Reasons you may be offered an induction of labour  The following circumstances in pregnancy may result in an induction of labour being offered to you: Post-dates pregnancy Advanced maternal age (40 years of age or more) Suspected big baby Suspected small baby Diabetes Pre-eclampsia Reduced fetal movements IVF If your waters break before tightenings start Obstetric Cholestasis Skip to the factsheet that is relevant to you, so you can start to make a fully informed decision on whether you would like an induction of labour.  Post-dates pregnancy A term pregnancy is classed as anything between 37 and 42 weeks. The…

A comprehensive guide Induction of labour (IOL) is the attempt to bring on labour when a woman is not showing any signs of being in labour, it is now a commonly used intervention, with 1 in 3 women experiencing it.  As with any intervention offered in pregnancy and birth, you, as the mother have the option to accept or decline. In order to make that decision you will need up-to-date, evidence-based information about that topic. We want all women to have the same information and to empower you to make the right decision for you, your baby and your family.…

Maternity triage phone number - 07990 986517, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have introduced a new telephone system within Maternity Triage to reduce unnecessary wait times and improve patient experience by allowing calls from women, birthing people and their families to be prioritised. The contact number for Maternity Triage remains the same. However, all calls in to the new system from 6 May 2025 are now recorded for staff training, audit and monitoring purposes.  How to find us Maternity Triage is located on the second floor at Hereford County Hospital. Follow the main corridor from the main entrance…

Eating a healthy diet and being physically active are especially important in pregnancy as your unborn baby has to get everything it needs to grow and develop from its mother. If your weight is higher or lower than the healthy range when you become pregnant, it can affect your pregnancy as well as your general health. What is a healthy weight? We use your height and weight to work out your body mass index (BMI). BMI Healthy range 18.5 to 25 Underweight less than 18.5 Overweight 25 to 30 Obese 30 and above During pregnancy there is a greater chance…

Herefordshire community falls prevention service is a free service for older people who have fallen, are at risk of or are worried about falling, or have concerns about their balance. Who is the service for? The service is for people who have had falls or stumbles, who feel they are at risk of falls, or who have lost confidence and are afraid of falling. How can we help you? The Falls Prevention Service can help you to: Identify the cause of falls Prevent further falls Improve strength, balance, mobility and dizziness  Regain confidence Maintain independence How can I access the…

What is an aneurysm? The aorta is the main blood vessel that supplies blood to the body. It runs from the heart down through the chest and abdomen. In some people, as they get older, the wall of the aorta in the abdomen can become weak. It can then start to expand and form what is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm, also known as an AAA or 'triple A'. The condition is most common among men aged 65 and over. Large aneurysms are rare but can be very serious. As the wall of the aorta stretches it becomes weaker and…

Service Overview The service aims to actively promote bladder and bowel continence.  We are able to identify and assess patients, give advice and best management for their incontinence needs, helping to improve their quality of life.  The service provides clinical assessment, advice and support for patients and their families.  We work closely with GPs, district nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, the dementia team, mental health, social services and care agencies to ensure a seamless service is provided.  We provide teaching to health and social care professionals.  Accessibility/Acceptability The service is offered to people four years and older who are registered with…

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…

Herefordshire Speech and Language therapy service can offer support for the following types of feeding, eating and swallowing difficulties: Ongoing Difficulties with bottle/breastfeeding Difficulties weaning onto solid foods Restricted diet/ extreme responses to food Swallowing difficulties associated with a range of medical and developmental conditions We cannot offer support for eating difficulties which are purely behavioural in origin.  However, these can be difficult to distinguish from other types of feeding difficulty and so assessment may be appropriate to establish the nature of the eating difficulty and identify alternative sources of support if necessary. Making a referral  Parents/Carers Herefordshire Speech and…

Health chiefs in England are encouraging parents to be aware of the signs of respiratory illnesses in young children, as data from Public Health England (PHE) shows cases are starting to rise in parts of the country. Respiratory illnesses, including colds and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are very common in young children and we see them every year. Last winter, due to the various restrictions in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, there were far fewer infections in younger people. This means many will not have developed immunity and so we may see more cases this year than in…