Nlagmaternity

09/03/2026

Pelvic Health and Pelvic Floor

EVERYONE should be doing pelvic floor exercises. We shouldn’t be waiting for a problem. You are more at risk of incontinence during pregnancy or after childbirth due to the changes in hormones and the extra weight caried in pregnancy. It is never too late to start your pelvic floor exercises. Try starting off getting to know which muscles you need to activate and how you can improve your strength.

The muscles which are worked on whilst doing your pelvic floor exercises are the muscles supporting the bladder, uterus, va**na and bowel. Experiencing pelvic health problems during and after pregnancy are something we can try and avoid.

You are invited register for a free app to help improve their symptoms. The NHS England "Squeezy" app is available for all women across the region up to 12 months after giving birth.

The app provides information and guidance on pelvic floor health and exercises. The app includes a diary to log symptoms and management.

Register now through the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS) website for Humber and North Yorkshire!

https://www.humberandnorthyorkshirematernity.org.uk/perinatal-pelvic-health-services-/squeezy-app/

If you have ongoing concerns in pregnancy please make a referral now -

09/03/2026

08/03/2026

📞Call the midwife or GP 📞

If you are under 16 weeks with pain or bleeding in pregnancy contact your GP/out of hours or 999.

Any non-urgent pregnancy related concerns in early pregnancy would be through your community midwife or the ask a midwife team.

From 16 weeks, pregnancy related urgent concerns should be Maternity Assessment Centre (MAC), non-urgent pregnancy concerns should be your community midwife and non-pregnancy related concerns should be GP, 111, emergency department or 999.

Although you are pregnant you may still need medical support by other health professionals. Do not delay seeing a doctor if you have a concern about your health and wellbeing.

07/03/2026

Vaccinations in pregnancy. See https://www.daisi-research.co.uk/

07/03/2026

🏥Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) awareness month 🏥

💥If you have any of these symptoms ensure you access urgent medical care 💥

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition where a blood clot forms in a deep vein in the body, usually in the leg.

If the clot breaks off into the bloodstream, it can block a blood vessel in the lungs.
This is called a pulmonary embolism and needs emergency treatment.

Access urgent medical care from your GP or 111 if you have:
💥Pain, swelling or tenderness in 1 leg (rarely both legs), usually at the back of your lower leg (calf) or thigh.
💥The pain may be worse when you walk
💥Skin warm to touch in the painful area
💥Red or darkened skin (maybe more difficult on brown or black skin)
💥Swollen veins that are hard or sore to touch

Although mostly common to have a blood clot in the leg, you may also experience these symptoms in the arm or tummy (where the blood clot might be)

Call 999 immediately if you:
💥 You have sudden difficulty breathing
💥 You have pain or tightness in your chest or upper back
💥You are coughing up blood

🤰🏼During pregnancy it's common to have swelling or discomfort in your legs, so this on its own does not always mean there's a serious problem.

💉You will be risk assessed in your pregnancy and after you have given birth and you may be required to take blood thinning injections to prevent a DVT.

You are at increased risk if:
🔴over 60 years
🔴Overweight
🔴Smoker
🔴Known DVT before
🔴Contraceptive pill or HRT
🔴Cancer or heart faliure
🔴Varicose veins

Situations which might increase your risk:
🔵Travelling for longer than 4 hours (long-haul travel)
🔵Post operative cares
🔵Confined to bed
🔵Hospital stay
🔵Pregnant or had a baby in the last 6 weeks
🔵Dehydrated

For more non urgent advice on DVT's then message the Ask A Midwife Team, if you have an urgent matter please contact your GP, 111.

06/03/2026

🌟Ovarian cancer awareness month🌟

in the UK over 7000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year

This month is dedicated to raise awareness, symptoms, early detection and treatment

Did you know studies have shown that breastfeeding reduces your risk of ovarian cancer. Another reason to breastfeed if you can to protect your future health ❤

Signs and symptoms:
❓Persistent bloating
❓Pelvic or abdominal pain
❓Difficulty eating or getting full quickly
❓Changes in your bladder habits (frequency and urgency)
❓Fatigue
❓Unexplained weight loss or gain
❓Changes in bowel habits (diarrhoea or constipation)
❓Abnormal va**nal bleeding

New, frequent and persistent symptoms - always consult your GP for more investigations and support

06/03/2026

🌸Is your baby getting enough milk?🌸

have some informative videos to help you with your breastfeeding journey

If you have any questions about your infant feeding journey please reach out to the ask a midwife team ❤

A common concern of a new mother is whether her baby is getting enough milk. This video shows signs to tell whether the baby is feeding well.

05/03/2026

TONIGHT!

Please join us 7pm - 8:30pm in the pregnancy assessment centre Scunthorpe.

