A NEW service has been launched to help women in Ludlow and south Shropshire who develop complications or have concerns about their pregnancy.

Women are now able to call a new hotline number – 01952 565948 – if they suffer complications or have concerns during their pregnancy for which they want advice.

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

If the complications are such that a woman needs to be checked further, 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 has been running 24-hours-a-day, seven days-a-week since January 11.

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

“Our new triage system means 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 are being seen quickly, depending on the urgency of their complication, and they are given 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 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 Ludlow, Bridgnorth, Oswestry, Shrewsbury and Telford, have a central number to call if they have concerns during their pregnancy.”