A new interactive programme inspired by a popular playground game is seeking to help support and empower expectant parents during their labour and birth.

The ‘Labour Hopscotch’ initiative will help ‘prepare mind and body’ for birth through a series of colourful stations located across the maternity unit in NHS Fife’s Victoria Hospital which provide a series of guided exercises, relaxation techniques and coping strategies.

Local midwife Louise Hepburn who helped bring the initiative to life in Victoria Hospital said:

“Labour Hopscotch can generally be started from around 20 weeks of pregnancy and aims to enhance the overall birthing experience by helping move your baby into the best position for birth.

“It’s more than just a tool; it's an empowering journey for women and their partners. By providing them with knowledge and practical techniques, we hope to enhance their confidence and create a more positive birthing experience.”

The guided exercise stations ‘mobilise’, ‘stool’, ‘birthing ball’ and ‘mat’ are designed to promote optimal foetal positioning, aid the baby’s descent, and allow the head to rotate into the pelvis.

The mat activities also include techniques to relieve pain supported by different positions on a yoga mat.

Meanwhile, a ‘toilet’ station makes sure pregnant women empty their bladder to avoid blocking the baby’s head from descending.

An ‘alternative therapy’ station helps parents explore different pain relief and stress-reducing options including aromatherapy, acupressure and massage.

The stations are complemented by an online resource developed by NHS Fife, wherein local midwife Louise Hepburn provides step-by-step video guidance on how to make the most of the support.

The inspiration for developing the initiative in NHS Fife came after a visit from the programme creator and Irish midwife Sinead Thompson.

Ms Thompson visited the Fife team after developing the hopscotch framework at University College Dublin – beginning as a visual birthing tool detailing the rotating “steps” to perform during labour.

NHS Fife’s Louise Hepburn said:

“When Sinead came over, we quickly saw the benefits of using something so visually striking and user-friendly and it was clear that this would be a valuable resource for our expectant parents.

“It’s early days but since the stations have gone up feedback from women and their partners has been good. We have even had international interest in our work with a delegation from an Icelandic hospital coming to visit us in October.”

Read more: Glasgow pilots at-home newborn jaundice treatment; ‘Fundamental shift' needed for perinatal care; Breastfeeding in Glasgow: A collective responsibility; Perinatal and infant mental health funding extended; Women facing birth problems years later