Leeds Maternity Care
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What we do
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Meet the team
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My Pregnancy Notes
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Important information regarding pregnancy and Coronavirus
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
Evidence tells us that pregnant women are no more likely to get COVID-19 than other healthy adults, however they are at slightly increased risk of becoming severely unwell if they do catch COVID-19, and are more likely to have pregnancy complications like preterm birth or stillbirth.
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
Coronavirus Vaccination in Pregnancy
As pregnant women are more at risk of developing complications of Coronavirus, COVID-19 vaccines are recommended in pregnancy. Vaccination is the best way to protect against the known risks of COVID-19 in pregnancy for both women and babies, including admission of the woman to intensive care and premature birth of the baby.
- For more information regarding COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy please discuss with your Midwife or Doctor or visit the RCOG website
- Public Health England information regarding Covid Vaccination in pregnancy
- More Public Health England information regarding the Covid vaccination in pregnancy
- There is lots of information and a Q&A film about the COVID-19 on the Leeds E-Midwife Facebook page
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 119 or your GP who will advise you further and inform your Midwife.
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 remains essential in our hospital and 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 these will now be provided by our wards and departments.
Face coverings do not replace the need to follow social distancing rules but may prevent you passing on coronavirus before you have symptoms.
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 hospital appointments and scans including MAC and ANDU
Everyone attending our department are able to be accompanied by a supportive adult (usually your nominated birth partner) who can provide evidence of a negative lateral flow test taken within 24 hours of attendance, it is important supportive adults do not attend is they have symptoms of Coronavirus and are not in a period of self-isolation.
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.
Supportive adults must wear face coverings whilst in our hospitals. Face shields will be provided for anyone exempt from wearing a face covering.
Lateral Flow Test kits can be collected from most community pharmacies or you can order lateral flow tests from the government website
Evidence of a negative result is provided by text message or email when you have uploaded your results to the government website
Attending our Antenatal and Postnatal Wards
We are pleased to announce your supportive adult (usually your nominated birth partner) is able to attend our antenatal and postnatal wards between 8am and 8pm. To be able to attend your supportive adult must not have symptoms of Coronavirus, not be in a period of self-isolation and must provide evidence of a negative Lateral Flow Test taken (please see information and links above) within 24hours of attendance.
To ensure the safety of you, your family and our staff, any birth partner not complying with this guidance will be asked to leave.
Birth partner attendance 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.
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 
