Norfolk & Waveney Local Maternity & Neonatal System

Norfolk & Waveney Local Maternity & Neonatal System The Norfolk & Waveney LMNS working as one system to transform maternity and neonatal care.

Planning to start a family is a really exciting time, but did you know there are some things you can do before you even ...
16/01/2026

Planning to start a family is a really exciting time, but did you know there are some things you can do before you even become pregnant to help your baby, and your pregnancy, be as healthy as possible?

😊Aim for a healthy weight - being overweight can raise the risk of some problems in pregnancy. Talk to your GP if you are concerned you might be overweight and for advice on how to safely lose weight.

🚭Stop smoking: if you smoke, this makes it harder to get pregnant and increases your risk of problems in pregnancy, including miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth. For advice on quitting, follow this link 👉 www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/.

💊Check medication. Some medicines are not recommended when trying for a baby or in pregnancy - but these can be changed. If you're planning to get pregnant, speak to your GP about your prescribed medicines. But never stop taking prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor first.

✅Take folic acid: this reduces the risk of neural tube defects (where a baby's spinal cord does not form correctly). You can take folic acid as soon as you start trying for a baby.

🍹Avoid alcohol: alcohol reduces your chance of becoming pregnant, and can increase your risk of complications when you are pregnant. Since you will not know immediately when you become pregnant, it is best to cut it out.

For more information, follow the links below.

👉 www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/pregnancy-early-days/having-a-baby/trying-for-a-baby/

👉 www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/trying-for-a-baby/planning-your-pregnancy/

✨ Book Your Antenatal Pelvic Health Webinar! ✨Pregnant? Join our free online group session to learn how to protect and s...
15/01/2026

✨ Book Your Antenatal Pelvic Health Webinar! ✨
Pregnant? Join our free online group session to learn how to protect and support your pelvic health during and after pregnancy – in a friendly, supportive environment.
✅ Understand how pregnancy and birth affect your pelvic floor
✅ Learn effective pelvic floor exercises
✅ Get tips to prevent and manage common issues like leaks, pelvic pain, and prolapse
✅ Support your recovery after childbirth

Next Session is Tuesday 3rd February!

We know this can feel like a personal topic.
Our sessions are designed to make you feel comfortable and confident. You’re welcome to keep your camera off if you prefer, and there’s no pressure to speak. Questions and engagement are encouraged in a safe, supportive space.
Run by: Norfolk & Waveney NHS Perinatal Pelvic Health Service
How to book:
📲 Scan the QR code or visit: https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/pelvic-health-advice-sessions
Take the first step towards feeling informed and empowered.
Get booked today!

Do you know about maternity benefits you may be entitled to? These include: ⭐Sure Start maternity grant ⭐Universal Credi...
15/01/2026

Do you know about maternity benefits you may be entitled to?

These include:

⭐Sure Start maternity grant
⭐Universal Credit
⭐Child Benefit
⭐Child Tax Credit
⭐Working Tax Credit
⭐Income Support - you may get this while you’re not working
⭐ Statutory Maternity Pay, or Maternity Allowance
⭐Healthy Start food vouchers (www.healthystart.nhs.uk)

👉For more information and to check out the benefits calculator, visit: www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/extra-help

You can also check your entitlement for maternity and paternity leave.

You can also find support at your local library, with free packs to keep you warm and well this winter and free sanitary products.

You can find out about this - and lots of other support available in Norfolk and Waveney on the Just One Norfolk website: https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/keeping-families-warm-well/

If you have any other questions, you can speak to your midwife.

Pre-term or early labour means going into labour before the 37th week of your pregnancy 👶Pre-term labour may feel simila...
14/01/2026

Pre-term or early labour means going into labour before the 37th week of your pregnancy 👶

Pre-term labour may feel similar to normal labour or it may be faster or less painful, particularly if very pre-term.

If you have any of the following symptoms, contact the hospital straight away, because you could be in labour:

Regular contractions or tightenings
Period-type pains or pressure in your va**nal area
A show - when the plug of mucus that has sealed the cervix during pregnancy comes away and out of the va**na
A gush or trickle of fluid from your va**na – this could be your waters breaking
Backache that's not usual for you

Contact the hospital immediately if:

You are bleeding
Your baby is moving less than usual
Your waters have broken and they are smelly or coloured

You can find more information about pre-term labour and birth on the Just One Norfolk website: https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/pregnancy-early-days/your-pregnancy-journey/pre-term-birth/

Pregnancy is a big life event, which comes with lots of different emotions. 💙As many as 1 in 5 women experience mental h...
13/01/2026

Pregnancy is a big life event, which comes with lots of different emotions. 💙

As many as 1 in 5 women experience mental health problems in pregnancy and after birth. This can include anxiety, depression, mental distress and sometimes severe mental ill health.

It is important to look after yourself, physically and mentally, and know where to go for help.

You can talk to your midwife, your GP, or your health visitor, or you can self refer to NHS Talking Therapies Service Norfolk and Waveney who have a special ‘perinatal’ service to support parents and new parents to be.

