From Monday 7 June, pregnant people can have one nominated birth partner from admission to hospital until discharge.

A Second nominated birth partner (invited to attend by the first nominated birth partner) can attend during established labour and may then visit for a one hour timeslot daily, which must be pre-booked in advance.

The second birth partner is not interchangeable with other family members of friends, unless the primary birth partner chooses to leave the ward and then they can visit in place of, not in addition to, the second birth partner.

The nominated birth partner(s) will be allocated wristbands for ease of birth partner identification. The wristband(s) will remain in situation until the patient is discharged from hospital.

For planned appointments and scans, one nominated person can attend. Please check in at reception on your own, providing a contact number for the nominated support person who will need to wait outside of the hospital until they receive a text.

This allows us to keep our maternity services as safe as possible by limiting the number of people in waiting areas at any one time to maintain social distancing.

We look forward to entering this next step on our road to recovery together with you and hope you will support our staff members along the way by being patient and respectful at all times.

Some useful links:

Visitors Guidance – Maternity

COVID-19 Isolating at Home Safety Netting-Leaflet

How to look after yourself at home if you have coronavirus (COVID-19)

COVID-19 vaccination guide for childbearing, pregnant or breastfeeding women

This short video tells you what you need to do now and has some important information for early pregnancy:

How to contact your midwife:  Contact your GP and they will advise you how to make your midwife ‘booking appointment’.  We like to see you for this initial appointment at 8-10 weeks of pregnancy.

Screening tests are used to find people at higher chance of a health condition. Whether or not to have each test is a personal choice that only the individual invited for screening can make.

We offer all pregnant women screening tests during pregnancy to look for certain health conditions that could affect them or their baby.

Screening tests are also offered for babies soon after they are born so they can be given appropriate treatment as quickly as possible if needed.

Read the screening tests for you and your baby leaflet before your midwife booking appointment to find out much more about the screening tests offered during and after pregnancy. This information is also available in other languages and easy guides.

If you need one, you can pick up a printed copy of this leaflet at your booking appointment.

Antenatal screening programmes:

• Sickle cell and thalassaemia
• Infectious diseases
• Down’s/Edward’s/Patau’s syndrome and fetal anomaly ultra sound scan

Newborn screening programmes:

• Hearing screening
• Blood spot screening
• Newborn and infant physical examination

The screening programmes will be discussed with you at the appropriate time, either during your pregnancy or after the birth of your baby. You will have time at your appointments to discuss your options and have any queries that you may have answered.

More information about these programmes are available in your ‘screening tests for you and your baby’ leaflet given to you at your early pregnancy session/booking appointment. You can find more information on screening on NHS Choices here.

Birth centre

If you’ve chosen to have your baby with us at the Northumbria hospital, watch our video to familiarise yourself with our department  and what will happen upon your arrival.

Midwife Led Units (MLUs)

Our three MLUs are open seven days a week, from 8.30am to 6pm on week days and from 9am to 2.30pm on weekends and bank holidays, with antenatal clinics, consultant-led clinics, postnatal drop-in clinics and community midwifery services.

The units have an overnight on-call system for women deemed to be low-risk who are due to give birth at the MLU’s and at home.

Midwife Led

During pregnancy most of your contact will be with your community midwife who will see you regularly to ensure that both you and your baby are healthy and to answer any questions you may have.

As soon as you have a positive pregnancy test your GP surgery will provide you with the information you need to access the care of one of our community midwives.  Please watch the video at the top of the page for more information on early pregnancy including screening tests.

Once you have received this information, you should feel able to make informed decisions about your care and where you would like to have your baby. A booking appointment is then planned to discuss these decisions and your care during your pregnancy and after you have your baby.

You will be offered two ultrasound scans at a hospital of your choice. The first scan, in early pregnancy, is to confirm the expected date of delivery and the second scan is to assess your baby’s development.

You will also be offered parent education classes and given an appointment to attend an infant feeding workshop.

