The Antenatal Contact is provided to all parents to be, in addition to the offer of an Antenatal Visit, providing information on a range of topics around pregnancy.

Your feelings about your pregnancy

How did you feel when you found out you were pregnant?

Pregnancy test It is normal to have different feelings about pregnancy.

When you find out you're pregnant, you may feel happy and excited, or shocked, confused and upset. Everybody is different.

Some of this may be caused by changes in your hormone levels, which can make you feel more emotional:  What to do when you find out you're pregnant - NHS

If you're feeling anxious or worried it will help to talk to someone. Read about mental health in pregnancy:  Mental health problems and pregnancy - NHS

Sometimes your feelings about being pregnant maybe affected by previous pregnancy loss. You may find this information helpful: Baby loss information and support | Tommy's

Your family and friends

family and friends hugging How did your friends and family respond to your pregnancy, and what support do you have or feel you might need? 

Have a think about the importance of relationships in pregnancy and beyond: Relationships after having a baby - NHS

Changing family life and relationships

Thinking about your closest relationships, how do you think having a baby will affect these relationships?

Having a baby can change our relationships. For 7 ideas on how to reconnect with your partner after having a baby go to:  Seven ways to reconnect with your partner after having a baby - Relationship advice for new parents - BBC Tiny Happy People

Developed with the NHS, the DadPad is the essential guide for dads-to-be and new dads:  Home - DadPad | The Essential Guide for New Dads | Support Guide for New Dads - DadPad | The Essential Guide for New Dads | Support Guide for New Dads

Sometimes pregnancy can be a trigger for domestic abuse, here is some information on support that is available:  Homepage - National Domestic Abuse Helpline

 

Looking after yourself and your baby

pregnant womenWhat are you doing to look after yourself and your unborn baby?

It's a really good time to think about how you can look after yourself.

It's important whilst you're pregnant, but also when you have a new baby.

 

What should you eat?

How a mother eats during pregnancy can impact on the long term health and well-being of her child

Here you can find out about what good nutrition means for pregnant women.

Find out more about the Healthy Start and Best Start Foods schemes and find links to a number of other organisations and support groups:  Eating well in pregnancy - First Steps Nutrition Trust

Remember you may be able to get financial help when you're pregnant to help with the costs of food:  Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)

The NHS has information about healthy eating when pregnant:  Healthy eating in pregnancy - Best Start in Life - NHS

 

Do you know about vitamins in pregnancy? 

 

Can you exercise in pregnancy? 

 

What about smoking and alcohol in pregnancy? 

 

Pause and think about how you can look after your mental health in pregnancy:  Mental health and pregnancy - Best Start in Life - NHS

Your unborn baby

What have your learnt about your unborn baby so far? Has anyone talked to you about how you can begin to develop your baby's brain while you're pregnant?

baby ultrasoundHere are some ideas to help develop your baby's brain and language skills:  How babies develop brain connections, even before birth - BBC Tiny Happy People

It is important to talk and sing to your baby bump: 

You can massage your bump:  Massaging your baby bump - BBC Tiny Happy People

You can start to build your baby's brain and your bond with them before they are born:  Happy baby_leaflet

How babies develop brain connections, even before birth:  How babies develop brain connections, even before birth - BBC Tiny Happy People

Caring for your baby

How are you feeling about the practical aspects of having a baby?

For information on the early days and weeks of looking after your baby - coping with crying, understanding your baby, talking to your baby, play and understanding baby jargon see:  Tips and Advice - Newborn babies

To understand why cuddles for your new baby are so important:  The science of cuddling: Why cuddling is so great for babies - BBC Tiny Happy People

For information on bathing, washing and nail cutting:  Washing and bathing your baby - NHS

For information on sleep with a new baby:  Caring for your baby at night and when sleeping

Keeping baby safe when they sleep:  Safer sleep overview | The Lullaby Trust

Making nappy changing fun:  Changing baby's nappies: How to make nappy changes fun - BBC Tiny Happy People

 

What are your thoughts and feelings about feeding your baby?

For information about feeding your baby: 

 

Have you thought about things you could do to help you bond with your baby?

Ways to bond with your new baby:  Building a close relationship with your baby - Best Start in Life - NHS

Your circumstances and community

Mother and baby Are you worried about where you are going to live with your new baby?

Information about support with a new baby:  Help and support for new parents - Best Start in Life - NHS

For information about your health visitor and how they can support you:  Services and support for parents - NHS

 

Have you got any financial or housing stresses that could affect your early weeks with your new baby?

If money is a worry:  Help and support for new parents - Best Start in Life - NHS

How to get help buying food and vitamins: Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops.

You can use your card to buy:

  • plain liquid cow's milk
  • fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
  • fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
  • infant formula milk based on cow's milk

You can also use your card to collect:

  • Healthy Start vitamins - these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
  • Vitamin drops for babies and young children - these are suitable from birth to 4 years old.

Recent and past life events

Have you had difficult things happen in your life that you think might impact you as a parent?

For more information on mental health and trauma see:  Postnatal depression - NHS

Priorities, plans and support

What are your priorities and plans for the next few weeks and months with your new baby?

Some information on support with a new baby:  Services and support for parents - NHS

 

Who will support you?

Details of the Healthy Family Team support available for you and your family:  Healthy Family Teams | Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

 

What help can I get with childcare?

For more information on local services and information available in Nottinghamshire:  Your Notts Directory

Childcare step by step:  Get childcare: step by step - GOV.UK

Local services and support

What services and support could I need to help care for my baby?

Nottinghamshire Best Start Offer: Nottinghamshire's Best Start for life offer | Your Notts Directory

 

What services are available where I live?

For details about local antenatal groups, antenatal classes:

Family Hub antenatal sessions:  Pregnancy and new parents | Nottinghamshire County Council

Free and cheap food:  Food and food support

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