Better Births at Calderdale and Huddersfield

21/11/2025

Researchers from the University of Lancashire would like to speak to mothers who have received maternity care from Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust to share their experiences of infant feeding support during pregnancy and the postnatal period. We hope this research will highlight what is working well in current care, and areas for potential improvements. You need to be 16 years old or over, have an infant under 24 months, and received maternity care from Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. Taking part involves one online (Using Microsoft Teams) interview. The interview will take about 30-40 minutes and can be organised at a time and date to suit you. We would like to give you a £25 voucher after the interview to thank you for your time. Please register your interest here:

20/11/2025

Congratulations Alice and family. Thankyou for sharing your lovely feedback for the staff who cared for you.

We arrived on labour and delivery to find out that baby girl was breech. I opted to try a vaginal delivery and was told that so many doctors and midwives would need to be in to make sure everything was going ok but my waters broke and an hour later she was here so not everyone made it in.

We can’t thank Jade and everyone else that dealt with us that night enough. They were all amazing!!!

So please say hello to Olive Anne Bray born 12.09.25 weighing 6lb 2oz 🥰🥰🥰

18/11/2025

Congratulations Stacey and family. Thankyou for sharing your birth story and lovely feedback.

I just wanted to share my birth story & personally thank my midwife Abby Sands. I had a very positive birth and that’s all down to Abby.

I came in at 40 weeks with reduced moments and went into MAC and everything was fine and induction was discussed. I wanted to see if my body would go into labour naturally before being induced but had a date booked for the 11th to have waters broke if nothing had happened since then. Sunday evening I had a stretch & sweep by Chloe who was so lovely and explained everything and answered my million questions and at this point I was 2cm.

5am Monday morning I woke up with cramps and had started to lose my mucus plug. I went back into MAC for monitoring as this had been recommended and everything was fine. From then till about 9pm Monday night the contractions were uncomfortable but manageable. 11pm they were every 5 minutes and taking my breath away, I phoned MAC who advised if I could stay at home longer to manage it but ring them if it gets worse. I managed till 5am but the pain was unbearable they invited me in and I was only 3cm and my waters hadn’t broken. They booked me to be induced that day and was told I’d receive a call.

I went home and had a bath, then 9am Tuesday morning the contractions were ramping up and my waters burst naturally. I went back into MAC where I was examined and was 4cm so taken to the labour ward. I just want to say every time I’ve been on MAC I have received the best care & reassurance so thank you.

My midwife was Abby Sands and she was absolutely amazing & made my whole labour and birthing story so positive.

I was told to expect to dilate 2cm every 4 hours, by 2.30pm I was 5cm then after bursting my remaining waters went to 6cm. In an hour I was 8cm in horrendous pain, with the feeling I needed to push by 6pm I was 10cm and only pushed for 36mins till our beautiful baby boy was brought into the world by Abby. Single handed & very calmly, she talked me through every step and made sure I could get through it when at times I really didn’t think it was possible. Abby was supposed to finish at 4pm but stayed on till 7pm to help with staffing pressures and I’m so happy she was the one to bring my son into the world.

I had a natural vaginal delivery with paracetamol & gas and air. Our son was born at 18.36pm on the 9th of September. I was then able to recover on the birth centre alongside my husband as I had been low risk and the care I received down there was outstanding.

I know for Abby it’s day in day out but I will remember her for the rest of my life. Thank you 💙

17/11/2025

Today is 'World Prematurity Day' where we want to sign post you to Bliss Charity who support parents who are experiencing their baby born either premature or sick.

Our wonderful neonatal colleagues will provide support to parents of babies on our Special Care Baby Unit or NICU but be assured that there are other forms of support for you too.

https://youtu.be/zVsqQp_5pcA
https://www.bliss.org.uk/support-bliss/world-prematurity-day/what-is-world-prematurity-day

Find out what World Prematurity Day is, and how Bliss gets involved in the UK and globally.

16/11/2025

Congratulations Emily and Kieran. Thankyou for sharing your homebirth story and lovely feedback.

Had another amazing home birth!
This time I was joined by the lovely Sam and Sophie who were both super calm, respectful and supportive throughout.

I also wanted to note how lovely Veronica was on the phone when I rang up to let the hospital know I was in labour. And a big shoutout to my amazing midwife Sally who was really supportive of my home birth from the very beginning.

