The Lotus Team are very pleased to announce the reopening of the Lotus Midwifery Unit (LMU) at the LGI. The team have continued to support women in their birth choices both at home and in the hospital setting, but are very happy that the LMU is now back up and running.  If anyone would like any information about the LMU, please speak to your midwife.

For more information about the facilities available across the city, take a look at the virtual tour:

Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust (LTHT) and Leeds Maternity Voices Partnership are committed to keeping you updated on any changes in Government Guidelines related to Coronavirus that may impact on maternity services throughout the city.

It is expected that the majority of women who are exposed to Coronavirus will experience only mild or moderate flu like symptoms, however, 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.  LTHT have set up a Coronavirus Advice line, which you can contact 0746 490 7978 if you have any non-urgent questions relating to your pregnancy and care. A midwife will be available on this number Monday – Friday, 9am -3pm.

You may also want to take a look at the following links for the most recent updates:

• Leeds MVP Facebook Page
• LTHT E-Midwife
• Leeds Maternity Care Webpage

Changes To Midwife Appointments

Booking appointments will now take place over the telephone. Your community midwife will arrange a long telephone conversation with you, taking all the information that they would normally do in a face-to-face appointment, and will also provide advice and guidance in relation to your pregnancy. During this telephone discussion your midwife will also discuss with you screening tests for you and your baby and obtain your consent for the ones you choose.

Following this telephone conversation, you will be invited to attend a booking clinic where you will have:

• your temperature checked and asked about Coronavirus symptoms as you arrive
• your blood pressure taken
• a urine sample collected
• you will be weight
• you will have blood taken for any screening tests you have requested

Please attend alone unless you need support from a carer or relative (for example, if you have a disability).

16 week and 25 week appointments will now also take place over the telephone.

From 28 weeks onward appointments will be face-to-face. The venue of your appointment may need to change. Your midwife will call you before your appointment to discuss this. You will also 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.

If you have a high temperature or a new, persistent cough please DO NOT ATTEND any appointment

Kicks Still Count – Reduced Movements During Coronavirus

If your baby’s pattern of movement changes or reduces in number, please call and speak to a midwife promptly:

Leeds General Infirmary 0113 392 6791

St James’ 0113 206 5781

Your baby’s movements are as important as ever. While there is no current indication that Coronavirus poses a threat to an unborn baby, delaying contacting your midwife with concerns does. If you think that your baby’s movements have changed, slowed down or stopped:

• Don’t put off calling until tomorrow to see what happens
• Don’t worry about calling – your midwives and doctors will want to hear from you. The Maternity Unit is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so there will always be someone available to talk to.
• Don’t use any hand-held monitors, dopplers or phone apps to check your baby’s heartbeat. Even if you detect a heartbeat, it doesn’t mean your baby is well.

It is more important than ever that you don’t arrive at the hospital unannounced – always phone first.

If there are concerns about your baby you can be seen, regardless of whether you are showing symptoms of Coronavirus. Ensure you mention if you are showing symptoms though so steps can be taken to ensure the safety of those looking after you.

Antenatal appointments

Care in Labour

When you are ready to go to hospital, please call in advance. The midwife will ask you about your labour and some additional questions about your well-being and that of your family.

LTHT will do everything they can to respect your birth choices, however, some necessary changes have been made as a result of implements safety measure. You are now limited to one birth partner who is free of Coronavirus. We are therefore advising that you arrange a “back-up” in the unfortunate event that your birth partner displays symptoms of Coronavirus. An individual plan regarding birth partners will need to be made if you test positive for Coronavirus.

In some circumstances, staff will be wearing additional protective clothing, including face masks. In some circumstances you and your partner may also be asked to wear face masks.

If you have symptoms of Coronavirus you will be cared for in isolation by a teal who will have additional protective clothing including face protection and eye wear.

Planned Caesarean Section

If you are booked to go into hospital for a planned caesarean section, LTHT are now recommending swab testing for Coronavirus and a period of isolation prior to your admission. The hospital 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. It is very important that you attend these appointments on the dates given as there may be a delay in your surgery if the swabs are not obtained in a timely manner.

As with all other births, for safety reasons, you will be limited to one birth partner who is free of Coronavirus symptoms. If you have symptoms or are confirmed to have Coronavirus, the date or time of your planned caesarean section may be altered.

Home Births

LTHT would like to support all women choosing to birth at home, as long as you do not have symptoms of Coronavirus and are not in isolation with a family member who has symptoms. Anyone who has symptoms are recommended to birth in an Obstetric Unit where additional monitoring of maternal and baby well-being can be facilitated.

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.