Over the last few weeks and months, many of us have had to make huge changes to the way we live our lives. Many of us are understandably feeling anxious whilst we try our best to care for our families and loved ones in these stressful and uncertain times.

We know that babies and children are also experiencing a lot of changes as a result of the pandemic and need out help to manage this. It is important that we remember that children and babies are likely to pick up on our stresses and tensions, so finding ways to look after ourselves is a vital part of caring for babies, children and others.

Our lovely colleagues in the Infant Mental Health Team have created a wonderful leaflet with useful information, resources and advice for parents and carers of young children during the coronavirus pandemic.  From important things to remember (such as the slower pace of life created by the pandemic can be beneficial to babies) to links to all sorts of helpful websites – the team have covered it all. Why not take a look at our infant mental health resources list.

If you feel as though you require any support from a 0-19 specialist practitioner please contact our single point of access (SPA) on 0113 843568

Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust have just launched their e-Midwife Facebook Page

Run by fantastic midwives, the aim of the page is to provide information for women and their families in the Leeds area about maternity services during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

The site will share news, updates and health advice that will promote and protect the health of all women and babies during this difficult time.

The page will be monitored by a member of staff from the maternity department 1-2 times a day between the hours of 9am and 3pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).  Any non-urgent queries can be sent to the page via the direct message option.

For any urgent queries relating to pregnancy (but not related to coronavirus) the e-Midwife is advising all women to contact the Maternity Assessment Centres at their booked hospitals

LGI – 0113 392 6731

St James’ – 0113 206 5781

If is concerned that they may have coronavirus, please use the NHS 111 online service, or call NHS 111. Please also remember to inform your midwife.

The 5th May is International Day of the Midwife. This year it is even more significant than ever as the midwives continue to adapt with the changes helping to protect women and their babies from the risk of COVID-19, giving care and reassurance in these testing times.

From all of us here at Leeds Maternity Voices Partnership a HUGE thank you to all the midwives, student midwives and returning midwives for your continued hard work and support, not only at this extremely difficult time, but always.

❤️❤️❤️

#IDM #CovidMaternity #Midwives #IDM2020 #thankyoumidwives #midwives2020 #YearOfTheNurseAndMidwife

Infant Feeding Whose Shoes Report

Please see the new updated Patient Information Leaflet in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 and what this means for women birthing at St. James’s University Hospital and LGI.

‘Maternity Care during the Coronavirus Outbreak’

Leeds maternity services have introduced new guidelines to reduce the risk to our women and families from Coronavirus (COVID-19).

In line with the national guidance, there are no visitors allowed.

There are of course some exception including:

• Parents who are resident in hospital with their child;
• Visitors of patients who are on critical care of end of life care;
• Birthing partners showing no symptoms
• Visitors who are carers for inpatients supporting them with eating, dressing etc

Please find the patient information leaflet. For the added ‘Browse Aloud’ service please see Leeds Maternity Care for translation into more languages – look for ‘Maternity Care during the Coronvirus Outbreak’ leaflet half way down the page.

It is of paramount importance you listen to the advice of midwives and staff on the antenatal clinics, screening and postnatals wards.

Please be respectful at this very challenging time as staff are working at their upmost to protect women, babies and staff from the Coronavirus.

If you have a new cough or fever to self isolate and not attend Antenatal Clinic as this leads to further staff needing to self isolate.

Thank you for your patience at this challenging time.

Updated video link with more information:

https://www.facebook.com/LeedsMaternity/videos/1195811114090139/