Throughout your pregnancy, information and advice is available to you from all the health professionals involved in your care. We have many leaflets readily available which may help you understand, and make decisions on, your care and treatment. The information most appropriate to you will be provided to you throughout your care and you can talk to your midwife or health professional at any point for more advice.

Low risk pregnancies do not generally require a consultant appointment, the midwife is responsible for your care.  Your health, and your baby’s development will be reviewed at each appointment during your pregnancy.  Additional appointments or a change to your pathway of care may be recommended if there are any concerns.

Consultant Led Care

Should you require any extra care (or you are deemed high risk) your midwife will refer you to the hospital to see a consultant or specialist midwife.

Antenatal clinics are held in a variety of settings, including GP surgeries, children’s centres and in our hospitals to give you a choice of time and location that is most convenient for you. Your community midwife will provide you with the information you need to decide where to have your antenatal care, including those clinics run by our specialist midwives.

From Friday 16 April 2021, a nominated asymptomatic supportive adult can now accompany all pregnant people to all of their planned antenatal appointments and scans on any of our hospital sites.

For planned appointments, please check in at reception on your own, providing a contact number for the nominated support person who will need to wait outside of the hospital until they receive a text.

This allows us to keep our maternity services as safe as possible by limiting the number of people in waiting areas at any one time to maintain social distancing.

We look forward to entering this next step on our road to recovery together with you and hope you will support our staff members along the way by being patient and respectful at all times.

If women need to attend the Pregnancy Assessment Unit, please only bring one support person.

Ultrasounds in pregnancy remain clinical investigations and it is important that our sonographer can concentrate on performing these investigations without distraction. Most importantly, the clinical information obtained during the scans must be properly safeguarded by the trust. For these reasons we are unable to accommodate video calls or any other kind of recordings during the scan. This has always been the case and no change to policy is planned.

If women have any concerns about themselves or their baby please contact the maternity unit as usual for advice. Please see here for information regarding the importance of a baby’s movements.

Women with a multiple pregnancy are cared for by a core multidisciplinary team. All women with multiple pregnancies require increased monitoring and will receive additional appointments and scans.

TAMBA http://www.tamba.org.uk/

Multiple Birth Foundation http://www.multiplebirths.org.uk/

Some women already have high blood pressure (hypertension) before they become pregnant and they may be on treatment for this. You can also develop high blood pressure whilst you are pregnant, which returns to normal after your baby is born. This is called gestational hypertension.

There is a separate, less common condition called pre-eclampsia which can develop during pregnancy. This involves high blood pressure as well as other symptoms. This condition can become serious and needs extra care.

If you have any problems with your blood pressure, either before pregnancy or which develop during pregnancy, you will receive additional monitoring and appointments with the multidisciplinary team.

We also have the option of home blood pressure monitoring, which will be discussed with you at your appointments.

The majority of women who have a history of one previous delivery by lower segment caesarean section (LSCS) are suitable for a trial of labour for the subsequent pregnancy. The chance of successful vaginal delivery is between 72-75% (RCOG, 2015).

If you have given birth by LSCS previously, you will receive additional consultant appointments where midwives and obstetric medical staff will provide you will provide you with information to enable you to make an informed choice regarding VBAC.

This will include discussions around the benefits and risks of vaginal delivery compared to repeat elective LSCS. We will focus on promoting normal birth with the intention of increasing maternal satisfaction, and lowering caesarean section rates. If you choose to undertake VBAC you will be supported in your decision and provided with a high standard of care in labour from midwives and obstetricians, in a suitably equipped environment, to optimise the outcome for you and your baby, and increase the chance of achieving normal birth.

See leaflet here for more information.

Pre-existing diabetes

Patients with pre-existing diabetes will receive care from a team of specialist midwives and consultants.  An individual management plan will be developed with the patient and the specialist team, including antenatal care, labour care and a postnatal care plan.

Most pregnant women with diabetes will go on to have a healthy baby, but there are some possible complications you should be aware of.

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you may be at higher risk of having:

• a large baby – which increases the risk of a difficult birth, having your labour induced or needing a caesarean section
• a miscarriage

People with diabetes are at risk of developing problems with their eyes (diabetic retinopathy) and kidneys (diabetic nephropathy).

