Pregnant women who have any concerns about their baby – or their own health and welfare – are being assured that it is safe for them to come into Walsall Manor Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust wants women to continue to use its maternity services as usual, particularly if they are worried about:
- Feeling unwell
- Reduced baby movements
- Bleeding
- Pain
Kate Horton, Walsall healthcare NHS Trust’s Interim Head of Midwifery, said: “We do appreciate that this is a difficult time for pregnant women and their families but it is so important that they keep their antenatal appointments and also get in touch if they are experiencing any of the issues detailed above.
“As long as they have no recognised COVID-19 symptoms of either a temperature of 37.8 or higher or a new, continuous cough it is safe to come into the hospital. Our priority remains the health and wellbeing of our mums-to-be and their babies and our midwives and maternity staff are here to support them.”
Women who have any concerns regarding being unwell, reduction in their baby’s movements, bleeding or pain at any time should contact
- Triage: 01922 656967
- Delivery suite: 01922 656246
A Maternity Advice Line has also been set up from today, Wednesday 29 April, if women need to speak with a midwife for general advice and are unable to contact their Community Midwife.
This line is open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and women should contact 01922 605426.
Pregnant women will still be offered a mixture of telephone calls and face-to face contacts throughout their pregnancy; appropriate to their individual needs. They will also be invited to an Early Bird clinic (around 6-8 weeks’ pregnant) for routine pregnancy blood tests, height and weight checks and to test a urine sample.
They will also receive information about a maternity APP they can register for to offer up-to-date advice and guidance for each stage of pregnancy, accessible from a mobile device.
Kate added: “We are practicing social distancing so unfortunately partners/family/children or friends are not permitted in the antenatal clinic; either to visit or enter a scan room. We are continuing to offer photographs of the first scan and these are free of charge at this present time.
“We really want to get the message out to any pregnant women who might be feeling anxious that we understand and will do all we can to allay their fears but they shouldn’t put off asking for help or advice.”