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To access the information in your language please click in the right hand, top corner the circle with three dots.

Then go down to languages and click on yours.

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Download the Padlet app. by clicking on the picture.

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This preterm padlet has been put together to support you and your  family during your preterm journey.

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This preterm padlet has been put together to support you and your  family during your preterm journey.

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This preterm padlet is like a digital noticeboard. It is a good way for us to share with you current, evidence-based information that you can access via your smartphone if you have one, a tablet, or a desktop computer.

We advise you to only use the information in this padlet, and the links provided as you may find information on the internet that may not be evidence-based and may cause you additional stress and anxiety.

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To access the information in your language please click in the right hand, top corner the circle with three dots.

Then go down to languages and click on yours.

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This book can be purchased on Amazon

https://amzn.eu/d/gwsGJM8

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A stay in neonatal care - An animated guide

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Virtual tours of 13 neonatal units in Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

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Virtual tours of 13 neonatal units in Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

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Click on the hospitals below to find out more about the units within our network and to view each unit's individual website. To find out more about where each unit is situated across our region, you can also visit our interactive map.

Accessibility Toolbar

close Toggle the visibility of the Accessibility Toolbar

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Unit Information - Neonatal Network South East

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Click on the hospitals below to find out more about the units within our network and to view each unit's individual website. To find out more about where each unit is situated across our region, you can also visit our interactive map.

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Interventions for a safer premature birth

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Interventions for a safer premature birth

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Interventions towards a safer premature birth PREM7+ is a project by health professionals across the South East that has looked at the best things, evidence-based that can be used to help you and your baby when you are at risk of preterm birth, and when your baby is born prematurely

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Thrive - Psychological Support for Birth Trauma and Loss

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About DadPad, Key Content, Long Read

Posted on 18th February 2022

Why DadPad?

We thought it might be helpful for us to pull together a blog post setting out some of the reasons why - as a Health Trust or local authority provider - you might want to invest in DadPad...

What is DadPad?

Developed with the NHS, the DadPad gives new dads and dads-to-be the knowledge and practical skills necessary to support themselves and their partner, so that babies get the best possible start in life.

Topics covered within the DadPad itself include:

An overview of the Health Visitor Team and the appointments that parents will have;

'Baby basics', including feeding, sleeping, holding, coping with crying, cleaning and bathing baby and changing nappies;

Ways in which dad can help to build his bond with his baby, including baby massage, communicating, baby swimming, and play and learning;

Core information on perinatal mental health for dad - what to look out for in his partner, and what to look out for in himself, as well as advice on supporting each other and their relationship; and

An overview of other key topics, including child development, legal information and important further sources of parenting advice and support.

In addition to the above, the DadPad app also includes:

Enhanced core content, covering areas such as the Midwifery Service and antenatal appointments, the fourth trimester, healthy pregnancy and healthy family, and home safety;

Information on and contact details for local hospitals, health visitor teams and perinatal mental health support; and

Specialised content on local services, charities and support groups on a range of topics relevant to expectant parents and new parents.

First launched in Cornwall in 2012, the DadPad has been kept under continual review, to ensure that all content is up-to-date, reflective of current best practice and contains all the information that new dads and dads-to-be want to know.

Over the intervening decade, DadPad has grown and - as at February 2022 - the app is now available in 24 NHS Trust areas across the UK, with more preparing to launch during the year.

How does DadPad differ from other parenting guides, apps and websites?

Obviously, the market for information and advice for new parents is a busy and competitive one, but we believe that DadPad has a unique offer to make, for the following reasons:

Since Day One, DadPad has been specifically written for dads, on the topics that dads and health professionals told us that they wanted and needed to know about, with expert input from NHS and Public Health professionals. As mentioned above, it's kept under regular review by the same individuals, so you always be sure that DadPad offers the latest, most up-to-date information and guidance as to best practice;

We're totally focused on 'getting the language right', so that dads feel engaged and included. Unlike other guides, supposedly written for 'parents', you won't find DadPad inadvertently slipping in phrases like 'when you give birth' or 'when you are breastfeeding'. This is because all the research evidence tells us that - for dads to actively engage in parent-focused material - they need to feel that it hasn't actually been intended for mums, partly because many dads feel that pregnancy, birth and the whole perinatal period is an exclusively female arena, in which they shouldn't/don't want to get involved, and partly because they are afraid of taking the attention or focus away from the mum at such an important time in her life. Writing materials for dads, in dad-focused wording at all times, is key to overcoming this, and helping dads feel welcomed and valued as a co-parent. Further, our years of experience in this area also enables us to spot, challenge and alter wording which might perpetuate outdated stereotypes regarding the various roles of each parent in relation to their child - for example, we'll try and avoid phrases like dad "helping to care for the baby", which might suggest that mum should be taking the lead... It might seem silly, and pedantic, but it's all about challenging unhelpful conventions; after all, have you ever seen mums being encouraged to "help to care for baby"?

One of the points we stress in our work is the importance of actively using the 'F' word (father) in any letters, posters, papers, briefings, tender documents or other communications you produce. Unless you explicitly address fathers, they are overlooked and implicitly excluded: most people (mothers and fathers, practitioners, policymakers, researchers, etc) see the word 'parents' and read it (consciously or subconsciously) as meaning 'mothers'.
Jeszemma Garratt, Head of Training at The Fatherhood Institute

It's not - and never will be - a gender-neutral, all-things-to-everyone 'ParentPad'. This isn't because we're not mindful of other parent demographics, but because we believe - and, again, this is based on research findings - that, to do the job properly, dads require something that is exclusively for them and their specific needs. Men's and dad's mental health needs will be different to those of other co-parents, the co-parent relationship dynamics between a man and a woman will differ from that between other genders, and so on. And because we're so passionate about (a) ensuring that all parents receive the advice, information and support that they need and (b) writing materials that are specific for the needs and wants of each parent demographic, we have a brand-new resource - the Co-ParentPad - coming out later in 2022, which has been written specifically for LGBTQI+ non-birthing parents;

The DadPad has more intended purposes than being 'just' a guide book or resource to help dad find out more about the skills that he needs to be a hands-on father; it's also designed to be used by relevant health professionals as an embedded engagement tool, as part of their whole family approach to perinatal care, including as:

A means of engaging with/building a relationship between dad and health professional, so that dad knows that he can: trust the health professional; be honest with them about his fears, emotions and worries; confidently share any concerns that he may have relating to mum and/or their baby at the earliest stage; and encourage mum to do the same - all of which will help to give baby the best start in life;

A means by which health professionals can start to build a picture regarding any potential safeguarding concerns - how, for example, does dad react when the DadPad is shared with or mentioned to him? (we've got a further, more detailed article on the use of DadPad as part of a safeguarding toolkit coming out later this month); and

An empowerment tool for dads, especially the less confident, younger and/or more vulnerable new fathers, helping them to see that they - just like mum - are valued, relevant and an essential part in, not only their new baby's life, but also the whole perinatal period, from pregnancy, through to labour, birth and beyond.

Why isn't the app free?

Obviously, there are a number of purportedly parent-focused resources available online at no cost, so you might wonder why we charge a fee for the DadPad app. There are several reasons why we choose to charge for our products, including:

We value our product, and we believe that - by putting a price on it - we help others to value it, too.

We value our staff and want to be able to pay them an appropriate wage in order to reflect their collective expertise and experience. Across the current crew of full-time, part-time and freelance team members, we've got a range of degrees - at both Bachelors and Masters levels - in topics as diverse as Psychology, Law, Marketing, Education and even Silversmithing, together with a huge amount of personal, lived, employed and voluntary experience in a whole range of areas which are relevant to the various aspects of DadPad, including:

employment within the Probation Service, as a group facilitator, with detailed experience of working with men on cognitive change programmes, including in particular working with domestic violence offenders;

employment within further and higher education as a lecturer;

working as a freelance writer, editor, examiner and author of materials relating to education, professional qualifications and the law;

working as a regional and national trainer on cognitive change programmes;

writing and leading a course for new fathers used in Children's Centres for five years across the south-west, and co-writing a Young Fathers' Course for roll-out across a national organisaiton;

employment as a soldier in the British Army, including having been a 'military dad';

working as a birth and postnatal doula, who's also worked as a Traumatic Birth Recovery practitioner, and local breastfeeding peer support volunteer;

having been the founding Chair of a Maternity Voices Partnership, with in-depth experience of working with and advocating for vulnerable and marginalised families in rural communities - with her work alongside the local hospital to engage the local Roma, Gypsy and Traveller communities recognised as an outstanding example of practice by the CQC in 2020 and Highly Commended for the Maternity Voices Award at the 2019 International Maternity Expo;

previous membership of the local Perinatal Mental Health Board;

previous service as a primary school governor and current service as a governor at a nursery school;

as a founder member of the Paternal Mental Health Alliance;

as a member of the Birthrights Expert Panel for the Human Rights Inquiry into Racial Injustice in Maternity Care;

as a supporter of the NHS England's Better Births Continuity of Carer Expert Reference Group; and

of course, lived experience as parents! Between the team - currently two dads and two mums - we've got seven children, ranging in age from 16 years to just a few months.

We're a Community Interest Company, which is a company that - at its heart - operates to serve a social purpose. We formed to help reduce inequalities, with a focus on helping society's most vulnerable - babies - by working to engage, include and support fathers as they transition to fatherhood. Crucially, it also means that we are a business that operates on a profit-for-purpose basis, so we are bound by rules to ensure that our profits are spent on furthering the social purpose of the company and we cannot pay ourselves over and above what would be fair and equitable in relation to the same roles in another organisation or in relation to our levels of experience and qualifications. These pay 'caps' are set by Companies House regulations, and we do not have shareholders that we have to pay dividends to. It's great to be focused!