05/03/2026

🌸 This weeks Thankyou Thursday comes from Abbie

‘I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in my pregnancy from start to finish. I was high risk due to the fact my cervix doesn't like to play ball and I've previously lost two babies at late stages and also have had a 24weeker (now nearly 4yrs old) . Anyway I would like to thank Kim who was in the sdec area when I went in with worries early on in my pregnancy, she was amazing and even got me reassurance scans until I was 16wks, the Dr that pushed for me to see Mr shendy (apologies I can't remember her name but saw her a few times)

Mr shendy for going through all of my previous pregnancies and finding out why I lost my first baby, he then gave me a cervical stitch at 11wks, to tia for catching me and caring for me after my stitch surgery (catching as the spinal hadn't quite wore off yet) to all the ladies in triage that saw me on too many occasions to keep my mind at ease. Then my waters broke at 33+4, lovely Rebecca who cut my stitch and stayed to see/help my son be born after a night shift, all of the team who was there when my stitch was put in also was there to see my son born, Mr shendy delivered my son, the man who made this happen by putting the stitch in so early. We will forever be grateful for that. Also of course we can't forget Anne who kept me calm whilst in labour and cheered me on to keep pushing. Grateful for the nicu nurses too for a 13 day stay. Sorry for the long post but all was worth a mention so thank you to you all.’

Thank you for your kind words 🌸

If you would like to submit your story or feedback for 'Thank You Thursday' regarding any members of staff involved in your care, please message the page or email hny.Ims@nhs.net

Any feedback you wish to formally submit can be sent here:

https://www.nlg.nhs.uk/patients/experience/feedback-form/

04/03/2026

👩‍⚕Endometriosis awareness month 👨‍⚕

Sometimes endometriosis is found around the womb area (ovaries, fallopian tubes and the lining around the pelvis and rarely the bowel and bladder)

You normally become symptomatic of this when the endometriosis breaks down and bleeds but unable to leave your body.

Signs and symptoms -
💥Severe period pain
💥Heavy periods requiring changing tampons or pads every 1-2 hours
💥Lower tummy and back pain - not associated with your period
💥Pain on passing urine or opening your bowels
💥Pain during or after sexual in*******se
💥Pain or bleeding in other areas (such as your chest) - coughing up blood
💥Difficulty getting pregnant
💥Low mood and extreme tiredness (fatigue)

Ensure you get the right medical support depending on where you are in your journey.
👉🏼If you are pregnant let your health care provider know your medical history
👉🏼If you think you have Endometriosis reach out to your GP for more support, testing and investigations
👉🏼www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-fertility-and-pregnancy for ongoing support

Sometimes it can be frustrating getting a diagnosis for Endometriosis as there is no single blood test and scans might not always show the condition.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/ (image and information)

03/03/2026

🤰Do you know about folic acid?

🤰If you did not take folic acid before you conceived, you should start as soon as you find out you're pregnant.

🤰Supplements are easy to find in most supermarkets and pharmacies. The higher dose can be prescribed to you by your GP prior to falling pregnant, or before your first midwife appointment.

🤰You might be entitled to free healthy start vitamins in pregnancy and up until your baby is one year old.

🤰Just click on this link and insert your postcode to find out where the nearest centre is for you to collect some:
https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/getting-vitamins/

02/03/2026

💭 Eating disorders awareness week💭

🎗Getting the right support can help you during your pregnancy. If you have a current eating disorder or previously had an eating disorder your obstetric team, midwife and GP can help support you through your pregnancy and beyond.

🤰An eating disorder can look different for everybody. An eating disorder can be a coping mechanism for dealing with your own mental health. Some people will over eat, not eat enough or you may worry about your weight or body image.

❤This can make you become unwell, physically and mentally. You may have been diagnosed with an eating disorder or you might be concerned about your relationship with food. If you are concerned about your thoughts, feelings or behaviour around food do reach out to a health professional for support.

Known types of eating disorders can be:
💙Anorexia
💙Bulimia
💙Binge eating disorder (BED)
💙Other specified or eating disorders (OFSED)

Some signs and symptoms that you might have an eating disorder include:
💙Restricting certain foods such as strict habits or routines
💙Binge eating food
💙Worrying about your body image
💙Avoiding social events especially when this involves food
💙excessively
💙Making yourself sick or taking laxatives

Having the right support to look after yourself, your body and your pregnancy is important for you and your baby’s wellbeing. Some people are able to make changes and adaptions to their routine during pregnancy however other people find this a really stressful time with changes in relationships with food and changes with their body.

Complications during pregnancy with an eating disorder
💙Growth concerns with baby such as Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR)
💙Miscarriage
💙Preterm birth
💙Low birth weight baby