Social support in pregnancy

Kalvinder talks about the support she got from Gateway.

Being pregnant is supposed to be a happy time, but it can be very difficult. We help mums deal with practical and emotional problems so they can concentrate on keeping healthy – and having healthy babies. After she found she was pregnant Kalvinder came to Birmingham from Southampton to be near her family, but there were problems.  We helped her sort out a complicated benefit situation, helped her find somewhere suitable to live  - and every problem solved meant there was something less for Kalvinder to worry about – and that’s what our job is all about.

Domestic Violence in Pregnancy

In yesterday’s Guardian,  an article on domestic violence highlighted the suffering women are experiencing due to cut backs to funding for women’s aid and other domestic violence support team within the community. The service  is one of the primary support services for women who are experiencing this  common oppressive  practice. Domestic violence is  said to peak, or is triggered during pregnancy as this is a vulnerable stage of life.  This issue has a detrimental impact on  women’s  health and possibly her unborn child depending on the severity of the situation.

As  Pregnancy Outreach Workers we  support women with such isssues and have seen where they have developed anxiety, emotional and psychological issues,  and  mental health difficulties.  However, one must remember, it is not just the physical  act, it is also threats, emotional abuse and domination, bullying, oppression and restrictions.  Therefore pregnant  women should seek urgent support if experiencing these difficulties, so they can get urgent and appropriate  support from their Family Support Workers, Pregnancy Outreach Workers, their GPs, Midwives and other professional workers who can refer or signpost them to domestic violence/abuse agencies.

Pregnancy Outreach Worker Service It’s Time Out Moms!

HERE WE GO AGAIN COME AND JOIN US AT OUR DROP IN GROUP ON 31st January 2012, 2pm-4pm. Venue St Georges Community HUB
Great Hampton Row, Newtown, B19 3JG
Bus Route to Venue 46,74,75,8

Meet and greet other moms to be (Open sessions)
Refreshments available
Relaxation with soft background music
small talk/ share ideas and Techniques on various issues.

Get information on pregnancy issues, which is of concerns to new moms, such as breast feeding, babycare, smoking cessation,diet and nutrition, parenting skills/craft and other social and emotional issues.

This session is also open to our past clients from 2007 up until 3 months ago, as we welcome your feedback. So come and share with us your stories and experiences, and pass on valued information and techniques to new moms.

Every woman attending will be entered in a free raffle ticket prize draw.

please direct your enquiry to Jacque on 07825383657 or Pauline 07825383669

Do you know we help Dads too?

When we think of pregnancy we always think of the woman – but dad’s need help too and we can be there.

We can offer help and support to dads with how to feed baby, giving baby bath, and other practical things to give dads all the help they need as first time dads.

Last week had great fun demonstrating (playing with) a doll, we gave it a bath and got it dressed and these are practical things which can help when baby comes along for real.

 

Pregnancy Outreach Workers Facilitates a a drop in group for first time moms, this helps moms with essential informations on issues or concerns they wish to know about, also they get to meet other women and share experiences ,  not forgetting the  benefits of time out for moms.

 

Next Moms Drop in group

The next Pregnancy outreach drop in group will be at St Georges Community Hub on 20th December, 2pm- 4pm.

St Georges Community Hub is on Greathampton Row in New Town. We will be there sharing our advice and other moms will share their experiences exclusively for Gateway clients.

There will be music and refreshements and of course the fabulous raffle!

Breast crawl

 

 

This video shows a newborn crawling to the breast after birth.  You may like to watch the whole video to appreciate the process

 

Elective C – section

We saw  on the news this morning about the new government changes in the way women can choose to give birth.  Women will now be able to choose to have a C – Section if they can justify the reason.  We believe that such a decision should be thought through carefully, balancing the benefits against the risks and dangers of surgery.

We have found a video on the NHS website that may be useful in making this important decision.  Watch it HERE. We highly recommend that you discuss your options with your midwife to ensure your making the best decision for you.

My personal information on benefits and pregnancy at the POW group

Some of the problems I have faced and shared at the POW group. We talk about everything concerning pregnancy, benefits and topics that new mother’s face in society today.

Breastfeeding

Annikke has been working with her pregnancy outreach worker Jackie and here she tells us how she might have stopped breastfeeding. Instead she’s kept going with the right support and encouragement