Visit the NHS Talking Therapies website: www.nandwtalkingtherapies.org.uk/perinatal-mental-health-support

Or visit the Just One Norfolk website: www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/pregnancy-early-days/having-a-baby/looking-after-your-mental-health-in-pregnancy/

You’ll get your Personalised Care and Support Plan (PCSP) early in your pregnancy, usually at your booking appointment. ...
12/01/2026

You’ll get your Personalised Care and Support Plan (PCSP) early in your pregnancy, usually at your booking appointment.

If you're planning to have your baby at Norfolk & Norwich or James Paget hospital, this will be given to you as a booklet.

If you're having your baby at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, you’ll find it in your Badgernotes app.

After your appointment, take some time to look through your PCSP. You can read it all at once or go through it bit by bit as your pregnancy progresses.

If you have any questions, jot them down – either in your booklet or on the app.

At your next appointment, your midwife or doctor will ask if you have any thoughts or questions about your PCSP. You’ll have time to talk things through and make any decisions together.

You can find an accessible and translatable version of the PCSP on Just One Norfolk via this link: https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/pregnancy-early-days/your-pregnancy-journey/personalised-care-support-plans-pcsp/

You can buy folic acid from most supermarkets and pharmacies.You'll usually take 400 micrograms of folic acid a day. Som...
09/01/2026

You can buy folic acid from most supermarkets and pharmacies.

You'll usually take 400 micrograms of folic acid a day. Some people may require a higher dose (usually 5 mg). If you are unsure of what dose to take, or have any questions, please speak to your midwife or doctor.

It's OK to take folic acid while you're breastfeeding.

There's no evidence that folic acid reduces fertility in either men or women.

You can find out more about taking folic acid here: www.nhs.uk/medicines/folic-acid/pregnancy-breastfeeding-and-fertility-while-taking-folic-acid/

Dark days and chilly weather? Keep your body (and mood!) moving this winter ❄️Regular gentle exercise in pregnancy helps...
08/01/2026

Dark days and chilly weather? Keep your body (and mood!) moving this winter ❄️

Regular gentle exercise in pregnancy helps boost your mood, improve sleep and prepare your body for birth.

🚶‍♀️ Wrap up warm and enjoy a brisk walk in daylight hours
🧘‍♀️ Try online pregnancy yoga or low-impact aerobics at home
💪Practice your pelvic floor exercises
🪑 Stay active around the house – small movements add up!

👇To find out more go to:
www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/exercise/
www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/healthy-lifestyles/move-more/being-active-in-pregnancy/

It's recommended you don't drink alcohol while you are pregnant - but did you know that alcohol can affect your fertilit...
07/01/2026

It's recommended you don't drink alcohol while you are pregnant - but did you know that alcohol can affect your fertility?

Use Alcohol Change UK's unit calculator to find out how many units are in a particular drink, or to check how much you're drinking. Click this link to find out more: https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/interactive-tools/unit-calculator

Know your units - or better still, cut out alcohol completely if you're trying for a baby.

You can find out more on Just One Norfolk: www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/pregnancy-early-days/having-a-baby/drinking-alcohol-during-pregnancy/

If you are pregnant and would like some support to cut down the amount you drink, you can talk to your GP, midwife or call Just One Number on 0300 300 0123. Health professionals will be able to help you to have a healthy pregnancy and birth.

Thinking about New Year's Resolutions? Stopping smoking in pregnancy is one of the best things you can do to help your b...
06/01/2026

Thinking about New Year's Resolutions?

Stopping smoking in pregnancy is one of the best things you can do to help your baby-and yourself-be as healthy as possible.

The SmartStart Smoke Free maternity support service is available across Norfolk and Waveney, with experienced Senior Maternity To***co Dependency Advisors who will help you stop smoking with flexible plans and non-judgemental support.

Talk to your community midwife for more information.

Is 2026 the year you’re thinking about weight loss?Looking after your health is always important, but during pregnancy i...
05/01/2026

Is 2026 the year you’re thinking about weight loss?

Looking after your health is always important, but during pregnancy it’s not recommended to try to lose weight. Instead, focusing on eating well can help support both you and your baby.

👉 Find out more about healthy eating in pregnancy:
www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/healthy-lifestyles/eat-better/eating-well-in-pregnancy/

Planning a pregnancy?
If you’re thinking about trying for a baby in 2026 and are overweight or obese, losing weight before pregnancy can increase your chances of becoming pregnant and support a healthier pregnancy.

👉 Learn more here:
www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/pregnancy-early-days/having-a-baby/trying-for-a-baby/

Had a baby already?
If you’re breastfeeding and considering weight loss, it’s important to remember your body needs extra energy - around 340–400 additional calories a day.

👉 Get advice on losing weight safely after having a baby:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/baby/support-and-services/keeping-fit-and-healthy-with-a-baby/

Address

Norwich

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Website

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/implementing-better-births.pdf

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