Obstetric cholestasis (OC) or Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, affects around 0.7% of pregnancies in a multi-cultural society.  If you have been diagnosed with this condition, it may have started with itchy skin, which may have been worse on your hands and feet, but can be anywhere on your body. It is caused when the bile that flows through your liver slows down or even stops.  This leads to bile acids building up in your liver, which then leak out into your bloodstream and cause itching.  Some women find that the itching is worse at night, affects their sleep and can…

1 in 13 babies are born prematurely (before 37 weeks) in the UK.  If you start showing signs of labour before 37 weeks you will need to ring our triage department as soon as possible and come in to be assessed.  Early labour signs can include: Your waters breaking Abdominal pain Regular tightenings Vaginal blood loss Our special care baby unit in Hereford can provide care for babies who are 32 weeks and above. Therefore if you were to go into labour before this then a transfer to an appropriate unit would be organised as a matter of urgency. Once…

Jaundice is a common condition which affects many newborn babies. It is usually mild and causes a yellow tone to the skin and sometimes to the sclera (whites of the eyes). It usually resolves after a few days and isn’t too much of a concern. However, occasionally babies will need treatment for jaundice. This is most likely to be in the form of phototherapy, but if it is severe then an exchange transfusion may be advised, this is rarer. Jaundice occurs because when babies are in the womb, they have many more red blood cells than average to allow for…

The risks associated with induction of labour

Aromatherapy is a great way to individualise your birth environment and to help you feel more relaxed.  Relaxation is key in labour, as this can help you release more oxytocin - the love hormone which helps labour progression. The use of aromatherapy in labour and birth has been found to reduce the need for stronger forms of pain relief. One study found that the need for opioid pain relief reduced from 6% down to 0.4% (Burns et al, 2000). Aromatherapy is a complementary therapy that uses essential oils, derived from plants, for their therapeutic benefit.  The benefits are wide-ranging and…

Wye Valley NHS Trust was recognised by UNICEF in 2019 for work with mothers and newborn babies and awarded Baby Friendly Status.  If your baby is admitted to the special care baby unit, you may feel a little overwhelmed at all the information that you receive with regard to feeding your baby. The staff on the special care baby unit will support you to establish your chosen method of feeding once your baby is able to start enteral feeding. Initially, your baby may require intravenous fluids until we are able to start giving them some milk feeds. If your baby…

The third stage of labour is the time between when your baby has been born and the birth of the placenta. Your womb will continue to contract and will be reducing in size. As your womb becomes smaller the placenta will comes away from the side of the uterus and move down into your vagina. As this happens you will have some blood loss as the blood vessels that were connecting the placenta and the uterus will temporarily bleed. The blood loss reduces once the blood vessels constrict and close up the space where your placenta was attached. Physiological third…

Video: What positions are best for giving birth? In this video, a midwife talks through some of the best positions to give birth. Research shows that adopting upright positions in labour can: Aid in the descent of baby through your pelvis Reduces the pressure on your aorta, the large blood vessel which transports oxygenated blood from your heart to the rest of your body. This in turn increases the oxygen supply to baby, and decreases the chance of abnormal fetal heart patterns and therefore reduces the chance of caesarean section. Allows baby to get into an optimal position for birth…

Introduction to pharmacy The Pharmacy Department is recognised as the centre of expert knowledge within Wye Valley NHS Trust on the use of medicines. Our aim is to ensure that our patients get the maximum benefit from the medicines they receive and that medicines are managed safely within the organisation. Where to find us We are situated on the first floor of Hereford County Hospital, opposite Spires Restaurant. As you enter the main entrance of the hospital, head to the main corridor and turn right which will lead you to the left with lift or stairs access. Once on the…

Emergency Department (A&E) at Hereford County Hospital