KIRKLEES has one of the worst baby death rates in the country, latest figures show.
Yet only half of all mums-to-be bother to see a midwife in the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy.
A total of 43 stillborn babies were delivered by hospital staff at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust last year.
The numbers give Kirklees a rate of 7.2 stillborn babies per 1,000 births for 2008/09.
It is the second highest in Yorkshire, behind Bradford which has 7.7 stillborns per 1,000 births.
The Yorkshire average was 5.7, while there were none at all in the Bridlington, Malton or Whitby areas last year.
The number of infants dying under the age of one is also higher in Kirklees than other parts of the country.
A shocking 6.7 children per 1,000 live births die in their first year compared with a national average of just 4.9.
Kirklees also has the second highest number of low birth weight babies in the region, with 8.7 per 1,000 births under 2.5kg or 5lb 5oz.
Today public health director Dr Judith Hooper, of NHS Kirklees, stressed work was ongoing to educate those women who are considered to be most at-risk.
But she said smoking, poor nutrition, obesity and alcohol all contributed to the health of babies born in the area.
She said: “The findings of a 2008 report highlighted important factors affecting local infant mortality.
“In particular these include the mother’s smoking and nutrition which greatly influences the health of their unborn child – and the health of their existing children – into their own adulthood.
“Extensive work continues to be done to provide the right advice and guidance both to women who are considering children and to women throughout their whole pregnancy”, Dr Hooper added.
“Access to this information and guidance has been very much improved”, she said.
“It and is now available across the area.
“It is available from GP surgeries, children’s centres, the hospital, libraries, council information points and other places that local people go to for information.
“Women are encouraged to book an appointment with a midwife as soon as they know they are pregnant.
“This ensures that they can then have a full health and well- being assessment as early as possible,” Dr Hooper added.
“Other local initiatives include developing pregnancy support work with staff, developing peer supporters to support women in the early stages of pregnancy, eating well and quitting smoking.”
Data from Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust shows only 51% of all pregnant women had booked in with a midwife by the time they were 12 weeks pregnant.
A shocking 49% were seen by midwives for the first time after the first three months of their pregnancy.
The information came as a report by the Nursing and Midwifery Council was published this week, highlighting major differences in maternity care across the country.
