RESOURCES

INFORMATIVE WEBSITES:

Here are some good sources of evidence based information & guidance:

AIMS (Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services) provides information and support. Do also take a look at their publications:  www.aims.org.uk

NICE (The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care: www.nice.org.uk/guidance

DR SARA WICKHAM is a midwife and researcher. Her website is crammed with 'information, inspiration and illumination for midwives, birth folk, women and families': www.sarawickham.com

ANALYTICAL ARMADILLO provides a collection of carefully curated material on infant feeding and early parenthood: www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk

BIRTHRIGHTS is the UK’s only organisation dedicated to improving women’s experience of pregnancy and childbirth by promoting respect for human rights. They provide advice and legal information to women and promote women’s rights to receive evidence-based care that conforms to the best medical and midwifery standards: www.birthrights.org.uk

EVIDENCE BASED BIRTH provides a non-biased source for the most current, evidence-based information on pregnancy and childbirth. It is an American website but is just as relevant in the UK: www.evidencebasedbirth.com

NORFOLK RESOURCES DURING COVID-19

During the Covid-19 Crisis there are many local businesses that are aiming to provide as much help, support and group social support online. Below I have listed some of what is on offer for remote support.

Please check back regularly to keep up to date with our efforts.

Normal face to face services will resume as soon as it is safe and possible

PREGNANCY AND BIRTH

Free Resources:

HOME BIRTH NORFOLK - A welcoming support group for families in Norfolk who are considering, planning or have had a home birth. Monthly meet ups will be via zoom or facebook group for the time being. www.facebook.com/pg/homebirthnorfolk

YOUR TINY HUMAN HUB - Friendly, supportive hub for parent to be. Information, support, laughs and friendship. www.facebook.com/groups/OnlyHumanVillage

POSITIVE BIRTH UNDER COVID-19 - A Facebook group established by The Positive Birth Movement in response to covid-19. In the current unprecedented global situation, many women are pregnant and hoping to have positive births. There are many unanswered questions and the situation is changing daily, but this group aims to be a supportive place where the latest information from trusted sources can be shared, and where those who are pregnant can share questions, difficulties, worries, and concerns, along side positive stories, inspiration, creative suggestions and support.
www.facebook.com/groups/204187680864008

NNUH BUMPS AND BABIES - The official page for the NNUH Maternity Services where updated information is being posted as and when things change with the maternity services.
www.facebook.com/groups/545406238975953

MATERNITY VOICES NORWICH - Norwich Maternity Voices Partnership (MVP) is a team of health care professionals and members of the public who meet four times a year to discuss the maternity services in our area. Updated information is being posted as and when things change with the maternity services.
www.facebook.com/MaternityVoicesNorwich/

NNUH MVP 'COVID-19 BABY GROUP’ - This is a group set up to share information and feedback from new parents who are in the remit of The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital together during the COVID-19 months.
www.facebook.com/groups/norwichmvpcovid/?source_id=1902414886470971

Doulas:

SIOBHÁN RIDLEY - Offering a full range of remote support from birth preparation to distance doulaing through birth and beyond. I can be your Doula in your pocket for all your womb to world distance care.
www.yourtinyhuman.com

EMERGENCY EARLY LABOUR DOULA SUPPORT - During this time of crisis we are offering a free (or pay what you can) phone/internet support service for early labour. Emotional support, tips and practical support for early labour at your finger tips, 24/7. This is a free or pay what you can service: www.developingdoulas.co.uk/emergency-early-labour-doula

Hypnobirthing & Antenatal:

SIOBHÁN RIDLEY - Offering a full range of remote support from birth preparation to distance doulaing through birth and beyond. I can be your Doula in your pocket for all your womb to world distance care. The full 12 hour Birthing Programme - Hypnobirthing has gone remote. Learn over zoom.
www.yourtinyhuman.com

EMILY HOUSEMAN - Emily is a local midwife who offers women and their partners classes and support from conception through to pregnancy, labour and beyond. She has online Imagery classes which focus on guidance at different stages of your journey combined with imagery visualisation exercises to focus, relax and go deeper into your journey. The exercises have been developed specifically for the four stages of childbearing (conception, pregnancy, labour, postnatal) and help to integrate mind, body and heart. Emily is also a Hypnobirth teacher, and does private courses for couples. See her website for more details: www.emilyhousman.com

