The perinatal pelvic health service (PPHS) was launched at the University Hospital of Hartlepool last summer – offering specialist support to women experiencing pelvic floor problems during pregnancy and up to 12-months after birth.
The service has already helped more than 450 women in its first 12 months and Perinatal Pelvic Health Specialist Midwife Kelly Nixon says it aims to continue its success.
She said: “By providing timely, specialist care, our service seeks to reduce the number of women living with pelvic floor problems after childbirth and later in life. These symptoms are common but not normal and many women do not seek help. Our service is designed to change that. We are open, honest and frank with our patients as we work to resolve their pelvic floor issues.”
Kelly added: “We can offer a range of support including a weekly telephone assessment clinic, face‑to‑face clinics run by a specialist midwife and physiotherapist and consultant‑led clinics for women requiring specialist review. We’re here to help.”
The news came during the International Day of the Midwife, with Hannah Matthews, Head of Midwifery, saying: “The success of the perinatal pelvic health service shows what midwives can do.
Midwives are clinical specialists and leaders in their own right.” She added: “Working with a team of experts across a range of clinical subjects has resulted in the team developing an incredible new service. We’re lucky to have midwives in our hospital who set that example of leadership during every shift they work.”
