Midwife urges mother of baby boy found dead in Hampshire woodland to seek medical help

The distressing discovery was made in Shore Road, Hythe, near Southampton, just after 2pm on Thursday.

Police trying to find the baby boy's mother say they are becoming ‘increasingly concerned’ for her welfare.

Suzanne Cunningham of Southampton General Hospital has now made an appeal to the woman.

She said: ‘This will undoubtedly have been a very distressing time for you and it is vitally important you seek medical assistance.

‘I would urge you to please make contact with someone who can help you.

‘You may not want to call the police, but please speak to someone – be that a healthcare professional, a GP or by attending a hospital.

‘Both they and we want to help you.

‘You may be concerned about a friend or relative, they may not have been acting their normal self or look their normal self.

‘If you have concerns about someone who you know has recently been heavily pregnant or believe may have been, I would urge you to get in touch.

‘Your call could be vitally important for the welfare of the mother of this baby boy.’

Hampshire police said officers will continue their enquiries in the area throughout the weekend.

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Inspector Helen Andrews added: ‘Our priority remains ensuring the welfare of the mother of this boy.

‘We can now say that we believe the boy was born either full-term or close to full-term and believe he is white.

‘Our officers have been carrying out house-to-house enquiries today and will be in the area through the weekend.

‘If you have any concerns, please approach them and they will be happy to speak with you.’

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting Operation Verse or the reference 44200084127.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or submit a report using the force's online portal at https://mymsg.eu/8e7c