Some people with type 1 diabetes can develop diabetic ketoacidosis, where harmful chemicals called ketones build up in the blood.

Pregnancy can increase your risk of developing these problems or make existing ones worse.

The best way to reduce the risks to you and your baby is to ensure your diabetes is well controlled before you become pregnant.  Before you start trying for a baby, ask your GP or diabetes specialist for advice. You should be referred to a diabetic pre-conception clinic for support.

Gestational diabetes (GDM)

Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.  It can happen at any stage of pregnancy, but is more common in the second or third trimester.

It happens when your body cannot produce enough insulin – a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels – to meet your extra needs in pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes can cause problems for you and your baby during pregnancy and after birth. But the risks can be reduced if the condition is detected early and well managed.

If you are diagnosed with GDM in your pregnancy, you will receive care from a team of specialist midwives and consultants.  An individual management plan will be developed with you, including antenatal care, labour care and a postnatal care plan.

For more information, see this leaflet here.

At your booking appointment, you will be assessed for a variety of risk factors, including those that would make you at higher risk of preterm birth (less than 37 weeks gestation).  If you are identified as being at risk, you will receive additional care from our specialist pre-term birth clinic.

An individual care plan will be developed with you in consultation with the specialist team.

Your midwife will discuss your mental health history with you at the booking appointment and assess your wellbeing throughout your pregnancy.

If you have a history of mental ill health, you will be cared for by a consultant and specialist multi-disciplinary team.

Our health psychology team support women and couples who are experiencing emotional difficulties related to pregnancy, childbirth or pregnancy loss, or related to a gynaecological condition.  You can self-refer to their service or your midwife may suggest a referral to support your emotional wellbeing during your pregnancy and after birth.

Your midwife will calculate your BMI at your booking appointment and advise you accordingly.  Patients with a BMI over 35 receive care from a specialist team of midwives and consultants.  You may also receive an assessment from an anaesthetist if your BMI is very high.

Having a high BMI when pregnant increases the risk of pregnancy and birth complications and can have an effect on your unborn baby.

There are lots of services which can help you be physically active and eat well during your pregnancy and develop healthier habits for life.  Your midwife can refer you to these services at your booking appointment or any stage in pregnancy.

If you live in Northumberland, your midwife will refer you to a ‘Health Trainer’ who will work with you to develop a personalised well being plan to promote a healthy pregnancy.  Health Trainers are specially trained to support you to achieve your personal goals and to have a healthier pregnancy.

If you live in North Tyneside, your midwife will refer you to a Health Coach, who are trained to support you to make healthier choices to improve your wellbeing.  The Health Coach can refer you on to other services such as Active North Tyneside specialist classes and support.

We work closely with our colleagues in Physiotherapy and Health Psychology to support women with a high BMI, a referral into these services may be discussed with you.

Smoking during pregnancy has huge risks for the health and development of your baby.  Quitting smoking during pregnancy is the single most important thing you can do to protect your baby’s health.

All women receive carbon monoxide monitoring as routine practice at every antenatal appointment.  If you are identified as a smoker, you will be referred onto a high-risk pathway of care where you will be cared for by a specialist midwife and reviewed by a consultant.

We can help you to quit smoking at any point in pregnancy, but the earlier you try, the lower the risk of complications to your baby.  Your midwife will refer you to specialist stop smoking services who will support you to quit.

More information on help available can be found at:

https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/stopsmoking/a-new-you/smokefree-pregnancy/

Is it safe to drink alcohol when pregnant?

The Chief Medical Officers for the UK recommend that if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.

Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to the baby, with the more you drink, the greater the risk.

Illegal drugs in pregnancy

Using illegal or street drugs during pregnancy, including cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin, can have a potentially serious effect on your unborn baby.

If you regularly use drugs, it’s important to tackle this now you’re pregnant.

It’s best not to stop abruptly without first seeking medical advice as there may be withdrawal problems or other side effects.

