Links & Resources
Here I've started to put together a list of general resources I think are useful for Parents, if you have found a website useful that I haven't got listed here please do let me know and I will add it.
Doula Support
Doulas support a positive birthing experience
Doulas give practical, emotional and nurturing support to the whole family during pregnancy, labour and after the birth of a baby.
Doula UK has a find-a-Doula page where you can search for Doulas covering your area..
Training, mentoring and supporting Doulas
Organisations & information to help you know your choices and rights
Birthrights - your human rights during pregnancy and maternity care
Birthrights exists to protect your human rights during pregnancy and childbirth
Supporting all maternity service users to navigate the system as it exists, and campaigning for a system which truly meets the needs of all.
Sara Wickham’s website contains lots of birth related resources
Birth & Parenting Education
Established in 1960, Lamaze International is a non-profit organization and a trusted global leader, with a mission to advance safe and healthy pregnancy, birth and early parenting through evidence-based education and advocacy.
NCT - The UK's leading charity for parents
Get expert advice, videos, and essential tips in our free weekly email, tailored to your stage of pregnancy or your baby’s age. From the UK’s leading independent charity.
Hypnobirthing
The Little Birth Company is supportive of all births regardless of how or where you have your baby. We have created a positive, inclusive and inspiring community both for our Hypnobirthing Teachers and pregnant people.
Homebirth
This site has been archived as some of the research summaries are out of date however its still a useful site to look at
Birth Supplies | Your Birth - Your Way
Your birth - your way
Caesarean Birth
supporting you through your c-section prep, birth and recovery
Caesarean birth advice and information - Labour Pains
A caesarean birth is an operation to deliver your baby through a cut made in your tummy and womb. In the United Kingdom, just over 1 in 3 babies are born by caesarean birth. This information is to help you prepare for what to expect if you deliver your baby by caesarean birth.
10 TIPS FOR A POSITIVE CAESAREAN - The Little Birth Company
Breech birth
BREECH BIRTH (OPTI-BREECH PROJECT)
local and national Information and support for mums expecting a baby in breech position
Flip A Breech - How to Turn a Breech Baby - Spinning Babies
Spinning Babies - flip a breech!
a community interest company dedicated to increasing skills and knowledge about vaginal breech birth
Local hospitals & birth centres
Lucina Birth Centre - University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire
Birth centre at UHCW, Coventry. useful website with information on whats available in the birth centre and a video tour
Where you can choose to have your baby at SWFT :: South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust
site explaining birth place options in the Warwick area including the Bluebell birth centre, Warwick hospital and home
link to their facebook page is on this page
Maternity Leicester Hospitals
Maternity: George Eliot Hospital
We are passionate about providing high quality care to ensure that women, birthing partners and their families receive a positive antenatal, birth and postnatal experience
Postnatal recovery & self care
The pregnancy and post-birth wellbeing plan | Tommy's
A 2-page plan, endorsed by NICE, that helps you start thinking about how you feel and what support you might need in your pregnancy and after the birth.
Why Postnatal Recovery Matters – Montag & Martin Limited
During pregnancy the focus of antenatal preparation is the birth itself, and the importance of the postnatal period is often overlooked. Yet postnatal recovery (or a lack of it) can have consequences for the long-term health and wellbeing of both mother and baby.
While 1 in 3 women may face urinary leakage at some point in their lives, the truth is, pelvic floor exercises are not exclusive to those experiencing incontinence. Say goodbye to misconceptions, and let’s delve into why pelvic floor muscle exercises are crucial for every woman, regardless of age or current symptoms.
Mental Health in the perinatal period
Postnatal and antenatal depression - Mind
Developing depression after having a baby, or while pregnant, is more common than many people realise. But with the right support and treatment, you can get better.
Founded and run by women who have experienced birth trauma, we are the only charity in the UK solely dedicated to supporting women and families who have experienced traumatic birth.