So, by receiving income as a result of selling our products, we have been able to continue to invest in dads and parents, and to keep expanding, growing and improving our offer. Over the last ten years, we've used DadPad income to:

Continually keep all DadPad content under review, arranging for redesigns, rewrites and reprints when changes have been required as a result of changed advice on best practice;

Develop our DadPad app as a separate innovation alongside the existing and original hard copy DadPad book, in response to demand from healthcare professionals for an online, accessible-on-the-go resource;

Develop, write, print and produce the DadPad Neonatal (DPNN), a version of the DadPad written for the specific needs of new dads who find their babies in a Neonatal Unit after birth, in response to a request from consultant neonatologist Professor Minesh Khashu at Poole Hospital to meet this previously unmet need - and we've been delighted to have had the DPNN Highly Commended by the BMA in the Innovation Category of their Patient Information Awards in 2019;

Develop a Quick Read 'baby basics' version of the original DadPad. Conceived with the help of an 'easy read' expert and designer to provide enhanced illustrations and simpler, more concise explanations of key points of knowledge and skills, this book is now being used by NHS Trusts alongside existing DadPad products to enable them to reach out to and engage with a wider-ranging group of dads, including in particular those who would - for whatever reason - struggle to read and cope with the detailed explanations contained in the original DadPad;

Translate core DadPad app content into a range of different languages. By purposely avoiding using automated translation software and instead investing in bespoke translation services, we are aiming to ensure that the other language versions are - like all existing DadPad content - the best quality that they can possibly be, again enabling Health Trusts to feel confident using our products and to reach out to and successfully engage with an even larger number of dads-to-be and new dads in their area;

Continue to innovate to ensure that DadPad and the DadPad app remain the best that they can possibly be, reacting to feedback from users and Trust areas as to what other elements they would like to see and be able to offer. The updated version of the app, with a whole host of exciting new features, is coming out later this year; and

Developing new versions of the DadPad to offer support to as many new parents as possible. New issues planned for release in 2022 include the Co-Parent Pad, for LGBTQI+ non-birthing parents, and a MumPad, which focuses on improving the mum/dad relationship during the perinatal period, with key pointers on things that dad would want mum to know and/or discuss with him. We're also continuing to work with our contacts in the services to consider how best to offer support to military dads and their families.

And, in the overall scheme of things, DadPad is a relatively low-level investment for a Health Trust to make, given the potential long-term savings that the SROI tool (see further, below) has suggested it could make.

But does it actually work?

We're obviously regularly asked what evidence there is to support DadPad and the goals we intend it to help meet. Hopefully, some of the points below will help address such queries:

With any new and innovative approach to a social problem which involves system change and with prevention at its core, it will take time to understand all the benefits and be able to measure them, so as to adjudge the true impact and effectiveness of that approach. Having said this, though, there are still ways to accurately see impact - in both social and economic senses - which again require effort and change to implement. This includes surveys, focus groups and data analysis tools which consider direct effects and cost savings (in terms of pounds and pence) for society as a whole.
One tool used to measure the economic return on investment made is the Social Value Engine Tool which, when initially applied to the use of DadPad in its early years, came back with a figure which indicated that - for every £1 spent on DadPad - a £56 saving could be made to the community. An example of how this happens is that, by using his DadPad, a dad would be able to notice symptoms of depression in his partner during pregnancy much earlier than he might otherwise have done, had he been unaware of the signs to look out for. Again, as a result of the advice set out in DadPad, he will be able to ensure that she receives correct support and treatment at an earlier stage, and will also potentially need less interventions. There are therefore implicit cost savings as a result of less treatment (and possibly also less severe treatment and/or interventions), not only in financial terms, but also in relation to the potential impact on that a prolonged, undiagnosed and unsupported period of mental ill health might have had on the family as a whole. This is just one example of how an approach to the perinatal period which includes, informs and engages dads and partners can be so effective in preventing negative health and promoting shared care and partnership in newly-formed families.

Our entire 'back catalogue' of content and approach is evidence-based, guided by over 20 years of research into the importance of father and partner inclusion and focused on the best ways to care for babies and their families. All this research has, of course, most recently dovetailed with maternity services approaches which encourage their workforce and initiatives to be inclusive and equitable, and to 'Think Family', to look at the world through the baby's eyes and to be trauma-informed. As mentioned above, this research has established that there is a clear need for dads to receive a direct approach and to be spoken to directly in relation to all things perinatal and parenting, in order to feel included and engaged. Although this whole issue is covered in more detail in other blogs (including our "Why dads?" piece), some of the key points - all of which are central to all DadPad work and innovation - are that:

Academics, such as Dr Anna Machin, have established that dads have a unique and important role to play in his child's life, with his bond helping his child to not only feel loved and nurtured, but also to learn how to deal with challenges and gain in confidence;

The Government - via reports such as Every Child Matters in 2003 - are advocating for the need for greater recognition of and support for the role that fathers play in a family;

Research has established, though, that fathers feel excluded during the antenatal period, and also that perinatal services have not been focused on the perinatal mental health struggles of fathers/partners;

Some of the reasons for these feelings of exclusion (as summarised by Raquib Ibrahim from Mellow Parenting at the 2020 AIMH Annual Infancy Conference) - barriers to engagement, if you like - include:

cultural expectations (e.g. in relation to perceived gender roles within a family);

ingrained societal attitudes regarding dad's role (use of phrases like 'baby-sitting the kids');

environmental constraints (including expectations and availability of access in schools, services, family centres etc);

accessibility, which also links to work commitments (are there any groups or services available for dad and, if there are, are they available at times when he can easily access them?);

family circumstances (such as the dynamics in his relationship with his partner, his in-laws, etc);

resources (where are these being targeted, what funding is available to support dad-work, and what knowledge, expertise and awareness do staff have to involve and support dad?); and

images and language (such as in social media and across the internet).

And this latter point leads into that confirmed by many academics, including Jeszemma from The Fatherhood Institute (quoted above), that dad-focused materials need to be explicitly written for dads for them to actively engage with the resources. Using words like 'parent' will implicitly lead dad to believe that they are for mum, not him, and he will actively disengage.

We are so pleased to have received so much positive feedback from dads, families and health professionals over our years of operation. These comments have meant that - during the past three years - we have (so far) been commissioned by over 24 perinatal organisations (including NHS maternity and clinical Perinatal Mental Health Services, Public Health and Safeguarding Boards), making our DadPads and DadPad app available to new dads in about 75% of the UK. Further, the fact that we have also received repeat orders from established DadPad areas (either for additional books and/or for renewal of app licences) further evidences the fact that commissioners are happy with the benefits that DadPad provides to them, their teams and their families;

As a result of learning gained from all the feedback that we have received over the years, we are about to refresh our DadPad app with many new and exciting features. Working alongside the Academic Health Science Network (AHSN), we will not only be embedding tools to gather evidence for a long-term evaluation, but we will also be building a community of support by and for the dad-users. This will also enable them to provide feedback into other organisations that want to learn how to best support them as new dads, but also to be linked up with university or other research studies looking to gather dad-focused evidence.

Julian with Mark Williams and team, presenting Mark Williams' report to the House of Commons and NICE in Sept 2020.

What else does 'DadPad' do?

As you've hopefully guessed by now, the team at DadPad are a lot more than simply producers of a guide for new dads. As well as Julian being one of the founder members of the Paternal Mental Health Alliance, an organisation established in September 2020 following the presentation of the ten-year report by fathers' mental health campaigner Mark Williams and team to NICE (the National Institute of Clinical Excellence) and to MPs in Parliament, we also work to raise the profile of dads' mental health needs and dads' role as a co-parent via our social media accounts and blog posts.

We've established ourselves as a recognised source of information and expertise via our growing list of contacts - e.g. via dads and health professionals within our 24 (and growing) DadPad areas, as well as our 'dadvocate' contacts, engaged in dad-work and/or research across the UK. The latter includes the aforementioned Mark Williams, Kieran Anders at Dad Matters UK, Dr Andy Mayers from Bournemouth University, Jeszemma Howl at The Fatherhood Institute, Errol Murray at Leeds Dads, perinatal mental health support advocate and trainer Scott Mair, and Ash Curry, a perinatal mental health trainer with expertise in OCD. We're constantly looking to reach out to more and more such workers and campaigners, to continue to 'keep the dots joined up' regarding dads' work across the UK.

This has all also enabled us to become something of a 'listening bank'; we're trying to listen to the voices of both dads and workers on the ground, via all our DadPad areas, to reflect on the changes that are needed in real-time. This gives opportunities for the researchers, organisations and statutory services around us to understand and learn what the dads and their families need in terms of existing support, and the new levels and types of support that would need to be created.

Becoming recognised as experts in our field means that we're also increasingly asked to become involved in new and evolving projects, research, strategies, systems and processes around dad-work, which is fantastic and an honour to be invited to do.

We do our best to keep on top of all the latest research and evidence coming out around topics applicable to our work, including dads, parenting, the perinatal period and other co-parents. To this end, we also endeavour to support students and researchers undertaking research within relevant areas, including by sharing their requests for participants across our social media channels.

This constant reading and searching for the latest developments in our field also supports Team DadPad in providing 'added value' on all aspects of parenting and being a dad via our regular blog posts, usually published each Friday as part of our #FatherhoodFriday initiative on social media. These blogs provide further reading for dads and/or health professionals on a range of core topics including:

dads' mental health;

infant mental health;

bonding and attachment;

safe sleep;

coping with crying;

and the basics of baby care.

We always work hard and do our utmost to ensure that these articles are accurate, referenced and - where relevant - written in a way that makes them accessible to dads (and our team's collective experiences in academia, freelance writing and related services means that we believe that we're able to do this to a high standard, again ensuring that all our content is reliable, professional and can be trusted).

It is always a privilege to work with so many perinatal professionals who help us to share the results of our many content collaborations between areas, ensuring that all new dads are benefitting from the best and most up-to-date information, and which crucially has saved a great deal of time for these professionals who are no longer having to 'reinvent the wheel'.

We're also dedicated to helping organisations and health teams 'get the language right' around dads, as mentioned above, and we have further invested our profits to encourage and enable other charities and 'dadvocates' to develop their own projects. For example, over the past couple of years we have:

worked with Mark Williams to help him share his message by:

sponsoring the production of the book of his life story - Daddy Blues - into a film, and

working with him to compile, edit and publish his ground-breaking ten-year report, which we also sponsored in full;

sponsored Alright Mate? CIC's Cally Hayes' production of an audio series to help new dads hear about how mental health is affected when transitioning to fatherhood.

Alright Mate? CIC's fatherhood installation: Fatherhood and Mental Health

In addition to all of this - and even though we're not set up to provide direct advice to individuals - we also do our best to offer ad hoc support and/or ideas for referrals or signposting to the health pros, families and individual dads who contact us.