Getting help

If you use drugs or need help to stop drinking alcohol, it’s important to seek help straight away so you can get the right advice and support.  Speak to your midwife who will ensure you receive the support you need.

For more information:

https://www.northumbria.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Drug-and-alcohol-use-in-pregnancy.pdf

Maintaining a healthy weight and continuing to exercise is very important during pregnancy and after birth.  We can support you to stay healthy throughout pregnancy.  Our Health Coaches and Health Trainers will work with you to provide an individualised plan for your wellbeing.   Speak to your midwife for more information and to be referred.

There are some great tips, advice and videos on how to stay active on https://thismummoves.co.uk/.  This is also available via the Baby Buddy App.

For foods to avoid and healthy eating advice during pregnancy, go to https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/nutrition-in-pregnancy/having-healthy-diet-pregnancy

We are currently running our antenatal classes online. You can find out more and book a place here.

You may be offered an Induction of Labour for a variety of reasons, all of which can be discussed individually with your midwife of consultant.

The choice to proceed with Induction of Labour is yours once you have received all of the relevant information.  You may find the NHS Choices leaflet helpful when making your decision https://assets.nhs.uk/prod/documents/IOL-leaflet-40plus-weeks_vTDF3v5.pdf

You can find more information here.

Monitoring your baby’s heartbeat during labour:

We want you to have a healthy baby and the best possible experience of birth. In order to achieve this, there are some checks we will do to make sure that you are both coping well. For mum, this will include checking your temperature, pulse and blood pressure regularly.

For baby, we can monitor your baby’s heartbeat. This is called fetal heart monitoring and is the same as checking your bay’s pulse. Performing fetal heart monitoring allows us to assess your baby’s wellbeing.

Please see this leaflet for more information on types of fetal monitoring and the reasons for this.

There are many types of analgesia which you might like to try:

Self-help in labour

You’re likely to feel more relaxed in labour and better placed to cope with the pain if you:

• learn about labour – this can make you feel more in control and less frightened about what’s going to happen; talk to your midwife, ask them questions, and book on to our antenatal classes
• learn how to relax, stay calm and breathe deeply
• keep moving – your position can make a difference, so try kneeling, walking around, or rocking backwards and forwards
• bring a partner, friend or relative to support you during labour, but do not worry if you do not have a partner – your midwife will give you all the support you need
• ask your partner to massage you – although you may find you do not want to be touched
• have a bath

Water / birthing pool

Water is useful for managing pain in labour. It encourages you to relax and is thought to make the contractions seem less painful. The use of water for pain relief is available as long as there are no contraindications (factors that mean a birthing pool should not be used). The water will be kept at a temperature that is comfortable for you but not above 37°C.  Your temperature will also be monitored closely. If any problems are detected with either you or your baby, you will be asked to leave the pool.

Hypnobirthing

We fully support birthing parents who wish to use hypnobirthing through their labour.  You are welcome to discuss this with your midwife and add this to your birth plan so that all staff are aware of your choices.

• Hypnobirthing can help you manage stress hormones, such as adrenalin, and reduce anxiety, which should lead to a calmer birth. During labour, your body produces a chemical called oxytocin, which helps progress your labour. Stress hormones affect the production of oxytocin, and make your labour longer.
• Managing stress may also help to reduce some of the fear and pain experienced during labour.
• In some cases, hypnobirthing has been shown to make labour shorter.
• Practising hypnobirthing – whether it’s at a class, with a book or CD – may help you to feel more prepared and in control when labour starts.
• It may help you cope with anxieties if you had a previous traumatic birth experience.
• Hypnobirthing may reduce the need for drugs and medical intervention. However, you can have additional pain relief as well if you want to.
• It can be added to any birth plan and the techniques can be used wherever you give birth – in a hospital or birth centre, or at home.
• Hypnobirthing may benefit you after birth too, with some evidence showing that it can lower the chance of postnatal depression.
• Hypnobirthing can help your birth partner play a more active role during labour.

