Cash aid for obesity in pregnancy project

The money has come from an "innovations fund" launched by NHS East Midland in September 2009, which will hand out 2m to various projects over the next three years.

Janet Cresswell, who is heading the scheme in Chesterfield, said: "One of our midwives heard about a similar project elsewhere that uses Slimming World sessions during pregnancy, where women attend in two 12-week programmes in the second and third trimesters.

"The theory is that expectant mothers are in close contact with health professionals and pregnancy is a time where a lot of weight can be put on that is difficult to lose after pregnancy.

"These midwife-led sessions will advise on a healthy eating plan that will not affect the growth of the baby.

"The money awarded will go towards midwife time and the Slimming World sessions and has been set for an initial two-year trial period.

"It will be monitored and audited and, if it is successful, then we hope it will secure more funding."

NHS East Midlands received a total of170 bids for money from the innovations fund, and 28 projects across the region have benefited from the first round of grants.

Ms Cresswell added: "We're delighted to have been awarded this money in the first round of grants."

Kathy McLean, medical director at NHS East Midlands, said: "By financially supporting the wide variety of innovative projects that have been allocated funds, we offer more creative solutions; closer partnership working across different staff and organisations and speed up the rate of implementation."