Waterbirth has many benefits including: Lower chance of postpartum haemorrhage Lower chance of having an episiotomy Decreased need for stronger pain relief (epidural and pethidine) Lower chance of perineal trauma A more positive birth experience No difference in baby’s wellbeing at birth (Burns et al, 2022) Systematic review and meta-analysis to examine intrapartum interventions, and maternal and neonatal outcomes following immersion in water during labour and waterbirth | BMJ Open Waterbirth is offered routinely for women who have had an uncomplicated pregnancy. The criteria for women wishing to use water at Hereford are:  BMI < 35 Baby is in a…

The County Hospital children's ward has been transformed into a colourful magical wonderland thanks to a local artist. Nurses on the children's ward, inspired by the work of local artist, Tom Roberts, fundraised for the design of a mural, to create a welcoming, familiar, and colourful environment for the children they care for. The beautiful mural meanders through the corridors, playroom, treatment rooms and patient bays and gives a brighter outlook for the children, parents and staff. The mural gives the children a focal point to help distract them when having procedures, and helps aid their recovery by creating a…

Comfort measures in labour and birth

Welcome to our paediatric outpatient department and Children's Ward.  The Paediatric department (Children's ward) provides inpatient and outpatient treatment of medical and surgical conditions, in children from birth up to the seventeenth birthday. The Children's ward deals with medical conditions and also provides facilities for many surgical specialties. The majority of children needing surgery can be treated in Hereford.  However, surgery in young children (generally under two years of age) and specialist surgery is referred to a specialist Children’s hospital, usually Birmingham. Both the medical and surgical specialties at The County Hospital have good links with Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Several…

 WVT is a member of the NHS pension scheme, which is generally considered to be one of the most advantageous schemes for the employee. If you are eligible you will be automatically enrolled into the NHS Pension Scheme.  The scheme is eligible to all NHS workers between the age of 16 and 75, who are directly employed by the NHS, are medical, dental and ophthalmic practitioners and trainees, are general medical practice staff, are staff working for certain approved employers, are non-general practice providers. There are seven rates of member contribution, ranging from 5 per cent of pensionable pay for the lowest earners to…

What will happen during my induction of labour? Your midwife will ask to take your observations (blood pressure, temperature, pulse, oxygen levels, breathing rate) The midwife will then ask to monitor your baby’s heartrate continuously for around 30 minutes on a CTG monitor Your midwife will then ask for your consent to carry out a vaginal examination to assess your cervix The midwife will then insert the prostaglandin (Propess) high in your vagina Your baby’s heart rate will then be monitored for another 30 minutes to check baby hasn’t immediately been affected To help encourage tightenings, it is important to…

thePoint4 As a Wye Valley NHS Trust employee, thePoint4 offers a fantastic membership discount, whether it be the sports hall, astro pitch, fitness suite, group exercise classes, massage, spa, hydrotherapy or meeting room. There certainly is more than just one reason to come and visit thePoint4!  To find out about thePoint4 click here. Halo Wye Valley NHS Trust staff can join Halo, health and fitness centre, at discounted rates.  Halo offers a wide range of facilities including a gym, swimming, sauna, classes, personal trainers, golf, library relaxation and beauty therapies. To find out about Halo click here 

Back to Rapid Cardiology The two carotid arteries are the main vessels that supply blood to the brain. They originate from the main arteries of the body (the aorta and brachiocephalic artery) in the chest and travel up through the neck and into the skull. Atherosclerosis of the right or left carotid artery is the most common cause of a stroke. A carotid duplex scan is a technique to take a picture of these arteries using sound waves (ultrasound). A sound-wave transducer is placed gently on the neck. The walls and interior of the artery are visualised and the velocity…