Finally, our mission is to enable dads' (and partners') voices to be heard: for those surrounding them to know what they need and how to fully support them as they transition to parenthood. We aim to do this on a daily basis, as we speak with dads, with our 'dadvocate' contacts, with frontline health professionals, with commissioners and even - occasionally - with politicians and the media. Our new app platform will further help us to 'hear' from those dads, and to share their message wide and far.

The ideal solution?

So imagine, then, if every new dad is given access to the DadPad app (and/or a copy of the DadPad) as he leaves his first contact with a perinatal professional... Immediately, some of the key established barriers to 'dad-engagement' are being broken down. As he begins and continues to engage with the DadPad content, specifically written for his needs, he will not only be gaining in key knowledge and skills, which will enable him to become a supportive and involved co-parent and father, but will also be being encouraged to engage and build a relationship of trust with the healthcare professionals surrounding him and his family. This will give him the confidence to seek out answers to the important questions that he has, and to raise his worries without fear, in order to get the best support possible. At the same time, the healthcare professionals will be gaining a fuller and more true picture of the family dynamic, equipping them to give that new unit the utmost in tailor-made support and continuity of care, all of which will give baby the very best opportunity for the best start in life.

Perinatal services therefore need to play their part in the engagement process, too, and working in collaboration with us at DadPad - gaining from our collective expertise and experience (both internally, from within our team, and externally, from our links with other areas and professionals across the country) and 'listening bank' insight from dads, dad-workers and healthcare professionals - is at the very heart of our offer, growing and learning together with you to better support dads and partners, which we have all wanted to do for so long.

To find out more about DadPad and how it could work for you, in your area, please get in touch with us for a no-pressure, exploratory chat: hello@thedadpad.co.uk.

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Why DadPad | About DadPad | Support for new dads

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If you're not sure whether it's worth investing in DadPad as a resource for your health trust, we hope that this article might help you...

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Laura’s Dad tells their story and shares his top tips for neonatal parents.

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Safer sleep for babies, Support for families

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We aim to help dads have successful relationships with their families, and to support dads with anxiety, stress and mental health issues.

We hope to get dads engaged with services that have traditionally been targeted at mums, and to train & support volunteer dads to work with us.

We work directly with services that support Dads, families and especially babies to increase engagement and knowledge across the sector.

We want to make sure dads know how important they are, how to access support when they need it and why it's essential for baby's development.

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VOLUNTEER WITH US EVENTS REGISTRATION FIND SUPPORT IN YOUR AREA DONATE HERE We aim to help dads have successful relationships with their families, and to support dads with anxiety, stress and mental health issues. We hope to get dads engaged with services that have traditionally been targeted at mums,

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International Men's day was on the 19th November. To mark it Jeremy Davies explores the resources provided by the Fatherhood Institute to support the needs of fathers.

There's a huge lack of well-written, evidence-based information designed specifically to help men navigate their personal journeys into fatherhood - and we know that maternity services and other family support services often struggle to engage effectively with fathers, even in the perinatal period when they are very likely to be 'in the room'.

This matters not just because fathers need help themselves, but because well-supported fathers can provide vital support to mothers. We know that during the Covid-19 pandemic, fathers have been routinely excluded from maternity care -leaving dads feeling unprepared.

More maternity services are now open than at earlier points in the pandemic, but we know that some are still imposing heavy restrictions. Only this week, we have joined Birthrights, AIMS, Pregnant then Screwed, But Not Maternity, Birth Trauma Association, Doula UK, Queer Birth Club and Paternal Mental Health in calling on the Welsh Health Minister to revise maternity service visiting restrictions in Wales (for more details on this, see Birthrights' press release).

New and powerful antenatal and postnatal guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) now require healthcare professionals to enable fathers/partners to attend appointments (including remotely), offer them a chair in the consultation room, and provide them with information about pregnancy, breastfeeding, infant care, bonding and supporting their baby's mother.

We know that midwives and other practitioners are under huge pressure, and we want to help them engage more effectively with men. New resources are now available to help.
Becoming Dad
Written in collaboration with the Mental Health Foundation, this new guide for expectant and new fathers aims to help men make sense of what's happening to them; look after themselves and the others around them; and do the best possible job of becoming a confident father.

We're making it available free to fathers, and professionals working with families, via our new Time with Dad campaign. Here's the link: https://mailchi.mp/fatherhoodinstitute.org/becoming-dad

If you fill in your details there, we'll send you a copy, and relevant updates about the campaign.
Our new training brochure
Alongside Becoming Dad, we have also updated our Training Brochure, which now includes details about the range of courses we offer to help professionals engage more effectively with, and provide high quality support to, men as they work out how to become the best dad they can be.

Within you'll find several courses focused on the perinatal period:
Becoming Dad - Perinatal peer-support sessions for expectant and new fathers
Our Becoming Dad perinatal peer-support sessions offer small groups of expectant fathers the opportunity to learn caregiving skills and navigate the practical and emotional challenges of early fatherhood - supported by other men who have recently become dads.
Supporting Fathers in the Perinatal Period
The transition to parenthood has been called 'the golden moment' to engage fathers, and this unique, evidence-based training course provides participants with knowledge and strategies to embed change in their agency and in their own practice.
Father-Inclusive Health Visiting Services
This popular course, first piloted through the Burdett Trust and evaluated by Institute of Health & Society, University of Worcester, supports staff to explore and develop strategies to engage with new fathers, develop the confidence, knowledge and skills to work effectively with them, and discover a 'whole team' approach to supporting the whole family.
What New Dads Need to Know (and How We Might Support Them)
Building on many years' innovation and collaboration, we have developed a framework setting out what information new fathers need, and when they need it. Using this, we will help you define the 'why' and 'how' of your messaging to fathers, including around their own and their partner's mental and physical health, couple and family relationships and baby and child development.

You can download our 2021/22 Training Brochure (and watch our little 1-minute animation about it) via this link: http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/2021/training-brochure/
What you can do to help

Recommend Becoming Dad to the families you work with, your colleagues and networks

Send them this link http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/2021/becoming-dad/.

Book a training course, or commission some bespoke support

Save our brochure onto your computer, or bookmark and share it with your colleagues. Here's this link: http://www.fatherhoodinstitute.org/2021/training-brochure/.

And do feel free to contact our Head of Training Jeszemma Garratt to book a no-obligation chat about possible training options. You can email her at j.garratt@fatherhoodinstitute.org.

Interested in our 'what works' network?

Funding permitting, we are looking to create a 'what works' network in spring 2022, through which we will consult with parents and practitioners, promote best practice and help NHS and family services 'build back' from the pandemic in ways that make the most of fathers' and partners' involvement and support. Find out more and/or register your interest.

Finally do also watch out for the new version of Best Beginnings' Baby Buddy app, for which we wrote the fathers' pathway - making it the first app in the world to offer personalised daily information to dads on their pregnancy and parenting journey. This is another resource free to dads, which professionals may find useful to recommend to families they work with.

Jeremy Davies, The Fatherhood Institute

Keep up to date with the latest Maternity and Midwifery news and updates by subscribing to the Maternity and Midwifery Forum YouTube Channel.

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Supporting the perinatal needs of Fathers: New resources - Maternity & Midwifery Forum %

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In the current backdrop of ongoing COVID 19 cases across the UK the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the current regulator for health and social care, has produced their report of the state of the services in England. Though the report is a summary across all services it does include salient messages for maternity services.

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Tiny Tickers improves the early detection and care of babies with serious heart conditions.

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Map of hospitals with infant care wards across Kent Surrey and Sussex

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Map of hospitals with infant care wards across Kent Surrey and Sussex

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The Doctors, Neonatologists (Baby doctors), nurses and Midwives will discuss with you a transfer to a NICU if it's in your best interest. You will be involved in all discussions about the care and treatment of your unborn baby/babies.

NICU, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, is a level 3 unit that cares for all babies requiring extra support.

LNU, Local neonatal unit, is a level 2 unit that cares for babies from 27 week singletons and 28 week multiples and older.

SCU, Special Care Unit, is a level 1 unit that cares for babies born after 32 weeks who do need intensive care.

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What does preterm birth or premature birth mean?

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What does preterm birth or premature birth mean?

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We normally expect babies to be born between 37-42 weeks of pregnancy. When babies are born before 37 weeks we refer to this as preterm (premature) birth. About 8 out of 100 babies will be born prematurely before 37 weeks.

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If baby is likely to be born very prematurely, you may need to move to a specialist neonatal unit at another hospital. This is known as ‘in utero transfer’.

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Looking after your baby on the neonatal unit | Bliss

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It can be hard to know how to look after your baby in neonatal care. But getting involved can help you and your baby. Find information and support in this section.

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Interventions for a safer premature birth

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Interventions for a safer premature birth

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Interventions towards a safer premature birth PREM7+ is a project by health professionals across the South East that has looked at the best things, evidence-based that can be used to help you and your baby when you are at risk of preterm birth, and when your baby is born prematurely

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Operational Neonatal Network virtual tours of all Kent Surrey and Sussex wards.

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Operational Neonatal Network virtual tours of all Kent Surrey and Sussex wards.

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Click on the hospitals below to find out more about the units within our network and to view each unit's individual website. To find out more about where each unit is situated across our region, you can also visit our interactive map.

Accessibility Toolbar

close Toggle the visibility of the Accessibility Toolbar

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Unit Information - Neonatal Network South East

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Click on the hospitals below to find out more about the units within our network and to view each unit's individual website. To find out more about where each unit is situated across our region, you can also visit our interactive map.

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Transferring your baby to another hospital

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Transferring your baby to another hospital

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Why is my baby being transferred to a different hospital?

There are a few reasons why your baby may be transferred. A health professional should explain why your baby is being moved.

Here are some common reasons:

If they need specialist care, equipment or surgery that is provided at a different hospital

If your baby's health is improving and they no longer need higher levels of care. At this stage they might be moved closer to home

Sometimes a unit becomes full. It may not have enough cots or staff to care for another baby. In this case your baby may need to be cared for at a different hospital

For an appointment with a specialist doctor

If your baby needs an operation they will need to go to a hospital that has a surgical centre. When the operation is over your baby will be moved back to the neonatal unit. They will only be transferred when the neonatal team feel they are well enough for the journey.

