New hotline will help worried pregnant women

From January 11, women will be able to pick up the phone if they suffer complications or have concerns during their pregnancy.

The hotline will be staffed by a midwife who will be able to provide advice and reassurance.

If complications arise, the midwife will refer them to the antenatal ward in the Shropshire Women and Children's Centre at the Princess Royal Hospital in Telford where a new obstetrics triage area will be running 24-hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.

Claire Murgatroyd, antenatal ward manager, said: "Pregnancy is generally safe for mothers and babies, but sometimes events can occur that cause concern.

"Our new triage system will mean that if a woman has concerns during her pregnancy she can call a dedicated number to seek advice, and if she needs to be seen by one of our staff, she will be asked to attend our antenatal ward.

"Women will be seen quickly, depending on the urgency of their complication, and they will have a confidential consultation with a midwife.

"Urgent problems, for example heavy bleeding, will require prompt attention, while other situations may need investigating less urgently.

"These improvements will mean that any woman who is due to give birth either at the Shropshire Women and Children's Centre or at our Midwife-Led Units (MLUs) in Bridgnorth, Ludlow, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Telford, will have a central number to call if they have concerns during their pregnancy.

"Our aim is that this will improve the experience for women using our services. It will bring a number of improvements for women as it will mean one number for all to use, they won't have to make an appointment, and they will be seen quickly by a trained midwife. Some women can be seen locally at their MLU if they live a long way from Telford if their condition is suitable."

The triage system was developed at Birmingham Women's Hospital and is being evaluated as part of a project with Birmingham and Warwick Universities.

Health bosses say women are advised to seek advice as soon as possible if they are concerned during their pregnancy. Some of the events or conditions they may need to seek advice about include; abdominal pain, feeling breathless, severe itching on the skin and not feeling the baby move.

From January 11 pregnant women who have concerns during their pregnancy are asked to call the antenatal triage midwife on (01952) 565948. In the meantime, women are asked to contact their named midwife.