Thank you so so much to everyone involved, I feel so grateful to have had another wonderful and stress free birth.
Lots of love, Emily, Kieran and baby Kai 💙

15/11/2025

Just pregnant? Or do you know someone who is (please share)?
💜PLEASE REGISTER AS SOON AS YOU FIND OUT YOU ARE PREGNANT so we can ensure that you are able to have any screening tests on offer, at the appropriate time and be able to support you in your plan of care. The sooner we know about your pregnancy, the better. 💜
Those wishing to birth under the care of Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Trust should book for care through 'My Pregnancy Notes website' AND if you have diabetes you should contact the Antenatal Clinic ASAP, please see the information on the Calderdale Maternity website: https://www.cht.nhs.uk/services/clinical-services/maternity-services/book-your-pregnancy

14/11/2025

Join us for a weekend of play at EUREKA
The National Children’s Museum in Halifax will be open on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16 November from 10am to 4pm.
There will be one-off activities for families and much more...
Find out more here https://calderdalefamilyhubs.org.uk/baby-week-2025/

14/11/2025

We are pleased to besupporting Calderdale’s Baby Week!
We will be showcasing activities and info for expectant families and families with babies and toddlers.
You can see what our wonderful, baby friendly borough has to offer here:
https://calderdalefamilyhubs.org.uk/baby-week-2025/

13/11/2025

Congratulations Lauren and Family. Thankyou for sharing your birth story and lovely feedback for the team.

Our baby boy Jasper Andie was born 29th July by emergency C section, he js just absolutely perfect! Myself and my husband are so grateful for the high standard of care we received 🤍

Sophie (midwife) was amazing, she put us at ease when we were settling into our room to have my waters broken and I immediately felt like me and my baby were in good hands (A little bit of AC/DC in the background also helped) 😂.
We can not thank Kareena (midwife) and Chloe(midwife)enough for the care they gave myself, Jasper and even my husband!

My labour didn’t end up the way we had hoped but thanks to the amazing care from Kareena, Chloe and the wonderful team working in theatre, Jasper made his appearance and kept everyone on their toes but is thriving ♥️

The MAC unit midwives were so supportive throughout my high risk pregnancy, I always felt listened to and reassured, sorry I couldn’t remember more names but you all do an incredible job 🤍
The support I have received with breastfeeding has been amazing, Thank you to the latch clinic staff for their support 🤍

12/11/2025

All our in person antenatal classes are fully booked and we are doing our best to sort those on the waiting list. Sadly 20-50% of those who book a place don't turn up on the day, so please, if you cannot attend please cancel to free up places for someone else.

You can book vaccines in pregnancy (VIP) and antenatal classes through our What'sOn website https://whatsonmaternity.cht.nhs.uk/

VIP clinic- new date Saturday 22nd November
Twins and Multiples antenatal class - Saturday 13th December
Feeding Your Baby [online] monthly
Labour & Birth [online] monthly
More face to face classes will be added soon ...

Maternity courses for the Calderdale Area

11/11/2025

Congratulations Katie and Simon. Thankyou for sharing your birth story and lovely feedback for the staff who cared for you

I just wanted to message to thank everyone on the safe arrival of our little boy Barney on 18th May 2025.

The midwife (Lily) who saw us in MAC after my waters broke were so helpful and kept me calm.
After I was taken to labour ward i was initially looked after by Jennifer and a student midwife. They were both amazing and Jennifer was so reassuring, patient and funny. She made the experience as enjoyable as possible. When the shift changed over I was then looked after by Sophie and Ellie for a short spell who were also amazing. She kept me calm even when complications happened.

Unfortunately I ended up having a c section but the doctors who performed this were fantastic and delivered my baby safely.
The midwives on the ward afterwards were fantastic and really looked after us during our stay.
Finally, a HUGE thank you to Becky my community midwife who was so supportive in the lead up to my birth but also afterwards.

From, Katie, Simon & Barney xx

10/11/2025

Flu vaccines can cause flu?
All vaccinations offered to pregnant women are not live vaccines, they are 'inactivated' which mean they cannot cause infection. What the vaccine does is to trick your immune system into recognising a foreign bocy which triggers the immune response and producing antibodies. That way if a real flu virus enters your body through your nose or mouth, the immune system is ready to take down the real invader quickly.
Some people have no symptoms following a flu vaccine, whilst others notice a sore arm and maybe a little rise in temperature for a few hours. This is just your immune system doing it's thing! There's also a chance that you have caught another virus causing respiratory symptoms, such as a cold virus. Best advice - wash your hands frequently, eat well, take your vitamins, get some fresh air every day, and get your flu jab!!