Leeds Maternity Care
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Important information about your Maternity Care during the Coronavirus Outbreak
For regularly updated information regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and pregnancy we recommend you visit the RCOG website by following this link:
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals E-Midwife Facebook page
- Coronavirus information films in different languages
It is expected that the majority of women who are exposed to the Coronavirus will experience only mild or moderate flu like symptoms.
New evidence suggests that individuals of black and minority ethnic (BAME) background may be at higher risk of developing complications of coronavirus. This may apply to pregnant women. We therefore advise pregnant women of BAME background to seek help early if they are concerned they may have symptoms of coronavirus. Video: Information on coronavirus for pregnant BAME women
Important information for women and their birth partners when attending our Maternity Unit
This update informs you of what you need to do to keep yourself safe, and protect other patients and our staff from Coronavirus.
It is very important that you read this information and any appointment letters carefully. Letters may contain specific instructions for you to follow before attending your appointment with us.
If you or anyone in your household develops symptoms that might be related to coronavirus, please do not come into hospital unannounced. Please contact NHS 111 or your GP who will advise you further.
Travelling from home
There are some important steps that you and your birth partner can take to protect yourself and others from the spread of coronavirus when travelling to and from your appointment and during your time in our hospitals:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
- Maintain two metres distance from people who are not part of your household.
- Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch a cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
We thank you in advance for helping yourself, our patients and our staff to stay safe. If you have any questions please contact us using the telephone number on your appointment letter.
At our hospitals
To maintain the safety of our patients and staff it is very important that the number of people on our hospital sites and in our departments at any one time is very low.
Social distancing must be maintained by patients, visitors, and staff at all times. Sometimes this is difficult to achieve. There are some actions you can take to help.
- Please keep to the left when walking along our corridors
- Please walk in single file if you are able
- Please comply with social distancing signs and floor markings
- Please follow one way routes when directed to do so by staff
Face coverings
Birth partners and anyone attending an antenatal appointment, postnatal appointment or scan must wear a face covering.
Face coverings do not replace the need to follow social distancing rules but may prevent you passing on coronavirus before you have symptoms.
If you have your own face covering, you must wear this to your appointment. On your arrival, clinical staff may ask you to wear a surgical face mask whilst you are with us. Thank you for your cooperation with this.
A cloth face covering should cover your mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably. It can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head. When wearing a face covering, take care to tuck away any loose ends.
Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before putting it on and after taking it off. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth at all times and store used face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them.
Do not touch the front of the face covering, or the part of the face covering that has been in contact with your mouth and nose. Once removed, make sure you clean any surfaces the face covering has touched.
You should wash a face covering regularly. It can go in with other laundry, using your normal detergent. How to wear and make a cloth face covering
Attending for antenatal and scan appointments
We are pleased to announce partners are now able to attend all pregnancy scans including scans in our early pregnancy unit. Due to the layout of some of our waiting areas partners may be required to wait outside of the department, but will be able to accompany you once you are in the scanning room. This is to ensure we are following social distancing measures. Partners must wear face coverings whilst in our hospitals. If you or your partner are exempt from wearing a face mask please discuss with our staff as alternatives can be provided.
We kindly ask you do not arrive early for your appointment. Try to attend no more than 10 minutes before your expected appointment. If you arrive earlier than this you may be asked to return nearer to your appointment time. If you arrive late your appointment may need to be rebooked for another date. This is to stop too many people being in the department at one time and help minimise risk.
You are now able to bring a supportive adult to your hospital antenatal clinic appointment. We ask that your supportive adult is not symptomatic of Coronavirus, not had a positive test within the last 10 days and not in a period of self-isolation.
Attending for urgent care
If you are advised to attend the Antenatal Day Care Unit or Maternity Assessment Centre, please attend alone unless you need support from a carer/relative (for example, if you have a disability and need support). You will be asked about Coronavirus symptoms as you arrive. If you are attending Maternity Assessment Centre because you think you are in labour, your birth partner will join you once you are transferred to the Delivery Suite.
Visiting on the Antenatal and Postnatal Wards
We have continued to review our visiting policy following revised guidance received from NHS England.
We are pleased to announce our antenatal and postnatal wards are now operating restricted visiting for your nominated birth partner. The day following your admission to the antenatal or postnatal ward, if you are expected to remain in hospital a further night, you will be allocated a 2 hour visiting slot for your nominated birth partner at either 1pm-3pm or 3pm-5pm every afternoon for the duration of your stay.
Your birth partner must not be symptomatic of Coronavirus or awaiting a result for a Coronavirus test, must not be in a period of self-isolation or have tested positive for Coronavirus in the last 10 days.
Your birth partner must wear a face covering whilst in the hospital and follow strict social distancing and hand hygiene whilst on the ward. It is important your birth partner follows social distancing measures between hospital visits and minimise contact with people outside of your household.
To ensure the safety of you, your family and our staff, any birth partner not complying with this guidance will be asked to leave.
If you are attending for a planned admission to our antenatal ward please attend alone unless you need support from a carer/relative (for example, if you have a disability and need support). You will be asked about Coronavirus symptoms as you arrive. If you are attending for induction of labour please attend alone, your birth partner will join you once you are transferred to the Delivery Suite.
We understand how upsetting this may be. However our priority is to ensure the safety of all pregnant mums, their families and our staff.
Your care will be personalised to your needs and those of your baby. Baby screening tests will arranged by your midwife. If you have symptoms of or confirmed Coronavirus you will be cared for in isolation with your baby, and the team will wear additional protective clothing. You will be encouraged and supported to breastfeed.
For more information regarding Neonatal Health and Covid-19 please see this leaflet - Coronavirus: Parent information for newborn babies
Visiting for birth partners on Delivery Suite
In labour, when you are ready to come to hospital, please call in advance. The midwife will ask you about your labour and some additional questions about your wellbeing and that of your family.
We will do everything we can to respect your birth choices.
We have to limit you to one birth partner who is free from Coronavirus symptoms and has not had a positive Coronavirus test result in the last 10 days.
Your birth partner will stay with you throughout your labour and delivery unless on the rare occasion you need to have a general anaesthetic.
To ensure the safety of all our pregnant women, birth partners and staff it is important your birth partner wears a face covering and remains in your delivery room throughout your stay.
If you test positive for Coronavirus your household will be required to isolate for 10 days.
For more information please discuss with your Community Midwife or visit our E-Midwife Facebook page.
This advice line is for women receiving Leeds Maternity Care, and for staff working for Leeds Teaching Hospitals, to answer any non-urgent questions relating to your pregnancy and your on-going care. A midwife will be available to answer the telephone line Monday to Friday 9am-3pm - please DO NOT text this number, you will not receive a response. You will not be able to leave a message.
Stay at home if you have symptoms of Coronavirus, and follow the NHS 111 online guidance. Only call 119 if you are not able to access the advice online |
We understand that you will be worried about what Coronavirus means for you and your baby and we are doing all we can to keep you safe.
Registering the birth of your baby
The Registration of Births has been suspended temporarily until further notice - please see more information available at:
Let us know about your experience of maternity services, so we can work together to keep improving them for the future. Join the Maternity Voices Partnership or visit the Facebook group 