Tens machine

This stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. We have a number of TENS machine available for you to use in all of our hospitals.  TENS is believed to work by stimulating the body to produce more of its own natural painkillers, called endorphins. It also reduces the number of pain signals sent to the brain by the spinal cord.

TENS has not been shown to be effective during the active phase of labour, when contractions get longer, stronger and more frequent. It’s most effective during the early stages, when many women experience lower back pain.

Gas and air / Etinox

This is a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas. Gas and air will not remove all the pain, but it can help reduce it and make it more bearable. Many women like it because it’s easy to use and they control it themselves.

• You breathe in the gas and air through a mask or mouthpiece, which you hold yourself.
• The gas takes about 15-20 seconds to work, so you breathe it in just as a contraction begins.
• It works best if you take slow, deep breaths.

This is an injection of an opiate medicine into your thigh or buttock to relieve pain. It can also help you to relax.  It takes about 20 minutes to work after the injection. The effects last between 2 and 4 hours.

Diamorphine/Pethidine injections (opioids)

There are some side effects to be aware of:

• it can make some women feel woozy, sick and forgetful
• if pethidine or diamorphine are given too close to the time of delivery, they may affect the baby’s breathing – if this happens, another medicine to reverse the effect will be given
• these medicines can interfere with the baby’s first feed

Epidural

An epidural is a type of local anaesthetic and is given by an anaesthetist. It numbs the nerves that carry the pain impulses from the birth canal to the brain.  For most women, an epidural gives complete pain relief. It can be helpful for women who are having a long or particularly painful labour.

Instrumental birth and caesarean section

A caesarean section, or C-section, is an operation to deliver your baby through a cut made in your tummy and womb.

Elective (planned) caesarean section

For a proportion of women, birth by planned caesarean may be recommended. This could be due to you having a pre-existing medical problem, because of your previous pregnancy history or because an obstetric complication develops during your pregnancy. The reasons for recommending an elective caesarean and the benefits and risks will be discussed with you and a joint decision made between you and the obstetric team. 

Emergency caesarean section

Category 1 emergency caesarean section – the most common reason for this is immediate concern for the wellbeing of the baby.  If the baby is showing signs of distress or is not coping and birth is not imminent, then an emergency caesarean section may be recommended.

Category 2 emergency caesarean section – the most common reason for this is that labour has slowed or stopped and interventions to encourage progress have been unsuccessful.  A very prolonged labour may be unsafe for you or your baby as it can lead to your baby becoming distressed and an increased chance you may bleed more heavily after birth.

Your midwife will stay with you and continue to care for you in theatre and after your baby is born.

Instrumental Birth

An instrumental delivery is where either suction cup or forceps are used to gently pull the baby down the birth canal, whilst the mother pushes to achieve a vaginal birth.

If it is recommended that you need an instrumental delivery, the reason for it will be clearly explained to you by the obstetrician. You will have the chance to ask questions and discuss your options so you can give your informed consent to the procedure.  Your midwife will stay with you and continue to support you throughout the birth.

Other than the designated birthing partner, there is no visiting on our postnatal ward.

Our single-ensuite rooms on our postnatal ward at our Northumbria hospital enable birthing partners to continue to stay with women throughout the duration of their stay however they must remain in the room at all times.

Birthing partners should be encouraged to bring their own provisions such as bring healthy snacks, noodle pots (hot water will be available) and other non-perishable items as this will not be provided by the ward.  If a birthing partner chooses to leave, they will not be permitted to return and must wear a mask. The on-site restaurant is also for staff only.

After mum and baby leave hospital, the midwife will contact mums before visiting them at home with their babies to ensure everyone in the household is well before attending.

You will be cared for by our maternity team following the birth of your baby, either at home or hospital.  Your midwife will support you to develop a personalised care plan which meets the needs of you and your baby.

Your midwife will provide you with lots of information on caring for yourself and your new baby, infant feeding, safety and support groups available.

More information can be found here. 

