When your baby is born they are still receiving oxygen and blood through the umbilical cord and placenta to allow a smooth transition into life outside of the womb. At any one time, a third of a baby’s blood volume is in their placenta. Therefore it is recommended that the cord is left unclamped until baby has received all of their blood. If the cord is left until it has stopped pulsating, baby can benefit from increased iron, oxygen and weight gain.Delayed cord clamping is now routinely practised. This is when the cord is left for at least one minute…

We've created a portal for patients which brings together all the important information and leaflets that you need in one place.   What is the patient portal? The new patient portal is an online platform that allows patients to access information about their healthcare, securely via their chosen device e.g. laptop/phone/tablet. View a video about the portal by clicking here   What information/facility is available via the portal? The patient portal provides a convenient way for patients to view; Outpatient appointment details Maxims appointment letters and associated leaflets Clinical letters Relevant point of contact – telephone contact for each service…

There is now strong evidence to say that homebirth is as safe as giving birth in hospital with many other psycho-social benefits.  Hutton et al (2019) state that ‘The risk of perinatal or neonatal mortality was not different when birth was intended at home or in hospital’. The Birthplace Study which involved 17,000 cases showed that homebirth is just as safe as giving birth in hospital for second or subsequent births. A possible explanation for this is that labouring in hospital is much more likely to involve interventions, which can interfere with normal physiology and cause further problems such as…

Staff roles in pharmacy

Once baby is born, the midwife (or you!) will bring baby up to your abdomen or chest depending on the length of baby’s cord. Baby will be gently dried whilst on you and a warm layer will be placed over the top of you and your baby. We aim to keep baby skin to skin with you for at least an hour or as long as you like. Skin to skin has many benefits to you and baby: Calming for both baby and mother Helps to regulate baby’s temperature Enhances the bonding process Helps to regulate baby’s breathing and heart…

Ross Hospital check for Visiting restrictions information   About our hospital  Patients who require a period of rehabilitation at a community hospital will need to have an assessment undertaken of the support they will need during their stay. This assessment will consider which facility in Herefordshire can best meet their needs. The Community Hospital is a modern, well designed building in the popular market town of Ross-on-Wye. It is staffed by dedicated professionals who are committed to providing quality care based on the needs of each patient. As well as the Nursing staff, there are teams of professional staff such as Physiotherapists and Occupational…

Leominster Community Hospital - Visiting restrictions  information Patients who require a period of rehabilitation at a community hospital will need to have an assessment undertaken of the support they will need during their stay. This assessment will consider facility in Herefordshire can best meet their needs. There are two wards at Leominster Community hospital, Minster and Eaton. These are split into smaller rooms of single or five bedded bays, all single gender. Please remember, there are NO A&E facilities at Leominster Community Hospital. If you need treatment for a non-serious injury/health condition, contact NHS111, speak to your GP or visit your local pharmacy…

Visiting restrictions check for Visiting restrictions  Information for patients and carers We have three modern and comfortable community hospitals. If you are a patient in an acute hospital, such as Hereford County Hospital, your doctors and nurses may now think you are well enough to be moved to a Community Hospital. We would like to tell you more about them, their modern facilities and the nurses, doctors and therapists there. This information may also be of interest to you if you are at home and due to be admitted for care. If you are a patient at the County Hospital it…

After your baby is born your midwife will ask whether you would like your baby to have a Vitamin K supplement. It is known that newborn babies have about 30% to 60% of the vitamin K an adult would have stored in their liver. It isn’t known why this is or if there is a reason for this. However, a very small amount of babies are born very deficient in Vitamin K and go on to develop Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB). VKDB can cause bleeding from the nose, umbilicus, mouth or into the brain which can in turn cause…

Gestational diabetes If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it is because it has been found that you have a higher than normal level of glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream. It is called gestational diabetes because it has been found whilst you are pregnant.  In a small amount of cases, it may be that a woman has undiagnosed diabetes, not caused by pregnancy.  The only way to know this is after your baby is born.  If your blood glucose remains high or uncontrolled postnatally then it is likely you have type 2 diabetes, your GP will check this at…