Doncaster & Bassetlaw Teaching Hospital's Maternity Services

15/10/2026

What is the Wave of Light?
Every year, the week ends with the Wave of Light on 15 October, a moment for families and loved ones to light candles to remember their much-loved babies at 7pm local time.

For some this is a private moment of reflection, while others share photos or videos of their candles on social media to connect with others taking part.

You can also share your virtual candle to illuminate social media with love. Join us on Instagram or Facebook and share your candle with and .

15/10/2026

https://www.tommys.org/get-involved/campaigns/baby-loss-awareness-week?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=24146690381&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIpdGM5r67lwMVqJJQBh15wD3nEAAYAiAAEgJ7VvD_BwE

This Baby Loss Awareness Week we are coming together to in support of all those whose much-loved and much-missed babies died too soon.

08/10/2026

We love hearing about the difference our colleagues make to patients and their families, and this lovely feedback from a mum who welcomed her baby boy earlier this year is no exception 🤱

Following a C-section, Natasha shared her thanks for the surgeons, recovery team and midwives who helped make her final birth experience so special: "The surgeons were amazing. They could tell I was nervous, so they helped talk me through the procedure while distracting me from everything that was going on around me.

"They dropped the curtain when they delivered my son, just as I had asked, and brought him straight round to me for skin-to-skin contact!"

She also shared a special thank you to Lee, who supported her with breastfeeding.

"I'll never forget him helping me when I was having trouble getting my boy to latch. He stayed with me every second, encouraging me to keep trying, and we've now gone five months of breastfeeding.

"Thank you to every single person who helped me throughout my pregnancy and during his birth. They made my final birth experience so magical!"

A huge thank you to our wonderful maternity colleagues for the compassion, reassurance and care they provide to families every day ❤️

06/10/2026

We’ve received some truly heartfelt feedback from a new mum following the birth of her baby boy at Doncaster Royal Infirmary ❤️

"Thank you so much to all the midwives, surgeons and the anaesthetist who helped deliver my baby boy on Monday 18th May via elective caesarean section. They were all amazing and made me feel at ease. I truly had the perfect experience.

"Thank you all."

We’re so proud of the teams who help bring new life into the world with such compassion and care - a huge well done to everyone 👏

06/10/2026

From Zimbabwe to Doncaster 🌍

When Happiness arrived in the UK in 2023, she never imagined that less than two years later she would be leading a team as Deputy Ward Manager on the Antenatal and Postnatal Ward at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Originally training as a Midwife in Zimbabwe, Happiness joined DBTH as a Rotational Midwife before progressing into leadership, completing development programmes and becoming a Cultural Safety Support Champion within our maternity services.

Reflecting on her journey, she said: “There are so many opportunities in the NHS. My Trust made us aware of them, and I just grabbed every one that came my way.”

Thank you to Happiness and all of our incredible maternity colleagues for the compassion, skill and dedication they show to women, babies and families every day 💜

06/10/2026

A huge shout-out to our maternity team at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, who received some wonderful feedback from a mum about her birth experience:

"I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone that helped with the safe arrival of my baby boy last Friday.

"I had an elective c-section as my baby was breech, I arrived to the M2 unit on Friday morning and was instantly put at ease by midwives Emily and Hannah. The whole surgical team looked after me so well during the surgery and midwife Hannah stayed with me and reassured me the whole time, nothing was too much to ask and she was so kind and smiley.

"I’m so thankful that Hannah was there throughout, she really made this experience so wonderful.

"All of the staff back down on the M2 ward were so helpful and the care was exceptional - Ruth, one of the maternity support workers, looked after me through the night and answered all my questions and couldn’t do enough to help.

"I’m so sorry that I didn’t know the name of the other lovely maternity support worker on the ward who was also so friendly and helpful!

"Nina, the lovely midwife, looked after me the following day. She was also so friendly and despite being rushed off her feet on the busy ward, she was so helpful and efficient in getting us home! Nina had so much time for us and made sure we had everything we needed.

"I had such a positive experience during my delivery at DRI and I’m so thankful and grateful to everyone that looked after us - my whole experience was incredible.

"Thank you ❤️"

Thank you to all our maternity colleagues for the compassionate care and support you provide to families every day 👏

06/10/2026

Trigger warning: this video discusses baby loss 👩‍🍼

We are inviting families who have welcomed a rainbow baby to join us at our rainbow cafe next Tuesday (13 October). The cafe will be taking place between 10am and 12pm in the Badminton Court at Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

To register your attendance, please follow the link in the comments 🤍

21/09/2026

Trigger warning: This post references baby loss.

Our Maternity Bereavement team are hosting a Rainbow Café – a warm, supportive and safe space for families who have welcomed a baby following a previous pregnancy loss.

The café will take place during Baby Loss Awareness Week on Tuesday 13 October, from 10am to 12pm, in the Badminton Hall at Doncaster Royal Infirmary (DRI).

Come along for a warm welcome, a cup of tea and the opportunity to meet and connect with other rainbow families.

Register your attendance: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/jnGF6vh7YB

For more information, please contact the Maternity Bereavement team on 07825 063432 or 07803 298833.

21/09/2026

Flu can cause serious illness during pregnancy, and vaccination helps to protect both mother and baby.

The vaccine is available at antenatal clinics across the Trust. Those attending can receive their vaccination as part of their appointment or, if they would prefer, arrange a dedicated appointment.

To book an appointment, speak to your midwife or contact the Community Hub on 01302 642794.

The flu vaccination is free during pregnancy and can be given at any stage.

Kat Taylor, Specialist Midwife for Public Health at DBTH, said: “Flu is much more than just a bad cold and can be serious during pregnancy.

“The flu vaccine is a quick, safe and free way to help protect you from becoming seriously unwell, and it also helps protect your baby during those important first few months after birth.

“We want to make getting vaccinated as easy as possible, so if you’re attending one of our antenatal clinics, please speak to your midwife or the team. I’d encourage all mums-to-be to take up the offer this season.”

Lois Mellor, Director of Midwifery at DBTH, said: “Keeping women and babies safe and well throughout pregnancy is at the heart of our maternity services, and vaccination is an important part of that.

“By offering the flu vaccine alongside antenatal care, as well as providing the option to book a dedicated appointment, we hope to make it as convenient as possible for mothers-to-be to protect themselves and their baby ahead of winter.”

Pregnant women can also receive their free flu vaccination through their GP surgery or participating community pharmacies.

Appointments are also available through the national NHS booking system.

Search ‘NHS flu vaccine’ online to find out more or book an appointment.

04/09/2026

Does the flu jab give you the flu? 🤔

Kat and Jane explain why the flu jab doesn’t give you the flu and how you can expect to feel after your jab.