The journey into parenthood can be both an exciting and anxious time for families. By providing and sign posting you to information surrounding key topics and areas, we can help you to feel informed and reassured when making the choices that are right for you.
If you have any questions about this information, then please do not hesitate to ask a member of the maternity team.
Antenatal courses can help you prepare for your baby’s birth, feeding your baby and their first few days of life. Classes that are in person are a good way to meet and make friends with other parents expecting babies around the same time as you who can help support you through your parenting journey.
Exercise during and after pregnancy is considered safe for most people and actively encouraged. There are some conditions or situations where this may not be encouraged and therefore checking with your Midwife, GP or Obstetrician would be advised.
One of the best things you can do for the health of you and your family is to stop smoking. There is a wealth of support and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) options available. Please speak to your GP, Midwife or Health Visitor at anytime to discuss stopping smoking.
There are various screening tests that can be offered during and after pregnancy for you and your baby. Below contains information on what some of those screening tests might be and the information on possible outcomes.
Pelvic health includes control of bladder and bowel, your vagina, your sexual health, pelvic muscles and joints. Improving your pelvic health and seeking support if problems arise is essential to your wellbeing. Please see the below animation and weblink for a better understanding of your pelvic health, techniques and advice to prevent damage around pregnancy and birth, when and how to seek support from a health professional including self-assessment and referral to services.
There is a wealth of information and resources available for most topics in pregnancy and following birth. Below is a collection of such topics you may find useful to know more about.
We want you to feel as empowered and supported as possible for your infant feeding journey. We know that to have a successful feeding journey you need to have a village around you for support. It is a great idea to build up that village before your baby is born by attending antenatal classes, meeting others at peer support groups, having discussions with your midwife and health visitor and sharing thoughts with those around you. To best support you to build close and loving relationships with your baby, and to feed your baby in ways that support optimum health and development we have provided some links below for you to explore.
Once your baby is here, knowing the best guidance to help keep them safe is key in helping you make the decisions that are right for you to keep them protected.
Sometimes babies are born earlier than expected and if they are born before 37 weeks gestation, this is known as ‘preterm.’ Sometimes these and other babies need additional care and require a stay within our neonatal unit. Below is a collection of information to help parents with this particular journey.
Having a baby is a life changing event and will impact families in different ways. The resources below can help support you both emotionally and financially through this journey and beyond.
