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A maternity unit has received additional funding to launch a two-year pilot to help revolutionise care for birthing mothers, minimising blood loss during childbirth and helping save lives.

Mid and South Essex Hospitals Charity has provided Broomfield Hospital’s maternity unit £5,000 for the programme, which is focused on reducing heavy bleeding after birth. 

Also known as postpartum haemorrhage (PPH), it affects 50,000 women a year in the UK and is the leading cause of maternal death.

The pilot will be using the fast-acting drug Fibrinogen, building on promising results from a study conducted in Wales, which highlighted its clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness. 

The drug is easier to store and works faster, with fewer side effects compared to traditional high-volume transfusions. It’s also more acceptable to those communities who would normally decline blood products.

Despite being a critical health concern, maternal outcomes related to PPH, which happens when more than a litre of blood is lost after delivery, have not shown any improvement across the country in over 15 years. The introduction of Fibrinogen at Broomfield could change that.

Dr Samantha Brayshaw, Anaesthetics Consultant, said: “Thanks to the generous donation from the Charity we’ve been able to purchase this medication which can improve the speed at which we treat women bleeding after childbirth, and are excited to be part of this life-changing study.”

“Because this advancement offers safer and faster care, it also reduces the potential time mums are separated from their babies during the all-important bonding period following birth by preventing, or significantly reducing time apart. This funding will improve their physical recovery and emotional well-being.”

Projects like this wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of Mid & South Essex Hospital Charity’s supporters. Donations from communities surrounding Basildon, Broomfield and Southend hospitals are crucial in making innovations such as this possible.