A team of midwives will be supporting low risk Walsall women and ensuring they see the same midwives throughout their pregnancy and birth.
The Wyndlow team – named in honour of local nursing heroine Sister Dora Wyndlow Pattison – implements “continuity of carer” which was rolled out across the country as part of Better Births. Evidence has shown that women who receive care from the same small team of midwives, are less likely to experience preterm births, lose their baby in pregnancy or in the first month following birth.
At Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust the Wyndlow team is made up of joint Team Leads Laura Parsons and Natalie Bullock with Sophie McKeown, Vicky Pickford and Rachel Rowley and is based at the Midwifery-Led Unit in Charles Street.
Laura Parsons, interim Matron for Community/MLU/OPD said: “Women have told us they want continuity of carer and this approach certainly brings benefits both throughout pregnancy and during the all-important first weeks following birth.
“If women are seeing the same one or two midwives they build up a much more meaningful relationship; they have someone they can trust and turn to for advice rather than having to try and confide in another new face if they have any worries or concerns.”
Laura added: “Our midwives also benefit from this too. If they can get to know a woman and develop a relationship during her pregnancy this helps her have a positive experience of pregnancy and birth that she carries into the early weeks of parenthood. Continuity of carer also emphasises the importance of collaboration with colleagues across maternity services.
“Women remember their midwives and their birth experience many, many years down the line and our Wyndlow team aims to make these memories positive and empowering.”
The trust also supports mums-to-be through other continuity of carer teams and pathways – the Wren (Women requiring extra nurturing) team and the planned caesarean section continuity team. There are plans for other continuity of care pathways in the future.
