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 the link below:
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.
Stay at home if you have a high temperature or new persistent cough, and follow guidance available at: https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19Only call 111 if you are not able to access the advice on-line |
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.
Please follow the Government advice
Stay at home:
- Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (where this absolutely cannot be done from home).
- Stay two metres (6ft) away from other people.
Wash your hands as soon as you get home.
If you work in an essential service, as deemed by the Government, and you are less than 28 weeks pregnant, seek advice from your employer.
Community Midwifery Appointments
Booking appointments will be undertaken over the telephone. Your community midwife will arrange a long telephone conversation with you and will take lots of information and provide advice and guidance. She will also discuss screening tests for you and your baby, and ask for your consent for the ones you choose.
You will then be invited to attend a booking clinic where you will only have your blood pressure taken; a urine sample collected; you will be weighed and have any blood taken for any screening tests that you have requested. You will have your temperature checked and be asked about Coronavirus symptoms as you arrive. Please attend alone unless you need support from a carer/relative (for example, if you have a disability and need support).
If you have either a high temperature or a new persistent new cough please DO NOT ATTEND any appointment. |
Your 16 week and 25 week appointments will also take place over the telephone
From 28 weeks onwards your appointments will be face to face. The venue of your appointment may need to change. You will receive a phone call from a member of the team prior to your appointment. You will be asked if you or any members of your family have any symptoms of Coronavirus.
If you do, you will be advised to stay at home for a period of time and your midwife will give you further guidance. You will only be tested for Coronavirus if you become unwell and need to be admitted to hospital.
When you attend your appointment please come alone, at the allotted time. Partners and family members will not be allowed to enter the building unless you need support from a carer/relative (for example, if you have a disability and need support).
Hospital Appointments
If you are having shared care with an Obstetrician at the hospital you may need to attend your appointment - or you may receive a phone call from the Obstetrician.
If you are asked to attend the hospital antenatal clinic you will be asked about Coronavirus symptoms as you arrive.
If you have either a high temperature or a new persistent new cough please DO NOT ATTEND any appointment.
Scans
If you have a scan appointment, please attend alone unless you need support from a carer/relative (for example, if you have a disability and need support), at the allotted time.
You will be asked about Coronavirus symptoms as you arrive. If you are found to have a temperature, your scan may be postponed and you may be asked to go home immediately and will receive a telephone call from a doctor.
Scan photo's are available for dating and 20 week anatomy scans.
If you have either a high temperature or a new persistent new cough please DO NOT ATTEND any appointment. |
Urgent care
If your baby’s pattern of movements changes or reduces in number, please call and speak to a Midwife promptly:
LGI on 0113 392 6731 or
St James’s on 0113 206 5781
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) at the allotted time. You will be asked about Coronavirus symptoms as you arrive.
If you are admitted to hospital or likely to be admitted to hospital within 48 hours, with your consent we will take a swab from your throat and nose to test for Corovavirus.
Antenatal classes
Following Government advice, we have suspended all group sessions and will not be providing any Delivery Suite tours.
We are currently not able to accommodate visitors providing external services, such as Bounty or routine stem cell collection, in the hospital.
Care in labour
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.
You will be asked about Coronavirus symptoms as you arrive.
In some circumstances our team are wearing additional protective clothing including face masks. You and your partner may be asked to wear a face mask in some circumstances.
If you have symptoms of or confirmed Coronavirus you will be cared for in isolation with a team who have additional protective clothing - including face protection and eye wear. In an emergency this may cause a delay, staff are practising putting this equipment on at speed to reduce the impact of this on you and your baby.
Induction of labour
If you are booked to come into hospital for induction of labour you will be asked to call at a designated date/time in advance. The midwife will ask you about your labour and some additional questions about your wellbeing and that of your family.
Your birth partner will not be able to accompany you, but will be able to join you when you are transferred to the Delivery Suite.
Planned caesarean sections
If you are booked to come into hospital for a planned caesarean section we are now recommending swabs testing for Coronavirus and a period of isolation prior to your admission. We will arrange up to two Coronavirus swab tests (a few days apart) before your planned admission. This is to confirm that you are not suffering from Coronavirus. The test for Coronavirus is a simple swab from your nose and throat. It is very important that you attend the appointments on the dates given as there may be a delay in your surgery if the swabs have not been obtained in a timely manner.
We have to limit you to one birth partner. If you have symptoms of, or are confirmed to have Coronavirus the date or time of your planned caesarean section may be altered.
Birth at home
If you have chosen to birth at home we would like to support your choice, as long as you do not have symptoms of Coronavirus and are not in isolation with a family member who has symptoms.
However, you may be asked to birth in hospital if midwives are not available to attend you at home. You also need to be aware that if you need to be transferred to hospital by ambulance there may be a delay if an ambulance is not immediately available. |
Women who have symptoms of the Coronavirus are recommended to birth in an Obstetric Unit, where additional monitoring of maternal and baby wellbeing can be facilitated.
After your baby is born
Once your baby is born and as long as you and your baby are well, we will encourage you, with support, to go home as soon as possible.
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.
Should you need to stay in hospital, your partner will not be able to stay with you or visit you on the postnatal ward.
For more information regarding Neonatal Health and Covid-19 please access the NEW NHS Parent Information Leaflet HERE
Registering the birth of your baby
The Registration of Births has been suspended temporarily until 30 April - please see more information available at:
Leeds Maternity Coronavirus Advice Line
Tel: 0746 490 7978
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.
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 