Dads Matter is a leading non-profit championing the emotional safety and wellbeing of fathers and their families. We understand the unique challenges dads face, and we stand beside them every step of the way.
Breastfeeding support
At The Mindful Breastfeeding School We Support Loving, Connecting Relationships
through our unique and very best training course classes, support sessions and practitioner training.
Mindful Breastfeeding is an approach to lactation support and education that prioritises emotional wellbeing and infant-parent relationships.
Having a calm body and mind helps breastfeeding to be more comfortable and milk to flow. It helps babies to relax and parents to be more responsive - creating a more connected and fulfilling parenting experience.
La Leche League GB - Friendly breastfeeding support from pregnancy onwards
We provide mother-to-mother, parent-to-parent breastfeeding support across Great Britain and the Isle of Man. We believe that mothering through breastfeeding is the most natural and effective way of understanding and satisfying the needs of your baby.
The Breastfeeding Network | Independent Breastfeeding Support
Independent breastfeeding support and information
Baby sleep
Sleep, Baby & You is the name of a new approach for supporting parents with sleep for themselves and their babies. The programme provides tools and training for practitioners and resources for parents.
Giving babies a safer start to life
At The Lullaby Trust, we're determined to reach every family and professional with life-saving, research-proven advice. Every baby safe. Every family supported.
BASIS – Baby Sleep Information Source
For parents who wish to make informed
choices about infant sleep and night-time care.
Baby carrying (slings/carriers)
a social enterprise which aims to promote the use of slings and baby carriers (“babywearing”), to share the benefits for parents and babies and to help all parents access support via sling meets, libraries and trained Babywearing Peer Supporters and Babywearing Consultants.
coventry sling library is commited to providing safe and unbiased help for parents and caregivers wishing to carry their children.
Slings and Carriers Northamptonshire and Milton Keynes| Northampton Sling Library | England
Sling Hire, Retail and Consultation Services
in Northamptonshire & Milton Keynes
and across the UK
Baby care, Development & Supplies
Nappy Lady: The UK's Largest Range of Reusable Nappies
reusable nappies - help and advice
Baby Friendly Resources - Baby Friendly Initiative
Our resources for health professionals and parents provide information and advice on a range of issues around caring for babies.
Twins & Multiples
Twins Trust | Twins Trust - We support twins, triplets and more...
As a charity we rely on the generosity of our members and supporters to ensure we can be there for twins, triplets and more, and their families, when they need us the most. Watch our short film to find out more about our work and join as a member today to become part of the community.
Twin Pregnancy - Comfort in Pregnancy Easier Birth - Spinning Babies
With multiples the start of daily balancing activities might begin earlier, for instance, in your second trimester or after the third month… Start gently, pace yourself, and be steady rather than athletic, please! (Gail Tully)
Twins Magazine — TWINS Magazine
'Big' babies
Big Babies – The Curse of (mis) Diagnosing a Macrosomic Infant Part.1 – Sarah Ockwell-Smith
Big babies - The curse of (mis) diagnosing a macrosomic infant. part 1
Big Babies: the risk of care provider fear
Big babies are normal in well-resourced countries. Over 10% of babies born in the UK and Australia weigh 4kg (8lb 13oz) or more. Healthy, well-nourished women grow healthy, well-nourished babies. Genetic factors also influence the size of babies..
Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes UK • Gestational Diabetes UK
dedicated to providing information, research and support on gestational diabetes, from diagnosis through to birth and beyond.
Gestational Diabetes – AIMS UK Shop
This is a vital resource for anyone pregnant, and also for birth workers, midwives, doctors and anyone supporting parents through pregnancy and birth.
Gestational diabetes - Dr Sara Wickham
Gestational diabetes has long been a controversial topic.
Many women are told that they have gestational diabetes, but this term is not clearly defined, and we do now have agreement on whether screening and treatment are beneficial, or what screening and treatment should be offered.
This blog post offers a few resources.
Gestational Diabetes: beyond the label
Rachel Reed Blog