investigation

28/08/2025

When you walk through the door after work… one straight to the b**b and the other straight round my neck 💕 Motherhood is wild, messy and oh so full-on but I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

15/08/2025

Pregnancy scans are a brilliant tool — but they’re not 100% accurate. 📷✨

📊 Late-pregnancy weight estimates can be off by up to 20% (±1lb for a 7lb baby).
📅 Early dating scans can vary by several days.
And a “big” or “small” scan result doesn’t always match reality at birth.

Why it matters: Scan results sometimes influence decisions about induction, extra monitoring, or caesarean. But scans are just one piece of the puzzle.

💡 You have the right to:
✅ Ask how accurate the result is.
✅ Request a second scan or discussion.
✅ Accept, delay, or decline interventions based on informed choice.

🔍 For more evidence:
• AIMS: www.aims.org.uk
• Evidence Based Birth: www.evidencebasedbirth.com
• NHS Guidance: www.nhs.uk/pregnancy