Relax Stretch & Breathe

Two thousand babies – the highest number in the UK – have now been treated at home for their jaundice thanks to an innovative light therapy service.💙

The Home Phototherapy Service, delivered by the Neonatal Community Outreach Team (NCOT), supports families whose babies are born at Heartlands, Good Hope and Birmingham Women's hospitals. The specialist neonatal nurses who make up NCOT play a vital role in promoting and supporting safe, early discharge from the Neonatal Unit, ensuring babies with additional medical needs receive expert care in the comfort of their own homes.

Not only does this support babies' recovery, but it also gives parents precious time together as a family while receiving expert care and daily support from the Neonatal Community Outreach Team.

Mahreen, whose son Eisa received phototherapy treatment at home, said: "When we were told Eisa needed treatment for jaundice, we were worried and assumed it would mean staying in hospital for several more days. We had no idea that home phototherapy was even an option.

"Being able to take our baby home while still getting the treatment he needed made such a difference to us as a family. We could relax in our own surroundings, get some rest and spend precious time together without the stress of being on a busy ward.

"The team explained everything clearly and checked in with us every day, which gave us real peace of mind."

To find out more, read the full article on our website using the link in the comments below.👇

Why is a landmark Australian court ruling relevant to UK maternity care? ⚖️

The Supreme Court of Victoria has found an Australian hospital guilty of battery and negligence for pressuring a woman to accept a vaginal exam in labour that she did not want and repeatedly declined.

This is a fact pattern that will feel familiar to many in the UK. In our "End Coercion" report, 81% of survey respondents told us they were informed they were "not allowed" to make certain choices about their care.

Our latest blog unpacks this important case and why it should serve as a wake-up call to all trusts, LMNS and healthcare professionals in the UK's maternity care systems.

Read it here: 🔗 https://bit.ly/Gawthrop

For any one who’s interested xx

🤰🏾🔮Birth Balls By 🔮🧘🏽‍♀️

Do you use Birth Balls in your hospital?

📖 Positive effects of birthing balls supported by studies -

1. Reduction in labour pain (subjective experience)

• Some systematic reviews and trials also support a statistically significant decrease in pain during the active stage of labour when a birth ball is used.
• A trial among primigravidae (first-time mothers) reported lower VAS pain scores in those who used birthing ball exercises versus controls.
• Another RCT found that birth ball use improved childbirth self-efficacy (i.e. confidence in coping) and reduced pain.

2. Shortening of labour / improved labour progression

• Several studies report that use of a birth ball is associated with shorter first-stage labour, faster cervical dilation, or faster descent of the fetal head.
• A recent meta-analysis (2025) concluded that birthing ball exercises reduce cesarean rates, alleviate labour pain, and shorten the first stage of labour.

3. Increased maternal satisfaction, sense of control, and psychological benefits

• Several studies report that women using a birth ball report greater satisfaction, less anxiety, more sense of control, and empowerment in labour.
• The self-efficacy study (Gau et al.) showed improved confidence in ability to cope with labour.

4. Potential effect on cesarean delivery rates / mode of delivery.

• A 2025 meta-analysis suggests that birth ball exercises may reduce cesarean section rates.

5. Safety and no obvious adverse effects

• Meta-analyses and systematic reviews, generally report no increased risk of adverse maternal or neonatal outcomes associated with birth ball use.

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