POSTNATAL

Pelvic Floor and Physical Recovery

ALICE HOUSEMAN - Hypopressives - 8 week supported online programme for deep core, pelvic floor & postnatal recovery using Hypopressives. More details at www.alicehousman.co.uk or email me alice@alicehousman.co.uk

Breastfeeding

NO MILK LIKE MAMAS - No Milk Like Mama's has an online community of peer support and is an admin member of the online IBCLC led support group created to support families during the coronavirus pandemic (links available on website or social media pages).
During the coronovirus pandemic No Milk Like Mama's continues to offer online consultation for both Breastfeeding and Sleep Support. Please see our website for more information or email to book support.
www.nomilklikemamas.co.uk
support@nomilklikemamas.co.uk

Free Breastfeeding

NO MILK LIKE MAMA’S - ONLINE BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT CAFÉ - The No Milk Like Mama's Online Breastfeeding Support cafe is an online parenting forum for you to share your experiences, meet other families and support each other. This forum has a general focus on breastfeeding and sleep support, although off topic subjects are allowed! No Milk Like Mama's Breastfeeding Peer Supporters moderate this form and together we aim to support families to establish breastfeeding, maintain breastfeeding and support families to accomplish their own breastfeeding goals, together with discussion around gentle sleep support. Regular LIVE sessions with Sian Aldis, IBCLC Lactation Consultation and Holistic Sleep Coach. Join us to talk all things boob and sleep! www.facebook.com/groups/nomilklikemamas/

IBCLC LED SUPPORT GROUP - Facebook group. This is a group set up and run by IBCLCs (International Board Certified Lactation consultants) to support families with breastfeeding problems or queries online during the reduction of face to face support due to the COVID 19 outbreak. www.facebook.com/groups/208906116985365/

Babywearing

ANN CHARLES (doula and babywearing) - Offering babywearing consults over Skype (info@birthgeek.co.uk - paid service).

NORWICH SLING LIBRARY - Offering Virtual Library over Skype (Free - £5, depending on what you need), with postal hire options (paid) - see Norwich Sling Library for details. Emma from Norwich Sling Library also offers private babywearing consults.
www.norwichslings.co.uk
www.facebook.com/pg/norwichslinglibrary

BOOKS:

Picking what to read when you're pregnant is a mine field. I have attempted to compile a list of my personal favourites covering various topics. My go to top two recommendations are The Positive Birth Book by Milli Hill and Birth in Focus by Becky Reed.

*MY NEW FAVOURITE* Your No Guilt Pregnancy Plan: A revolutionary guide to pregnancy, birth and the weeks that follow by Rebecca Schiller

The Positive Birth Book by Milli Hill

Birth in Focus by Becky Reed

Ina May's Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin

Inducing Labour: making informed decisions by Sara Wickham

Dynamic Positions in Birth by Margaret Jowitt

Men, Love & Birth by Mark Harris

The Father's Home Birth Handbook by Leah Hazard

Pride and Joy: A Guide for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans parents by Sarah & Rachel Hagger-Holt

Gentle Birth, Gentle Mothering: A Doctor's Guide to Natural Childbirth and Gentle Early Parenting Choices by Sarah Buckley & Ina May Gaskin

The First Forty Days: The Essential Art of Nourishing the New Mother by Heng Ou

BabyCalm: A Guide for Calmer Babies and Happier Parents by Sarah Ockwell-Smith

The 'Why it Matters' range are easy to digest books written by leaders in their field They give you a great insight into many of the topics expanded upon in other publications and are a relative bargain. If you purchase them from the publisher, Pinter & Martin, direct you can receive a discount for purchasing 5 books. The range covers everything from human rights in childbirth to breastfeeding. Below are some are my favourites:

Why Home Birth Matters by Natalie Meddings

Why Doulas Matter by Maddie McMahon

Why Human Rights in Childbirth Matter by Rebecca Schiller

Why Mothers Matter by Maddie McMahon