Caring for a newborn baby

Postnatal care and information

Contraception

Choosing how you feed your baby is a personal choice and one that doesn’t need to be made before your baby is born.  Although getting all the information when your pregnant will help you to make your decision.  Your midwife and health visitor will be able to give you lots of information and answer any questions you may have.

Regardless of your feeding choice getting to know your baby during pregnancy helps your baby’s brain development.  Take some time to relax and talk to your baby, stroke your bump.  Encouraging your partner and other children to do the same will also help with the family bonding.  Responding to your baby has been shown to be the most effective way of feeding, regardless of feeding choice so getting to know your baby early is a great way to start your feeding journey.

Skin to skin

Holding your baby in skin to skin directly after birth for at least an hour or until after the first feed, regardless of your feeding choice, will have benefits for both you and your baby.  Skin to skin contact:

• Regulates your baby’s temperature, heart rate and breathing
• Calms and relaxes both you and your baby (and also your partner)
• Passes all the family friendly bacteria from mum to baby to help protect against infection
• Stimulates digestion ready for the first feed

For more information on skin to skin and the benefits and safety considerations, click here

Breastfeeding

Here at Northumbria we support all women to choose how they want to feed their baby, our staff are also aware of all the benefits that breastfeeding your baby brings to both you and your baby.  Getting your feeding journey off to the best start will benefit both you and your baby health wise and also support the growing bond between you both.  Our staff will be able to support you, antenatally and after your baby is born.  Please speak to your midwife if you have any questions you would like answering.

Antenatal colostrum harvesting is a great way to commence your breastfeeding journey.  By expressing your colostrum towards the end of your pregnancy you will be better prepared to meet any feeding challenges should they arise.  For more information click here

Formula Feeding

It is important that formula feeds are sterilised and made up safely at the right time.  Powdered infant formula is not sterile and needs to be made up at the right temperature which will kill any potential bacteria present.

Please see – Guide To Bottle Feeding for more information.

Making sure you get the right milk for your baby is really important, your baby can stay on the Stage 1 (often described as suitable for newborns) until they are one year old.  For more information on formula milks and different brands, please go to: First Steps Nutrition

The early days with your baby are a great time to get to know and build that loving bond together.  Keeping your baby close and responding to the feeding cues will ensure your baby is relaxed and feels secure.  More information on responsive bottle feeding can be found here.

We have a team of Obstetric Physiotherapists who work across our Trust to keep you healthy and comfortable during your pregnancy and post-delivery.  Below are some downloadable resources that you can access to guide you.

You can still have a telephone consultation with a Physiotherapist at this time, so please ask your Midwife to refer you.

If you are experiencing back and/or pelvic girdle pain during your pregnancy, watch our videos here for advice.

Antenatal Advice Leaflets for pain and discomfort during pregnancy

Fit for Pregnancy

Pregnancy Related Pelvic Girdle Pain For mothers to be and new mothers

Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises

Antenatal Advice for Labour

Fit for Birth

The Mitchell Method of Simple Relaxation

Post-natal Advice

Exercise and Advice after Pregnancy 

Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises 

Fit for the Future: Essential Exercises and Advice afte Childbirth

Sometimes following a birth it is helpful to talk through your experience. If you’ve had your baby with us, you can spend time talking to a midwife through our birth reflection service.

What is an MVP?

Maternity Voices Partnerships were set up after the Better Births report published in 2016. There are MVPs across the country and the Northumbria MVP covers all of Northumberland and North Tyneside. The MVP works with health professionals and families using maternity services to ensure that service provision is what families want and that people are listened to.

So what does an MVP actually DO?

The MVP works with NHS maternity departments to make sure that the services provided are what pregnant people and their families actually want. We help plan service provision, we help develop leaflets and communication and we provide feedback.

Some of the things we have worked on include updating the way pregnant people with diabetes are looked after, making sure that the voices from more vulnerable communities are heard and planning care during COVID (including supporting birth partners at ALL births and antenatal appointments). We are currently looking at how parents are supported to make a decision about being induced as feedback is that women and pregnant people often feel they didn’t have any choice or it wasn’t properly explained.

Is it just for pregnant women?

