The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Local Maternity and Neonatal System (WY&H LMNS) is promoting maternity (also known as antenatal) care beginning at the earliest stage of pregnancy so women can be given the information and support they need to have a healthy pregnancy.
WY&H LMNS is a partnership of maternity and neonatal service providers, including our six local hospital trusts, commissioners, local authorities and Maternity Voices Partnerships working together to transform maternity services in West Yorkshire and Harrogate.
Following an equity and equality analysis, our Trusts have been challenged with increasing the rates of women being seen by a midwife earlier in their pregnancy journey. Local data shows that booking rates differ in some parts of the region and are much lower in some groups than in others and this can affect the health of both mothers and babies, it’s important we address this inequality and work together with
our healthcare colleagues and maternity partnerships to increase awareness of the importance of early booking.
Speak with a midwife is a local campaign that was developed using behavioural insights to identify relevant barriers and facilitators that influence early pregnancy care decisions. It encourages woman to book an appointment with a midwife as soon as they find out their pregnant and was co-produced with local woman representative of our diverse communities.
The campaign launched across West Yorkshire and Harrogate on 18 September 2023. It is intended to be a long-term behaviour change campaign that is made sustainable throughout our communities. Read more here.
A large selection of resources has been made available online for partners to use to help raise awareness and share with local people. A ‘Speak with a midwife’ PowerPoint presentation is available and provides a comprehensive background on the importance of this work, aims, objectives and how it was developed, this can be edited for local briefings. 
In phase II we are sharing how local woman benefited from booking early in their pregnancy and two local midwives will also feature in the campaign. See photograph of Esha (right) who shared her experience of booking early in the pregnancy.
A photograph from Leeds Baby Week 2023 where they used 'Speak with a midwife' resources. Find out more about what will happen at the first appointment and more by visiting: speakwithamidwife.co.uk