Maternity Health

12/01/2026

🌟Birth Plans🌟

A birth plan is a form of communication between you and the team looking after you for labour / delivery.
Its not set in stone, its not a legal document, it can change, it’s individual to you… and you don’t even have to have one!

You can write a birth plan if you are planning a c-section, hospital birth or home birth – its whatever you want it to be. Most importantly it needs to be flexible – because things may change on the big day.

Birth plans should NOT cause you stress and anxiety… if you don’t achieve what you wrote down it does NOT mean that you are a failure or that the team caring for you failed… remember it’s a form of communication.

Try not to make it too complex, try not to make it too long. Ensure your birth partner/s are aware of what is on it and share it with the staff who care for you on the day of your delivery.

Have a read of this great article at Tommy’s for some ideas.
https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/giving-birth/making-your-birth-plan

09/01/2026

🌟Domestic violence and abuse🌟

Most people associate domestic violence and abuse with physical abuse, when one partner threatens, hurts or injures the other. But domestic violence isn’t always physical. It can also be psychological, verbal, sexual, financial or emotional, and can include behaviours such as stalking and online abuse. Often, it’s a combination of all of these things.

Almost a third of domestic violence cases start during pregnancy, and women who are already in abusive relationships often report that abuse gets worse when they are pregnant.
It's thought that pregnancy can be a trigger for domestic abuse because abusers take advantage of situations in which a woman is more vulnerable. For some, pregnancy is the perfect time because they think their partner is more reliant on them for financial and other means of support now that they’re having a baby.

Some partners may also become abusive if they feel threatened by pregnancy, and don’t want to play second fiddle to a new baby. Whilst pregnant you may be less inclined to fight back if you're worried that physical violence could harm the baby or result in miscarriage.

Sadly, abuse makes you more likely to experience serious pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage, high blood pressure, premature birth and stillbirth.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse while you're pregnant, it's crucial for both you and your baby that you seek help as soon as possible.
It’s a massive and incredibly brave step to take… but YOU, your baby and your family are worth it… PLEASE seek help.

🔹https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
🔸https://www.refuge.org.uk/
🔹https://changingpathways.org/
🔸https://www.womensaid.org.uk/
🔹https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
🔸https://dvip.org/

❗Cover your tracks: https://www.womensaid.org.uk/cover-your-tracks-online/

07/01/2026

07/01/2026

Looking for something to do with your little one in January?

If you're the parent of a little one aged 2 or under AND you live in the Basildon area, why not think about joining our January Lullaby Project group?

Through the Lullaby Project, families work alongside professional musicians to create original lullabies for their babies. These songs become lasting memories for everyone involved!

📆starts Friday 9th January, 10.30am-12pm (this group runs until March, with some sessions taking place online - see image for more details)
📍Northlands Park Family Hub, Davenants, Basildon SS13 1QX
👛FREE!

For more info and to register your interest, please visit our website: https://parents1st.org.uk/the-lullaby-project/

06/01/2026

🥰A Little Message...🥰

06/01/2026

🌟 Medication and Mental Well-being 🌟

Studies have shown that up to 90% of women will stop taking medication for an existing mental health problem when they discover they are pregnant, usually because they are worried about affecting the baby’s health.
Most antidepressant medications are considered safe during pregnancy so it's really important to discuss this with a health professional (GP or Midwife) before stopping medication so your mental well-being is not put at risk.

Please let your midwife know if you are on medication, have stopped taking your medication and are struggling without it.
Your midwife can refer you to a specialist team to advise and support you.

Find out more information at this link from Tommy’s:
🔸 https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/planning-a-pregnancy/planning-a-pregnancy-and-mental-illness/treatments-severe-mental-illness-during-and-after-pregnancy?fbclid=IwAR19XkMUqrSnPB79VGI8s_31Nb1tTlJx7kuD1Xp4yzrGkbxWoyTcv-J0m9M

🔸 For more information on medication and pregnancy also check:
https://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/

05/01/2026

🌟Birth Trauma🌟

A traumatic birth can feel like an emotional shock.
When your birth experience wasn't the way it was ‘meant’ to be it can feel deeply upsetting and hard to make sense of what has happened.... and frightening.

Dealing with these emotions and feelings can be even more difficult when you add in the pressure of trying to navigate being a new parent, care for your new baby and recover physically.

All of this takes immense energy.

If you are struggling or you know someone that needs help please access and share the below links, they have so much invaluable information to offer...

💜please dont hide how you are feeling - reach out and ask for help 💜

The Birth Trauma Association: https://www.birthtraumaassociation.org/

Make Birth Better: https://www.makebirthbetter.org/

31/12/2025

Do you know someone expecting a little one in 2026?

Tag them in this post!

We don’t mean to brag, but we’re the best place to go to cut through all the noise on social media about how to sleep your baby as safely as possible.

Safer sleep, infection prevention, baby sleep products, sleep deprivation advice and more. We’ve got the clear and easy-to-follow guidance, tailored specifically with parents and carers in mind. And it’s all based upon decades of research that we continue to this day.

Follow us today to start your journey with The Lullaby Trust. We’re confident we can give you peace of mind and ease the new parent anxieties. Plus, you’re joining a community of like-minded parents and carers, all muddling through parenthood together!

We’ve got you.

31/12/2025

🥰New Year's Eve...🥰

I post this beautiful Carrie Fisher picture every year because it is simply timeless!
Sending love to those of you due to meet your baby in 2026 ❤️

xx

30/12/2025

30/12/2025