The MVP is for anyone involved in maternity care – so pregnant women and pregnant people and also their families. It is multidisciplinary so we also have representatives from midwifery, obstetrics, gynaecology, physiotherapy and SCBU (and more!). If you are pregnant or have had a baby recently, it would be great to have your support.

How can I find out more or get involved?

WE currently have a Facebook page that is public and a closed group that is just for service users (so no professionals unless they are using maternity services). We are working on a website so will let you know once it is up and running.

https://www.facebook.com/NorthumbriaMVP

https://www.facebook.com/groups/558478741394874

Northumbria.mvp@gmail.com

About Rae – the Chair of the MVP

I am mum to four boys and have experienced four very different births: a planned home birth with transfer to hospital, a textbook home water birth, a very emergency caesarean section with a baby in NICU and then an induction. However, all four were positive and empowering because of the care I received and the way my decisions were supported.

Our Professional Midwifery Advocates are a group of midwives who work within Northumbria Healthcare Trust who are here to support you with birth choices. They are experienced practicing midwives who have completed further training with the aim to support and facilitate the practices and development of midwives to ensure safety for women and their babies in addition to receiving a high standard of care.

PMAs aim to ensure women and families receive guidance and information about the right type of care, in the right care setting.

They are here to support women and families as well as to give sound professional advice.

They are also here if you have concerns about your care, you and/or your midwife may contact a PMA.

Women are able to talk to a PMA in confidence with any issues relating to practice care provision.

They can meet with you and your midwife and/or one of the consultants in order to help you achieve the birth you want by acting as a resource and to assist in discussing your birth choices. They will provide evidence-based information to help you achieve your goal and ensure all aspects of your planned care are explained thoroughly.

You can contact the PMA team via e-mail at PMA2@northumbria-healthcare.nhs.uk

As a birth partner, there are lots of practical things you can do to support  during labour, whatever kind of birth you and you partner are planning for. This includes:

• keeping your partner company and helping to pass the time during the early stages
• holding her hand, wiping her face and giving sips of water
• massaging her back and shoulders, and helping her move about or change position
• comforting her as labour progresses and contractions get stronger
• reminding her how to use relaxation and breathing techniques – ask the Midwife to show you how if you are unsure
• supporting her decisions, such as pain relief choices, even if they’re different from what’s in the birth plan
• helping to explain to the midwife or doctor what she needs – and help them communicate with your partner – which can help you both feel more in control of the situation
• telling her what’s happening as your baby is being born if she wants you to

Useful link for further information:

• Tommy’s https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/labour-birth/labour-and-birth-faqs/who-can-be-my-birth-partner
• Start4Life https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/pregnancy/advice-for-partners/

Your Feelings

Just because your partner is the one carrying the baby, it does not mean their pregnancy has no impact on you. Whether the pregnancy has been planned for months or years, or is unexpected, you’ll probably feel a range of emotions.

A baby means new responsibilities that you may not feel ready for, whatever your age. You and the mum-to-be may have mixed feelings about the pregnancy. It’s normal for both of you to feel like this.

The first pregnancy will change your life and change can be frightening, even if it’s something you’ve been looking forward to.

A message from our Health Psychology team:

Everyone has different strategies for coping with difficulty. We believe that anyone can encounter emotional distress at any time in their life and that the issues related to fertility, conception, pregnancy and gynaecological difficulties can be especially hard. Our Obstetrics and Gynaecology Health Psychology Service offers psychological assessment and therapy for women and couples who are experiencing emotional difficulties arising in pregnancy or as a result of childbirth, or associated with a gynaecological condition. You can find more information by following this link.

Useful external links for more support:

• National Childbirth Trust https://www.nct.org.uk/life-parent/emotions/postnatal-depression-dads-10-things-you-should-know
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) https://www.thecalmzone.net/
• MIND https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/postnatal-depression-and-perinatal-mental-health/partners/
• NHS Mental Health Support https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/need-help-now/

If you need urgent help with your mental health, please call the NHS 24 hr phone line for urgent assistance:  0303 123 1146

COVID-19 support and guidance for partners

We know that this is a worrying time and it will definitely not be how you had planned your parenting journey.  Whilst attending appointments is still restricted, there are other ways which you can bond with your growing baby and support your partner.

