A new specialist midwife has been appointed at maternity departments in Hull, Grimsby and Scunthorpe, to help anyone experiencing pelvic health problems after pregnancy.
According to Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, one in three new mothers experience urinary incontinence in the three months following pregnancy, while one in 12 report symptoms of pelvic prolapse after giving birth.
Now, NHS Humber Health Partnership, which works alongside hospital trusts across the region, has appointed Laura Caldicott as its first Pelvic Health Midwife.
She will be on hand to offer support to the 8,700 women who give birth every year in Hull, Goole, Grimsby and Scunthorpe.
Laura said: “This wasn’t a service that could be accessed easily in the past and it was seen as a taboo subject. People have been too embarrassed to talk about it and we want to change that. We know these symptoms aren’t normal but they are common and people can get help and support, rather than suffering alone.”
Laura will be raising awareness of the problem at monthly HEY Baby Carousel events held at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital and at public events held by maternity services at Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby, Goole Hospital and Scunthorpe General Hospital.
A key part of her role will be working alongside the Women’s Health Physio Teams at Hull University Teaching Hospitals and Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals, to help treat those experiencing pelvic health problems or anyone who had major tears during the birth of their babies referred to the service.
She will also educate other maternity staff on the prevalence of the problem and how to refer those who may be experiencing pelvic floor issues to the service.
(Image: Freestocks / Unsplash)
Part of the Gi Grimsby News team since 2020.