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Transferring your baby to another hospital | Bliss

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There are a few reasons why your baby may be transferred. A health professional should explain why your baby is being moved. Here are some common reasons: If they need specialist care, equipment or surgery that is provided at a different hospital If your baby's health is improving and they no longer need higher levels of care.

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PREM7+, a South East Maternity and Neonatal project focused on 9 interventions towards a safer premature birth

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PREM7+, a South East Maternity and Neonatal project focused on 9 interventions towards a safer premature birth

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You have been given this information as you are at a greater risk of your baby/babies coming early (premature). Premature labour is labour that happens before the 37th week of pregnancy. We know that the idea of your baby coming early will be stressful, the information included in this padlet and the PREM7+ leaflets, have been co-produced with parents who have shared their lived experience of premature birth and neonatal care, producing this to support you.

We want to work with you, your partner and your family in your pregnancy planning, while you are still pregnant, during labour, and beyond, to improve your pregnancy journey and your premature baby’s outcome. You must be involved in every decision about your care and treatment.

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Service user voice on preterm experience

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Service user voice on preterm experience

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/1cys0sTx6LPJt1kTp8HdJR?si=9yX0JfeATW-6VfqiclGNMg

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Listen to this episode from Preterm Birth Optimisation on Spotify. In this final in the preterm birth series episode we will be discussing the impact that preterm birth has on parents. We will hear from Emma Johnson who will tell us about her personal experience and how she is working as part of a larger network to improve the experience for families that experience preterm birth in the future.

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"Co-production is a way of working that involves people who use health and care services, carers and communities in equal partnership; and which engages groups of people at the earliest stages of service design, development and evaluation.

Co-production acknowledges that people with 'lived experience' of a particular condition are often best placed to advise on what support and services will make a positive difference to their lives. Done well, co-production helps to ground discussions in reality, and to maintain a person-centred perspective. Co-production is part of a range of approaches that includes citizen involvement, participation, engagement & consultation."

Values and behaviours

For co-production to become part of the way we work, we will create a culture where the following values and behaviours are the norm:

Image from A Co-production Model. Produced by NHS England and Coalition for Personalised Care.

Image description:

The image displays the following the values and behaviours needed to ensure co-production becomes part of the way we work:

1. Ownership, understanding and support of co-production by all

2. A culture of openness and honesty

3. Commitment to sharing power and decisions with citizens

4. Clear communication in plain English

5. A culture in which people are valued and respected.

Resource

Watch a short animation on The World of Co-Production to explore a map of common pitfalls and benefits of co-producing.

Working in partnership with people and communities

The statutory guidance on working in partnership with people and communities identifies the legal duties organisations that are required to make to ensure that people are appropriately 'involved' in planning, proposals and decisions regarding NHS services. A blended approach to working partnership with people and communities is required and a number of approaches are identified, including co-production. It is important to have clarity regarding the rational for the chosen approaches.

Image description:

This diagram is from Annex A: Implementation of the Statutory guidance for working in partnership with people and communities.

It shows some of the different ways of working with people and communities:

Inform: Sharing information about proposed changes so people understand what they mean.

Consult: Asking for people's opinions on one or more ideas or options.

Engage: Listening to people to understand issues and discuss ideas for change.

Co-design: Designing with people and incorporating their ideas into the final approach.

Co-production: An equal partnership where people with lived and learnt experience work together from start to finish.

Improving experience of care: A shared commitment for those working in health and care systems

The National Quality Board document Improving experience of care: A shared commitment for those working in health and care systems was also refreshed and published in October 2022. This identified 3 key principles that should always be considered when planning for the delivery of the best possible experience across a health and care system or provider.

Image description:

The diagram displays the key principles of delivering the best possible experience of care in systems.

It states that when planning for the delivery of the best possible experience across a health and care system or within a provider, there are 3 key principles that should always be considered:

1. co-production as default for improvement

2. using insight and feedback

3. improving experience of care at the core of propriety programmes.

Co-production as the default for improvement is an essential part of improvement methodology.

Watch this short interview with Don Berwick, President Emeritus and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) in conversation with We Coproduce on the topic of communities and healthcare systems.

Co-production in our learning from the pandemic response

The COVID-19 pandemic was a catalyst that sparked new partnerships, accelerated research, and increased the speed at which innovations were adopted across the health and social care system. The Accelerated Access Collaborative (AAC) and the Beneficial Changes Network (BCN) commissioned Frontier Economics, Kaleidoscope Health and Care, and RAND Europe, to conduct an independent review to help learn lessons from this period and recommend how potentially beneficial changes can become day to day practice. It was conducted between October and December 2020 and involved a range of lived experience voices and over 80 stakeholder organisations. The number one critical ingredient for change was co-production. This was endorsed by the Quality and Innovation Committee at NHS England in March 2021 and there is now work underway to co-produce how we bring this recommendation to light and shift the culture of the way we work to ensure it is co-production as default.

Resource

Co-production as default: a critical ingredient for change in implementing COVID-19 related beneficial changes and recovery.

Critical ingredients for change

1. Co-production as default

2. Prioritise reducing inequalities

3. Leadership for innovation

4. Innovation-friendly environment

What we say needs to be done to implement the co-production as default

Work with system partners to place co-production - including people with relevant lived experience - at the centre of how the health and care system learns and embeds change from the response to COVID-19.

In local services, in ICSs and nationally, we will transform our ways of working so that we are able to demonstrate that we:

always start from what matters most to people who use and work in services

work with people who have relevant lived experience (patients, service users, unpaid carers and people in paid lived experience roles) and with staff, in everything we do to directly connect with multiple and diverse voices

build equal and reciprocal partnerships with people who have relevant lived experience, and staff, including with those from.

Further information can be found at our FutureNHS Co-production workspace - we welcome people with lived and learnt experience to join the platform. Log in is required but you don't need to have an NHS email to access.

For further information on co-production or Always Events please email england.eoccoproduction@nhs.net

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"Co-production is a way of working that involves people who use health and care services, carers and communities in equal partnership; and which engages groups of people at the earliest stages of service design, development and evaluation.

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https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KpA6kf2EzJiAPoJfpiUTe?si=58uqJmVEQMyfwuA7B_IuqA

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Listen to this episode from Preterm Birth Optimisation on Spotify. In this episode I will be chatting to Eileen Dudley, regional lead for the Maternal and Neonatal Safety Improvement Programme. We will be discussing the importance of ensuring that when birth occurs early, it does so in the most appropriate place.

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Interventions for a safer premature birth

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Interventions for a safer premature birth

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Interventions towards a safer premature birth PREM7+ is a project by health professionals across the South East that has looked at the best things, evidence-based that can be used to help you and your baby when you are at risk of preterm birth, and when your baby is born prematurely

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Shared kindly by Sarah Edwards to support parents when their preterm infant needs to be cared for on another hospital.

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Postnatal depression and perinatal mental health

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Postnatal depression and perinatal mental health

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perinatal mental health services - Search (bing.com)

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Columns have been named and share information about the topic such as, 'am I at risk of preterm birth'. This column will have information about previous and current medical findings that may increase your risk of having a preterm birth. It will have links to evidence-based information and more to support you.

Scroll down each column to find information, links to charities, information for dads, health, maternity, and neonatal services across the South East, and more.

Clicking on any hyperlink or caption (picture) will take you to a trusted site.

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A  Multilingual Maternity Resources Padlet - 45 different languages from Afrikaans to Welsh

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A  Multilingual Maternity Resources Padlet - 45 different languages from Afrikaans to Welsh

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Access this padlet by clicking theQR code. It includes resources in multiple languages including Sign Language and audio form.

Kindly shared by Charlotte Easton and Herts and West Essex LMNS

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The Bliss website has a wealth of information to support you all the through your preterm journey with language and accessibility options available.

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For babies born premature or sick | Bliss

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Our vision is that every baby born premature or sick in the UK has the best chance of survival and quality of life.

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Supporting you and your family when you are told you are having more than one baby.

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Twins Trust - We support twins, triplets and more...

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Supporting you through every milestone of your journey with twins, triplets or more. From being pregnant with twins, triplets or quads through to parenting twins, triplets or quads, we are here for you.

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The nappies are available free of charge and parents can pick them up by visiting an Asda pharmacy, which are open from 8am – 8pm Monday – Saturday and 10am – 4pm or 11am - 5pm on Sundays. Parents can find their nearest pharmacy by visiting the Asda website.

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Asda has partnered with Pampers to offer free nappies for all premature babies from its 254 instore pharmacies across the UK.

The Asda & Pampers partnership is a first for a UK retailer as nappies for babies born pre-term have previously only been available in hospitals or from healthcare providers.

The nappies are available free of charge and parents can pick them up by visiting an Asda pharmacy, which are open from 8am - 8pm Monday - Saturday and 10am - 4pm or 11am - 5pm on Sundays. Parents can find their nearest pharmacy by visiting

Around 1 in 13 babies are born pre-term in the UK, meaning that 60,000 babies each year require specialised care and need smaller sized nappies to protect their delicate skin during critical stages of their development. Pampers Preemie Protection Nappies are Pampers' smallest nappy and are up to three times smaller than a regular newborn nappy. They come in three sizes for babies weighing less than 1.1lbs up to 4lbs when they would move into standard newborn sized nappies.

The nappies have been specially designed in collaboration with neonatal nurses for the most delicate skin with all over fastening for a customisable fit which adapts around medical leads and lines, helping minimise disruption and irritation during nappy changing. A contour fit core provides a narrow, contoured fit between the legs, allowing baby's legs and hips to rest comfortably and support their healthy development.

With no front or back, the nappies have end-to-end absorbency to prevent leakage, and the nappy liner quickly pulls wetness and runny mess away from baby's skin into the core of the nappy to help keep baby's delicate skin dry whilst asleep.