• Babies can hear within the womb from around 18 weeks. So, however silly it might feel, take time every day to speak, sing and read to your baby in the womb. This is the beginning of a life long bonding process which promotes brain development even before your baby is born
• Make sure that you get that crucial skin-to-skin contact as soon after birth as you can. Tell the midwife that you’d like to do this so it isn’t forgotten. Skin-to-skin is a great way for dads to continue to get close to their baby in the coming months.
• Skin-to-skin cuddles let your baby hear your heartbeat and learn your smell, just like they do with mum if she’s breastfeeding. Take every opportunity you can to let them snuggle up on your chest. It’s a lovely way to feel close and can help you both relax too. (NCT, 2020)

It is important that when the time comes, you bring a ‘hospital bag’ for yourself and please be aware that if your partner is having labour induced, you should be prepared for a stay of at least 3 days.

Useful items could include:

• Sandwiches and snacks (including pot noodles/pasta pots for which we can provide hot water)
• Treats for you and your partner – chocolate/sweets etc
• Books/puzzles to keep occupied prior to active labour
• iPad/tablet with downloaded films/series
• Toiletries for yourself
• Changes of clothing

Coping with Crying during lockdown

It is hard at the best of times coping with a crying baby. However, it is much more difficult when you are confined to the house and separated from your usual activities and support from family and friends.  Follow this link for tips on coping with crying.

General tips for coping with a new baby, especially during COVID-19.

Smoking

A smoke free environment is recommended for you and your new family.  Your partner’s midwife can refer you to the stop smoking service, which is a free service available to you.  Ask your partner’s midwife to refer you, or your partner can ask on your behalf if you are not able to attend.  Alternatively you can visit here for further support to help you quit and give your baby a healthier start in life.

There is also a new Smoke Free App to support you to give up smoking.

Alcohol

It is advised that women don’t drink alcohol during pregnancy due to the affects this can have on the unborn baby, you can support your partner by also stopping or cutting down.  There’s a strong link between heavy drinking and depression, hangovers can make you feel anxious and low.  If you already feel anxious or sad, drinking can make this worse, so cutting down can make you feel in a better mood.

Drinking can also affect your sleep, it can help you fall to sleep quickly but with a new baby to care for during the night, drinking alcohol could make you less supportive and also poses a danger to your new baby.

For support with cutting down or stopping completely, click here.

Whether you’ve just found out you are pregnant, or if you are halfway through your journey, our midwives have pulled together a series of videos to support you throughout your pregnancy. From exercise routines to methods of pain relief during labour, we’ve got you covered. Why not check them out here?

Lateral flow testing for pregnant people and their support partners

NHS Direct

NHS Choices Pregnancy Care Planner

UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative

National Childbirth Trust

Man health

Advice and guidance from the Northern Local Maternity System

Hospital Bag Checklist

Antenatal Colostrum Harvesting

COVID-19 Isolating at Home Safety Netting-Leaflet

How to look after yourself at home if you have coronavirus (COVID-19)

Pregnancy and coronavirus

Group B Streptococcus information

Your choices at 41 weeks

COVID-19 vaccination guide for childbearing, pregnant or breastfeeding women

• Birthing unit, Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital 0191 607 2318
• Hillcrest midwife-led unit 01665 626 732
• Berwick midwife-led unit 01289 356 622
• Hexham midwife-led unit 01434 655 352

Patient support groups

Tamba (Twins) 01483 304442
www.tamba.org.uk

National Breast Feeding Helpline 0300 100 0212

Newcastle Women’s Aid 0191 2752148

North Tyneside Woman’s Aid 0191 2513305/ Out of hours 07946 753638

Sexual Health (One to One centre) 0191 2970441

Parentline Plus 24 hour parent advice line 0808 800222
www.parentlineplus.org.uk