Complementary Therapy programmes at the Maternity Unit,
George Eliot Hospital, NHS Trust

Recently I was delighted to be invited by Sue Mousley, for a special visit to review and discuss Complimentary Therapy in the maternity care programme at the Hospital based in Warwickshire. The Maternity Service were joint winners of the 2005 Prince of Wales Good Practice Award for Integrated Healthcare, in recognition of its approach to providing a holistic package of care designed to support women in keeping the birth process as natural as possible.

I didn't not know exactly what to expect. I have been interested in babies and child care since I wrote about it in my first book "The Hand Book" in 1984. I have always been passionate about the work of Midwives which I think is such a wonderful work to help women bring children to the world.
 
My curiosity was even more pronounced knowing Sue was using aromatherapy among other complementary therapies. I met Sue two years ago when I presented her with the 'Marguerite Maury' award, for the work she had done, using and integrating aromatherapy as a complementary therapy in the Maternity Care Unit
 
Also attending was David Tredinnick, MP for Bosworth. I had met him previously at a House of Commons launch party celebrating the Aromatherapy profession and the work achieved by Carol Preen for regulation with the use of Aromatherapy. It was so good to talk with him again as he knows so much on complementary therapies and had been involved in trying to integrate alternative therapies into Hospitals.
  
At the hospital presentations were Consultants, Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, who had a keen interest in practical complementary ways of treatments. In our visit to the delivery suite, I saw the aromatherapy essential oils which they use for Reflexology and Hypnotherapy, practised by qualified and trained midwives.

We saw evidence of the Bach and flower remedies which are working well in the wards with other complimentary therapies. One mother spoke of her experience of having her baby in the birthing pool with the aromatherapy blend provided. She said that these definitely helped her relax during labour and also used some of the self hypnotherapy techniques which she had been taught. It had helped her focus on the positive aspects of the birth and would certainly choose to come to the George Eliot Maternity Unit again.
 
The Postnatal ward inspired confidence by the way it was set up. It was good to talk to the group nurses and Ward Manager Linda Edwards, who I had already met a few times before with Sue. I was very interested about the nappies which are being researched and on trial in the Unit Ward. The good thing about them they can be washed and reused. They come with a pack of practical disposable linings. These are environmentally friendly, easy to use, economical and easily adjusted as the baby grows. The Midwives all thought they were excellent. 
 
I felt really privileged to have been invited and shown the work at the hospital. It was a wonderful and valuable experience to see such innovative caring work done with good spirit. These unique alternative therapy services they are providing will benefit thousands of parents and babies.
 
Danièle 

If you would like further information on the George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, see: http://www.geh.nhs.uk/services/maternity/index.htm