Faisal Tuddy, Asda's Superintendent Pharmacist said: "We are proud to be the first retailer to partner with Pampers, and hope that by offering these nappies for free to new parents from our 254 Asda Pharmacies, those early weeks with a premature baby are made slightly easier. Within our in-store pharmacies, customers can also speak to trained professionals for healthcare advice relating to baby and parent."
Sonal Dash, Asda's VP for Non-Edible and Healthcare said: Nicole Hallak, Brand Director, Pampers UK & Ireland commented: "We are thrilled to be partnering with Asda Pharmacies to offer our Pampers Preemie Protection Nappies free of charge to new parents with premature babies. Pampers is committed to the happy, healthy development of every baby and this partnership allows all UK parents to access quality nappies with our trusted Pampers promise for their precious little ones." "Asda is a values-led organisation and we always put our customers first. We focus our efforts in delivering products to support our communities. This partnership with P&G supports new parents at times which can be scary and challenging, and this is testimony to Asda's culture and purpose."
Pampers continues to work with their long-term partner, Bliss, to support parents with the resources to help them feel more involved & confident in the care of their premature or sick babies and give them the best start in life. For more information and advice, please visit or call their careline on 020 7378 1122.

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Asda Becomes First Retailer to Offer Free Nappies for Premature Babies

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Asda has partnered with Pampers to offer free nappies for all premature babies from its 254 instore pharmacies across the UK.The Asda & Pampers partnership is a first for a UK retailer as nappies for babies born pre-term have previously only been available in hospitals or from healthcare...

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Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy is s where there is a lack of oxygen and blood flow to the brain. It can occur before, during, or shortly after labour.

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Peeps HIE Charity | HIE Awareness & Support

Welcome to Peeps HIE

We provide support to parents, families & friends of those affected by HIE (Hypoxic-Ischaemic Encephalopathy), raising awareness of HIE.

Some of the things we do include:

Provide information about HIE

Buddy/peer support

Counselling and therapy

Funding for equipment

Find out more about what we do...

Our Family stories

We pride ourselves on the support we can give to families experiencing the challenges of day-to-day life with children affected by HIE.

Read our Family Stories

Peeps on Twitter

Our information leaflets are written by families, with families, for families.
They can be downloaded from our website, or printed copies sent out - please get in touch if we can help support.

https://www.peeps-hie.org/resources-downloads/

#HeardOfHIE

2

If you'd like to find out more about our new book club, starting in 2024, and register an interest, please check out our website:

It will be online, peer-led, from the comfort of your own home, and just for H.I.E. parents/grandparents/carers.
Suggestions...

We recognise that each H.I.E. journey can be unique; we aim to provide support and guidance tailored to the diverse needs of our community.

Inclusion matters and is an agenda item on every meeting we have with Trustees and employees.

From informational resources to emotional...

Twitter icon
View more

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Peeps HIE Charity | HIE Awareness & Support

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Peeps is a UK charity, dedicated to supporting those affected by HIE (hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy). We provide emotional, practical and financial support.

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NEC is inflammation of the bowel that can cause variable levels of damage but can cause a temporary intolerance to milk feeds. The risk of NEC is reduced with expressed early breast milk. When OCM is achieved, when intrapartum steroids are given and when the babies temperature is kept at an optimal level.

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Necrotising Enterocolitis | Nec Uk | England

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NEC UK A UK Charity for the condition Necrotising Enterocolitis- What is NEC, nec support, family support. Raise awareness of necrotising enterocolitis.

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The risk of GBS is reduced if you receive intrapartum antibiotics. GBS is a natural bacteria that both men and women carry. It is not sexually transmitted. GBSS UK is a charity that has a good amount of information to support you and your families. The information is available in many languages.

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Group B Strep Support – Working to stop group B Strep infection in babies

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We are the UK charity working to stop group B Strep infection in babies. Find out more about group B Strep on our site.

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Mama Academy, a charity supporting safer pregnancy.

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Mama Academy, a charity supporting safer pregnancy.

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The web page provides lots of information and resources to support you and your families. The pregnancy passports and leaflets are available in 12 languages.

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A small charity that advocates for involved fatherhood offers a 68 page guide for expectant and new fathers.

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The Fatherhood Institute is a small charity that advocates for involved fatherhood. Time with Dad is our campaign to improve support for fathers - giving men the help they need to care for and spend time with their children, and to play their part in supporting their health, learning and development.

By joining theTime with Dad network, you can access our evidence-based resources and training; share your ideas and experiences through surveys and 'think-ins'; and take part in our policy campaigns.

We will send you a free PDF ofBecoming Dad, our guide for new fathers, and will stay in touch via newsletters sent direct to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time, by clicking 'unsubscribe' on any of the emails you receive from us.

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The Fatherhood Institute is a small charity that advocates for involved fatherhood. Time with Dad is our campaign to improve support for fathers - giving men the help they need to care for and spend time with their children, and to play their part in supporting their health, learning and development.

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Known risks that may lead to a preterm delivery

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Known risks that may lead to a preterm delivery

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When you register your pregnancy with your local maternity provider, you will be asked many questions about any previous pregnancies, if any, your medical history, your personal life including who you live with, your environment, your lifestyle choices such as smoking and alcohol, and your ethnicity and family history. These questions enable the maternity and neonatal care team (everyone involved in your care during pregnancy and after your baby is born) to personalise your care.

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Statement on Inclusive Language and Practice. The South East Maternity and Neonatal units and the Patient Safety Collaboratives are aware that the use of language such as mother, woman and maternal, as well as breast and breastmilk feeding, can make some families feel excluded.

When we use these words in this padlet, we are referring to all women, nonbinary birthing people, and trans men regardless of their gender identity. When supporting you as individual families, professionals are encouraged to use the terms that you identify with, as well as your desired pronouns.

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on 11 August 2022 NHS MSWs - Maternity Support Workers Safety Maternity Safety Equality and Diversity LGBT

Maternity services should be welcoming and accessible to all those who need them - and all those who work in them. Over recent months, the RCM has been developing its position on inclusion, to ensure that the language we use reflects this. This, alongside our work earlier this year around the language we use to describe birth, seeks to address inequalities.

We are very aware that this is an arena that provokes a wide range of very different views and beliefs. We recognise that all respectful compassionate and genuine debate has a place in midwifery, but we will not engage with toxic and bullying posturing.

We are aiming to find a kinder more inclusive language where everyone who uses or works in maternity services feels respected, recognised and welcomed. Discrimination has no place in maternity services and we are committed to tackling this, and supporting our members to speak up.

Although we have a long and well established history of challenging discrimination and ensuring that the language we use is as inclusive as it can be, in this area like many others we are navigating new terrain. We do this in a genuine desire to do the right thing and we will listen to all constructive feedback as well as considering emerging evidence on the topic. We are aware that sexed language is essential in certain circumstances: when communicating statistics or collecting data, hence careful discussion and ad-hoc consideration is needed.

How we use language can have a huge impact, it is something that changes and adapts whilst at the same time it can be central to identity and even have meaning in law. When the RCM took the decision to look at the language we use in our own materials our starting point was that our members and those who use and come into contact with maternity services absolutely deserve to be treated with respect, dignity and be free from discrimination. This is of course central to the NMC code which contains the professional standards that midwives must uphold.

We know that the majority of RCM members and service users are women but we also recognise and affirm diverse gender identities, this was the point our discussions began at. From our research we found a range of approaches to the use of inclusive language from being fully neutral and removing all references to sex and gender, use of sex-specific language alongside additional gender-neutral language and sex-specific language with an organisational statement acknowledging the diversity of gender identity.

We know that many RCM members do want us to take a position as an organisation. This piece of work is purely about the language that we use as an organisation and it isn't about advising our members on how they practice, as we know they are providing respectful and personalised care every day.

That's why we are publishing a statement that says:

We are committed to serving and respecting all of our members and maternity service users, most of whom are women. The language we use reflects that but will also be varied where appropriate to recognise and affirm diverse gender identities. Best practice in inclusive language is evolving and the RCM will strive to ensure it communicates as effectively as possible with our members, service users and stakeholders.

So in future materials from the RCM you will see that we will always use women but we will use gender neutral language in addition as well in some of our communications when appropriate. We will ensure that we live up to the commitments made in our statement because ultimately ensuring our members, women and people who use maternity services feel that they belong is the right thing to do.

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Inclusive language in maternity care to address inequalities

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Maternity services should be welcoming and accessible to all those who need them - and all those who work in them. Over recent months, the RCM has been developing its position on inclusion, to ensure that the language we use reflects this.

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What signs and symptoms should I be aware of.

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What signs and symptoms should I be aware of.

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Before 30 weeks of pregnancy, you may not experience contractions. It is very important that you are aware of the above signs and symptoms, as your tummy (womb/uterus), where your baby/babies is/are growing may not tighten and contract, and you may instead, experience period pains and cramps.

Trust your instincts and call the numbers you have been provided with. Never feel you are being silly, we will always listen to you, and ask you to attend the unit when needed. Your maternity and neonatal care team will always discuss your care openly and honestly, ensuring you understand and involve you every step of your journey

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The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families

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The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families

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Dedicated to finding causes and treatments to save babies’ lives as well as providing trusted pregnancy and baby loss information and support.

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Together, for every baby - Charity for Babies | Tommy’s

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Tommy’s is the largest UK pregnancy and baby loss charity, funding research into stillbirth, premature birth and miscarriage and providing trusted pregnancy and baby loss information and support.

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Preterm Birth, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

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Risk factors for premature birth explained

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Risk factors for premature birth explained

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Helpline for Black and Black Mixed-Heritage women

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Helpline for Black and Black Mixed-Heritage women

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This specialist helpline supports Black and Black Mixed-Heritage women and birthing people in the UK. Black women are at higher risks of complications during pregnancy, which is why we are offering extra support.

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What happens if I’m told I am at risk of premature birth?

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What happens if I’m told I am at risk of premature birth?

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The care you’ll receive to reduce your risk of giving birth early will depend on why you are at risk.

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What happens if I’m told I am at risk of premature birth?

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You may be told by your healthcare professional that you are at higher risk of a premature birth. Here’s more about what you can expect if this happens.

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The information here aims to help you better understand your health and your options for treatment and care. Your healthcare team is there to support you in making decisions that are right for you. They can help by discussing your situation with you and answering your questions.

Risk is the chance that any activity or action could happen and harm you. Almost everything we do has an associated risk. Living is a risky business. People will generally take risks if they feel that there is an advantage or benefit. We need to look at risks and benefits together. Normally the benefits of an action should outweigh the risks. There is no such thing as a zero risk. How you view risk depends to a large extent on your own circumstances and 'comfort zone'.

This information will help you understand how your healthcare professionals will discuss risk with you in relation to your health care and medical treatment.

This information covers:

why you need to know about risk

how risk is discussed

how risk is presented in everyday life

the best ways for risk to be explained

Understanding risk

Sometimes research evidence may not be clear about a particular risk or benefit. This is why you may receive different information from different healthcare professionals. It may be because of the situation in which your healthcare professional is working, their own personal experience, your personal situation or because the true risk is not known. Uncertainty exists.

Understanding risk can be difficult but it is helpful when you work in partnership with your healthcare professional.

Reference

Calman KC, Royston G. Personal paper: Risk language and dialects. British Medical Journal 1997;315:939-42.

When you are considering having a procedure, intervention or screening test for yourself or someone else, you need to know about the benefits and risks or any uncertainties to help you to make an informed decision.

How you view a risk depends on one or more of the following:

the chance of the event occurring (frequency)

the chance of a condition being detected by a screening test (detection rate)

the benefits of the treatment or screening

how much harm may be caused:

if it is life-threatening

if it is short-term (temporary) or long-term (permanent)

how much you feel in control of the decision

how much you trust the person discussing the risk with you

whether you feel you understand the situation sufficiently.

Some of these factors will be more important to you than others.

Healthcare professionals use research evidence to describe the chance of an event occurring in the context of an entire population. So your healthcare professional can tell you one woman in nine (1 in 9) will develop breast cancer. What they cannot tell you is whether the 'one' woman who develops breast cancer will be you.

If you have a screening test for a particular condition or disease, the results tell you if you are at 'high risk' or 'low risk' for that condition or disease. For example, if you are pregnant you will be routinely offered a screening test for Down syndrome. The results of this test will show if your unborn baby has a 'high risk' or a 'low risk' of having Down syndrome. A high-risk result does not mean that your unborn baby definitely has Down syndrome. It means that the risk of Down syndrome is more than 1 in 250 (of 250 pregnant women, more than one woman has an unborn baby with Down syndrome). In this situation, you would be offered a further test to find out if your unborn baby is one of the babies with Down syndrome.

Even if you have a low-risk result, there is a chance that your unborn baby may have Down syndrome but it may be helpful to know that the chance is small.

Risk can be given as numbers or words, or both. This table below shows how risk should be described in healthcare:

People's views of the descriptions of 'very rare' or 'common' regarding harm or satisfaction vary greatly concerning health care. Your concerns, anxieties and fears about the present and the future are very personal and may affect how you view risk. Some people find it is more useful to discuss risk using numbers or pictures rather than words.

Health risks are talked about every day - sometimes well, sometimes poorly.

Often it can be difficult to sort out the real facts of a matter. Take, for example, the confusion over the 1995 'pill scare'. Scientists reported that some oral contraceptives doubled the risk of thromboembolism (a blood clot) compared with other oral contraceptives. To say that something 'doubles' sounds a huge amount. What the initial report did not mention, however, was that the risks were only 1 in 6000 to start with - which is 'rare'. The new risk - 1 in 3000 (or 2 in 6000) - is still rare. In addition, the increased risk of death was only about one person in a million. The risk had not been put into context and a result there was panic in the media and among the public.

Sometimes percentages are used when the overall numbers are very small indeed. It is very important that the facts are explained in a meaningful way.

Good communication between you and your healthcare professional promotes a trusting relationship and brings greater satisfaction to you both. It also helps you to take more responsibility for decisions about your own health care.

When explaining risk healthcare professionals should:

involve you fully

give you the opportunity to have someone with you (such as a friend, partner or relative)

know and understand your circumstances and how this could affect you personally

describe the risk in different ways; for example, 'your risk of breast cancer is 1 in 9 or your chance of never getting breast cancer is 8 in 9'

give you correct and up-to-date information

give you information that is relevant to you

be honest, frank and open

speak clearly

have empathy

listen to your concerns

give you an opportunity to ask questions

give you time

provide sources of information such as leaflets or websites

check that you have fully understood

. . . and on your part, you should:

say if you don't understand

ask if you want information presented in a different way

say if you need more time.

Your healthcare professional may explain the information in a number of different ways, such as pictures, graphs and other tools to help you make a decision. These help to ensure a better understanding.

Sources and acknowledgements

This information has been developed by the RCOG Patient Information Committee. It is based on the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) Clinical Governance Advice No. 7, Presenting Information on Risk (December 2008). The clinical governance advice contains a full list of the sources of evidence we have used. You can find this online here.

This leaflet was reviewed before publication by women attending clinics in in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Surrey and by the RCOG Women's Network.

This patient information leaflet is based on the RCOG's Clinical Governance Advice Presenting Information on Risk, which contains a full list of the sources of evidence used to produce this guidance.

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Understanding how risk is discussed in health care - patient information leaflet

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This patient information provides advice on understanding how your healthcare professionals will discuss risk with you.

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One stop pregnancy information guide for South Asian mums

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Download our app for free, by clicking the links below. One stop pregnancy information guide for South Asian mums The JanamApp is trustworthy information at your fingertips for all your needs in pregnancy, labour and postnatal care including looking after your baby in the first few weeks of birth.

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Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are well

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Feeling your baby move is a sign that they are well

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Open link for easy read and translated information.

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If your healthcare team thinks that you are at risk of having a premature birth, they will offer you treatment to try and prevent it.

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Little Heartbeats Preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) information and support

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Little Heartbeats Preterm premature rupture of membrane (PPROM) information and support

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PPROM Information Packs for our Pregnant PPROM mums

Why do we send out our PPROM packs?

Mums expecting their babies where PPROM is involved want to know more about their condition

To ensure our mums to be are empowered to having the knowledge to discuss their pregnancy with the medical professionals

To have a comfort mascot to let them know they are not alone and regardless of their journey endings have their baby's heartbeat forever recorded or to record their song to remind them of their baby and a PPROM journal, the reason for this is to keep note of events on their PPROM journey. Relaxation Adult colouring book to help them relax and de-stress.

PPROM packs consist of;-

​

​

​Who is eligible: For all pregnant mums who have had PPROM confirmed

​ Please confirm the following:

1. Gestation you have PPROM at and if know your AFI / amniotic fluid levels.

How to order a free pack

Fill out the form below

Note; we need your full postage details via the form

We will confirm your details before sending

​

If you have not heard a reply after requesting a care pack do chase us up and check your spam box

​

Any issues please private message by our open Facebook page here:

Apply for a care pack here...

How to record on to the mascot

Make a donation

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This website was created with women and expectant families from Kent & Medway. Your maternity care is safest when you understand your choices and can make the right decisions for you and your baby. Bump, birth and beyond gives local, trusted information.

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Kent and Medway - Bump, Birth and Beyond

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This website was created with women and expectant families from Kent & Medway. Your maternity care is safest when you understand your choices and can make the right decisions for you and your baby. Bump, birth and beyond gives local, trusted information. Your local midwives and maternity team look forward to meeting you and answering any questions.

This website does not provide specific medical advice.

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Home :: Kent and Medway - Bump, Birth and Beyond

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This website was created with women and expectant families from Kent & Medway. Your maternity care is safest when you understand your choices and can make the right decisions for you and your baby. Bump, birth and beyond gives local, trusted information. Your local midwives and maternity team look forward to meeting you and answering any questions.

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Information about neonatal care. What to expect, what happens if your baby needs to be transferred and going home with baby.

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Parent Information - Neonatal Network South East

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It’s common these days for women to have a baby in their late thirties or forties. While most of these pregnancies are healthy, there are some things to bear in mind

Older women are more likely to develop gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia than younger women during pregnancy. And they’re also more likely to have diabetes or high blood pressure before they become pregnant. Because of this, older women have a higher risk of complications and problems during pregnancy

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It's common these days for women to have a baby in their late thirties or forties. While most of these pregnancies are healthy, there are some things to bear in mind

Older women are more likely to develop gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia than younger women during pregnancy. And they're also more likely to have diabetes or high blood pressure before they become pregnant. Because of this, older women have a higher risk of complications and problems during pregnancy

Sadly, the likelihood of having a stillborn baby is higher in older women, too. The reasons that this happens more often in pregnancies in older women aren't clear; some experts think that an older body is less able to support the pregnancy in the very final weeks

Artificially starting labour (called an induction) at the end of pregnancy, but before the baby is at risk, is recommended for some women. Although having induction does not increase the chance that a woman will need an emergency Caesarean section, more research studies are needed to show clearly that induction reduces the risk of having a stillbirth

Some hospitals offer an earlier induction to older women and women with certain medical conditions, such as gestational diabetes or raised blood pressure

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Older women have a higher risk of complications and problems during pregnancy - facts, advice and where to find more information

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Find information about NHS dentists and prescriptions while you are pregnant and for one year after.

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How to access information on help with NHS health costs in other languages

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Supporting you and your families across Wessex. Speak and translate service available.

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Sussex LMNS | Local Maternity & Neonatal System

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Your choices will be saved as a non-identifying cookie. This means that each time you load a webpage from this website, your chosen accessibility options will be applied. These cookies will last for 28 days before resetting. When text to speech is active, you can click the play button to hear the whole sites content read aloud.

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Group B Strep information in your own language - Group B Strep Support

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The information leaflet Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in pregnancy and newborn babies is now available in 14 languages in addition to English.

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Call your midwife or hospital maternity unit straight away if you think you are in early labour. It may be a false alarm, but it’s best to get checked out.

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It is important to remember that the information in this section is about what could potentially go wrong, but this doesn't mean it definitely will.

We believe in empowering women to understand what is happening within their bodies at this crucial time and to know when they need to ask for extra care.
If you have more questions, you can call our midwives between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday on Tommy's free PregnancyLine

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Tommy's - Is it serious? Pregnancy symptom checker

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It is important to remember that the information in this section is about what could potentially go wrong, but this doesn't mean it definitely will. We believe in empowering women to understand what is happening within their bodies at this crucial time and to know when they need to ask for extra care.

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Using straightforward language and simple illustrations to aid understanding, these infosheets on breastfeeding and bottle feeding are available in multiple languages and can be used to support parents with the basics of feeding and responding to their baby.

The infosheets are free to download and print, and are currently available in:
Please note: Following feedback, these translations were updated in 2019 to ensure the language used was as straightforward as possible.
The English versions of these resources are available below for reference:

Breastfeeding guidance: English (for reference)

Bottle feeding guidance: English (for reference)

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Foreign language resources - Baby Friendly Initiative

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These infosheets are available in multiple languages and can be used to support parents with feeding and responding to their baby.

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Published: June 2019

This information covers:

Your baby is surrounded by amniotic fluid or 'waters' contained within a membrane bag (the amniotic sac) inside your uterus.

When the waters break, it is also known as rupture of the membranes.

Normally your waters break shortly before or during labour.

If your waters break before labour at less than 37 weeks of pregnancy, this is known as preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM).

This can happen in up to 3 out of every 100 (3%) pregnant women.

PPROM is associated with 3-4 out of every 10 preterm births.

The reason why PPROM happens is not always known, but may be because of infections, placental problems or other causes.

Diagram showing a baby in the womb, marking the placenta, umbilical cord, amniotic sac and amniotic fluid:

You may notice a 'gush' of fluid or you may feel damp. The amount of fluid you lose may vary from a trickle to a gush.

If you think that you are leaking fluid from the vagina, wear a pad not a tampon and note the colour and amount of the fluid.

Leaking urine is common while you're pregnant, but if you think your waters may have broken, you should contact your healthcare professional and go to the hospital for a check-up straight away.

You will have a check-up that should include:

a discussion with your healthcare professional about what has happened, including details about the fluid loss, how you are feeling, how your pregnancy has been so far and whether you have any risk factors for PPROM or preterm birth (for example, if this has happened in previous pregnancies it is more likely to happen again)

a check of your general health, including an examination and a check of your temperature, pulse and blood pressure

a check of your baby's heartbeat.

PPROM is best diagnosed by a vaginal examination. With your consent, your healthcare professional will use a sterile speculum (an instrument used to separate the walls of the vagina) to look at your cervix and see whether the leaking fluid is amniotic fluid.

A swab test of the fluid may help to decide whether your waters have broken, if it is still unclear after the speculum examination.

An ultrasound scan to estimate the amount of fluid around your baby is sometimes helpful.

If your waters have broken, you will usually be advised to stay in hospital for a few days, although in some situations this may be for longer.

You and your baby will be closely monitored for signs of infection.

This will include having your temperature, blood pressure and pulse taken regularly, together with blood tests to check for infection.

Your baby's heart rate will also be monitored regularly.

If your waters have not broken, you should be able to go home.

If only a very small amount of amniotic fluid is leaking, it is not always easy to see on examination and it can be difficult to confirm whether your waters have broken.

If you continue to leak fluid at home, you should return to the hospital for a further check-up.

Infection

The membranes form a protective barrier around the baby, and after these have broken, there is a risk of infection getting into your uterus ( chorioamnionitis). If you have an infection, this can cause you to go into labour early or cause you or your baby to develop sepsis.

The symptoms of infection include a raised temperature, an unusual vaginal discharge with an unpleasant smell, a fast pulse rate and pain in your lower abdomen. Your baby's heart rate may also be faster than normal.

If there are signs that you have an infection, your baby may need to be born straight away to try to prevent both you and your baby becoming more unwell.

Preterm birth

About 50% of women with PPROM will go into labour within the first week after their waters break. The further along you are in your pregnancy the more likely you are to go into labour within 1 week of your waters breaking.

Problems of prematurity

Babies born prematurely have an increased risk of health problems, particularly with breathing, feeding and infection, and may need admission to a neonatal unit. The earlier your baby is born, the more likely that this will be the case.

If your waters have broken early, your healthcare professional will discuss with you the possible outcomes for your baby, depending on how many weeks pregnant you are when this happens and on your individual circumstances.

Other complications

Cord prolapse, when the umbilical cord falls through your cervix into the vagina: this is an emergency complication and can be life-threatening for your baby, but it is uncommon.

Pulmonary hypoplasia, when your baby's lungs fail to develop normally because of a lack of fluid around them: this is more common if your waters break very early on in pregnancy (less than 24 weeks) when your baby's lungs are still developing.

Placental abruption, when your placenta separates prematurely from your uterus: this can cause heavy bleeding and can be dangerous for both you and your baby.

If you experience PPROM, sometimes your baby may not survive. The risk of this happening is greater if your waters break very early, if the baby is born very prematurely or, in some cases, following infection or cord prolapse.

It is not possible to replace the fluid or repair the hole in the membranes around your baby. You may carry on leaking fluid for the rest of your pregnancy as amniotic fluid continues to be made.

However, treatment may be offered to reduce the risk to your baby. This could include:

a course of antibiotic tablets to reduce the risk of an infection getting into the uterus and affecting both you and your baby; antibiotics can also help to delay you going into labour

a course of steroid injections (corticosteroids) to help with your baby's development and to reduce the chance of problems caused by being born preterm; see the RCOG patient information Corticosteroids in pregnancy to reduce complications from being born prematurely

magnesium sulfate, a medication that may be offered to you if your baby is at risk of being born very prematurely; this can reduce the risk of them developing cerebral palsy

intravenous antibiotics (if you are in preterm labour) to reduce the risk of early-onset group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection; see the RCOG patient information Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in pregnancy and newborn babies.

You will usually be advised to stay in hospital for a few days after your waters break, to monitor both your and your baby's wellbeing. Your healthcare professional will discuss with you the option of going home after this time, if you are well and not considered to be at higher risk for giving birth early.

Before going home from hospital, your healthcare professional will give you information on symptoms to look out for. Contact your healthcare professional and return to the hospital immediately if you experience any of the following:

raised temperature

flu-like symptoms (feeling hot and shivery)

vaginal bleeding

if the leaking fluid becomes greenish or smelly

contractions or cramping pain

abdominal pain or back pain

if you are worried that the baby is not moving as normal.

You should have regular check-ups with your healthcare professional (usually one or two times per week).

During these check-ups, your baby's heart rate will be monitored, your temperature, pulse and blood pressure will be checked and you will have blood tests looking for signs of infection.

Your obstetrician will work with you to make an ongoing plan for your pregnancy.

Experiencing PPROM can be a very stressful time for both you and your family.

You should be offered emotional support during your pregnancy and after your baby is born.

If you are worried about how you are feeling, do seek help from your healthcare professional and support groups (see links below).

If you and your baby are both well with no signs of infection then you may be advised to wait until 37 weeks to give birth. This is because carrying on with the pregnancy reduces the risk to your baby that are related to being born preterm.

If you are known to carry the GBS bacteria, then you may be advised to give birth from 34 weeks because of the risk of GBS infection in your baby. See the RCOG patient information Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in pregnancy and newborn babies.

Your healthcare professional should discuss the timing of birth with you depending on your individual circumstances and preferences. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you have about your pregnancy and about preparing for birth.

It is often possible to have a vaginal birth after PPROM but this will depend on when you go into labour, the position your baby is lying in in your uterus, and your own individual circumstances and choices.

Your healthcare professional will discuss this with you.

Having PPROM or giving birth prematurely means that you are at an increased risk of having a preterm birth in any future pregnancies.

You will be advised to be under the care of a specialist team who will discuss with you a plan for your pregnancy depending on your individual situation.

The nature of gynaecological and obstetric care means that intimate examinations are often necessary.

We understand that for some people, particularly those who may have anxiety or who have experienced trauma, physical abuse or sexual abuse, such examinations can be very difficult.

If you feel uncomfortable, anxious or distressed at any time before, during or after an examination, please let your healthcare professional know.

If you find this difficult to talk about, you may communicate your feelings in writing.

Your healthcare professionals are there to help and they can offer alternative options and support for you.

Remember that you can always ask them to stop at any time and that you are entitled to ask for a chaperone to be present. You can also bring a friend or relative if you wish.

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This information is for you if you think that, or have been told that, your waters have broken early but you have not gone into labour. This applies to you if your waters may have broken between 24 and 37 completed weeks of pregnancy.

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Helpful Organisations

There are a wide range of organisations who provide tailored support for families of premature or sick babies.

LGBTQIA+ support

Find below organisations who provide support and advice, specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community:

Stonewall have some great information on parenting rights, including parental responsibility, family leave and pay, adopting, fostering, co-parenting, fertility treatment and surrogacy.

Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline provides a listening service for LGBT+ people over the phone, via email and online chat. It can provide you with contact details of an LGBT-friendly therapist.

Imaan is a charity that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) Muslims, providing an online forum where people can share experiences and ask for help.

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With over 90,000 babies born premature or sick and admitted to neonatal care every year in the UK, many families are touched by a neonatal experience. However, many LGBTQIA+ parents feel underrepresented in the neonatal support available.

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Groups for Parents and Carers - The Proud Trust

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Find groups and support for the parents and carers of LGBT+ Young People

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LGBT+ parents | Information and support on life as a parent | NCT

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Practical and emotional support with feeding your baby and general enquiries for parents, members and volunteers.

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BLISS Being involved in your baby's  care.

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BLISS Being involved in your baby's  care.

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Being involved in your baby’s care and procedures | Bliss

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Information on being involved in your baby’s care and procedures on the neonatal unit. Read about procedures in neonatal care, the role of parents in comfort and pain relief and working together with the neonatal care team.

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Sometimes preterm birth happens naturally without any reason, and sometimes your maternity and neonatal care team will recommend preterm birth for the health of you or your baby. About 8 out of 100 babies will be born prematurely.

Attend all antenatal appointments.

Ask for support to stop smoking or to support a family member who smokes near you. Smoking is a risk that, if stopped, can reduce your risk of a preterm delivery.

Explore the support that is available for you if you have relationship and family concerns regarding domestic abuse. Ask for support and advice about any alcohol use.

Ask for support to help manage a healthy weight gain for you, in pregnancy.

Discuss with your maternity and neonatal care team when you are feeling down. Research shows that stress and depression are linked with preterm birth.

Stop using any vaginal douches/washes or deodorants. They eliminate the vagina’s healthy bacteria, allowing infections such as bacterial vaginosis and thrush to set in. Alert your maternity care team if you have symptoms of vaginal infection, such as burning, itching, or abnormal, smelly or offensive discharge.

Ensure good mouth health. Research shows a link between poor mouth hygiene and preterm birth. Visits to the dentist are free in pregnancy and for one year after birth in the UK.

Alert your care team if you have any concerns, at any time, day or night.

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Smoking and pregnancy patient information leaflet | RCOG

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This patient information leaflet provides information about the effects of smoking during pregnancy and support available to help you to stop.

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This information is for you if you are pregnant or are planning to have a baby. It may also be helpful if you are a partner, relative or friend of someone who is pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

The information here aims to help you better understand your health and your options for treatment and care. Your healthcare team is there to support you in making decisions that are right for you. They can help by discussing your situation with you and answering your questions.

Information covered in this leaflet:

How drinking alcohol will affect your unborn baby

What fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) are

Information about breastfeeding

Further information and support available

See a full glossary of medical terms.
Key points

The safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all if you are pregnant, if you think you could become pregnant or if you are breastfeeding.

Although the risk of harm to the baby is low with small amounts of alcohol before becoming aware of the pregnancy, there is no 'safe' level of alcohol to drink when you are pregnant.

Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can affect the way your baby develops and grows in the uterus (womb), your baby's health at birth, and your child's long-term health.

Drinking heavily throughout pregnancy can result in your baby having severe physical and mental disability known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

It is important that you tell your healthcare professional(s) about your drinking so that appropriate support and information can be offered to you.

Support for you

There are a number of reasons why women might drink too much alcohol while they are pregnant:

they might not know they are pregnant

they might feel under pressure to drink when with friends

they might be trying to cope with problems and stress

they might not be aware of the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

If you would like to talk to someone about your drinking, you can speak to your midwife, obstetrician, practice nurse, GP or health visitor. Once they know how you are feeling and why you are drinking, the person you tell will be in a better position to offer you the right help and information.

It may be helpful to think about the questions below:

How much and how often have you been drinking?

Are you unable to remember what happened on an occasion when you were drinking?

Has your behaviour changed because of your drinking?

Has a relative, friend, work colleague, doctor or health worker expressed concern about your drinking?

You will be supported directly or given advice about where to find local counselling or support services available to you. See the Further information section below.

Further information

UK Chief Medical Officers' Low Risk Drinking Guidelines (Department of Health, 2016), which is available at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/alcohol-consumption-advice-on-low-risk-drinking
Drinkline is the national alcohol helpline: if you're worried about your own or someone else's drinking, you can call this free helpline, in complete confidence; call 0300123 1110 (weekdays 9 am to 8 pm, or weekends 11 am to 4 pm)

NOFAS-UK (National Organisation for Foetal Alcohol Syndrome-UK): www.nofas-uk.org

Sources and acknowledgements

This information has been developed by the RCOG Patient Information Committee. It is based on the UK Chief Medical Officers' Low Risk Drinking Guidelines (Department of Health, 2016), which is available at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/alcohol-consumption-advice-on-low-risk-drinking.

This leaflet was reviewed before publication by the RCOG Women's Network and by the RCOG Women's Voices Involvement Panel.

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Patient information leaflet on alcohol and pregnancy

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Being overweight, planning, pregnant or recently delivered.

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Being overweight, planning, pregnant or recently delivered.

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Published: November 2018
Updated: August 2022

This information is for you if you are overweight and are planning to become pregnant, expecting a baby or have recently given birth.

It may also be helpful if you are a partner, relative or friend of someone who is in this situation.

Most women who are overweight have a straightforward pregnancy and birth and have healthy babies. However, being overweight or obese does increase the risk of complications to both you and your baby. You and your healthcare professionals can work together to reduce some of these risks.

A glossary of medical terms is available on the RCOG website at A-Z of medical terms.

Key points

BMI (body mass index) calculation is a simple way to find out whether you are a healthy weight for your height. A BMI of 18.5-24.9 is considered healthy.

A BMI of 25 or above is associated with risks for you and your baby.

The higher your BMI, the greater the risks are.

Some of the risks with raised BMI include increased risk of thrombosis, gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, pre-eclampsia, induction of labour, caesarean birth, anaesthetic complications and wound infections.

A raised BMI also increases your risk of having a miscarriage, giving birth early, having a big baby or having a stillbirth.

Healthy eating and exercise can benefit you and your baby.

If your BMI is 30 or above, you are advised to take a higher dose of folic acid (5 mg per day).

Further information

RCOG patient information

Other sources

A full list of useful organisations (including the above) is available at Other sources of help.

Sources and acknowledgements

This information has been developed by the RCOG Patient Information Committee. It is based on the RCOG Green-top Guideline No. 72, Care of Women with Obesity in Pregnancy (published in November 2018), and the NICE guideline Weight Management Before, During and After Pregnancy (published in July 2010).

The guidelines contain a full list of the sources of evidence we have used.

This information has been reviewed before publication by women attending clinics in Manchester, Newcastle, London and Wrexham, by the RCOG Women's Network and by the RCOG Women's Voices Involvement Panel.

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Being overweight in pregnancy and after birth patient information leaflet

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This information is for you if you are overweight and are planning to become pregnant, expecting a baby or have recently given birth. It may also be helpful if you are a partner, relative or friend of someone who is in this situation.

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Tommy's information on illegal drug use in pregnancy

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Tommy's information on illegal drug use in pregnancy

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Illegal or recreational drugs and pregnancy

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If you have been taking illegal or recreational drugs before you became pregnant, it can be really tough to stop but help is available.

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

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

If you regularly use cocaine, heroin, or other similar drugs (opiates or opioids), do not stop or reduce the amount you take without speaking to a doctor first. It's important to withdraw from these drugs in the right way to reduce the risk of problems for you and your baby.

Getting help

If you use drugs, it's important to seek help straight away so you can get the right advice and support.

You can get help from:

They will not judge you and can help you access a wide range of other services, such as antenatal and family support.

You can also contact FRANK for friendly, confidential drugs advice, including information on the different types of help available.

The FRANK helpline is open every day, 24 hours a day on 0300 123 6600.

The mothers and babies charity Tommy's also has advice about illegal drug use in pregnancy.
Find out how to get help for drug addiction

What if I took drugs before I knew I was pregnant?

If you took a drug without realising you were pregnant on a one-off occasion, try not to worry - it's unlikely to have affected your baby.

But if illegal drugs are part of your life, getting help can really improve the outlook for you and your baby.

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Taking illegal or street drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and ecstasy when you're pregnant could harm your baby. Find out how to get support.

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With good advice based on evidence and links to specialist guidance, we're here to help you stay safer during pregnancy.

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My Prem Baby - a free app to support parents of premature babies

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My Prem Baby - a free app to support parents of premature babies

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My Prem Baby - a free app to support parents of premature babies

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For you and your premature baby, My Prem Baby is a free app from Tommy’s. It is a premature baby tracker for parents, from pregnancy to after the birth.

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Planning a pregnancy and having a baby are life-changing and exciting events. It can feel very new and maybe a bit daunting, but we have lots of information and support to help you

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#InThisWithYou: Advice for dads-to-be (Ben's story)

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NICE guideline [NG25]

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This guideline covers the care of women at increased risk of, or with symptoms and signs of, preterm labour (before 37 weeks), and women having a planned preterm birth. It aims to reduce the risks of preterm birth for the baby and describes treatments to prevent or delay early labour and birth.

In this guideline we use the terms 'woman' or 'mother' throughout. These should be taken to include people who do not identify as women but are pregnant or have given birth.

In June 2022, we made new recommendations on the use of repeat courses of maternal corticosteroids. For further details see update information.

Recommendations

This guideline includes new and updated recommendations on:

It also includes recommendations on:

Who is it for?

Healthcare professionals who care for women at increased risk of or with symptoms and signs of preterm labour and women having a planned preterm birth

Commissioners and providers of maternity services

Women at increased risk of or with symptoms and signs of preterm labour and women having a planned preterm birth, and their families and carers

Is this guideline up to date?

August 2022: We have checked this guideline and plan to update the recommendations on diagnosing preterm labour for women with intact membranes and timing of cord clamping for preterm babies. For more information see the surveillance decision. For progress on the update, see the guideline in development page.

Guideline development process
How we develop NICE guidelines
Your responsibility

The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them and their families and carers or guardian.

All problems (adverse events) related to a medicine or medical device used for treatment or in a procedure should be reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency using the Yellow Card Scheme.

Local commissioners and providers of healthcare have a responsibility to enable the guideline to be applied when individual professionals and people using services wish to use it. They should do so in the context of local and national priorities for funding and developing services, and in light of their duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, to advance equality of opportunity and to reduce health inequalities. Nothing in this guideline should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with complying with those duties.

Commissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of implementing NICE recommendations wherever possible.

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Overview | Preterm labour and birth | Guidance | NICE

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This guideline covers the care of women at increased risk of, or with symptoms and signs of, preterm labour (before 37 weeks), and women having a planned preterm birth. It aims to reduce the risks of preterm birth for the baby and describes treatments to prevent or delay early labour and birth

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This parent-facing leaflet provides information on expressing breastmilk and includes a helpful chart to record how expressing is going

The breastmilk you produce for your baby is unique. Research shows that the earlier you start and the more often you express, the more milk you will produce for your baby. This is really important, especially in the early days and weeks after birth.

Parents are invited to use this leaflet produced by Healthier Scotland and UNICEF UK to learn more about the value of breastmilk and kangaroo care (or skin-to-skin) for a preterm or unwell baby. It also includes detailed instructions on how to hand express, as well as important information on using a breast pump.

LEARN MORE

A workbook for neonatal nurses

Read more

Read more

Neonatal care resources

Read more

Read more

Neonatal National Infant Feeding Network

Read more

Read more

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Expressing milk for your baby on the neonatal unit - Baby Friendly Initiative

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This parent-facing leaflet provides information on expressing breastmilk and includes a helpful chart to record how expressing is going

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Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative | Hand expression

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Empowering women to live without violence & fear. Refuge is the largest domestic abuse organisation in the UK. Supporting thousands of women & their children overcome the physical, emotional, financial impacts of abuse.

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Find information about NHS dentists and prescriptions while you are pregnant and for one year after.

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How to access information on help with NHS health costs in other languages

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NHS England » Saving babies’ lives version three: a care bundle for reducing perinatal mortality

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The Saving babies’ lives care bundle provides evidence-based best practice for providers and commissioners of maternity care across England to reduce perinatal mortality.

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Find out about premature labour and birth (before 37 weeks of pregnancy), and what you might expect if it happens.