NHS delivers ‘all you need’ information booklet for new mums and families

The NHS in North West (NW) London are handing out new information booklet ‘After your baby’s birth’ to women when they leave hospital after giving birth.

The booklet which has been welcomed and supported by the National Childbirth Trust (NCT), was developed following feedback from mums, midwives and maternity specialists that the information currently being provided to women is inconsistent,  out of date and often poorly explained.  

Often when a woman leaves hospital, there is a lot of information given verbally or on poorly photocopied sheets of paper. This new booklet allows new mums to take home the expert advice in a clear form which they can read when it suits them. All content based on the latest evidence and research in maternity care and is set to be used nationally.

Mums and families will benefit though receiving:

• Access to all the key information needed after having a baby; including local contact numbers and information on mental health, newborn feeding and follow-up care for mum;
• clear, simple explanations for the common and concerning issues related to a woman’s physical health and wellbeing and that of her baby.

Pippa Nightingale, Chief Nurse, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “This booklet is the result of extensive and collaborative work across the maternity sector in NW London to limit the variation in quality of care and experiences for all women. We are really excited for mums and families to be receiving this booklet on their journey into parenthood.”

“Mums told us that the information they were receiving was inconsistent and often confusing. It’s important to us that they know that once they’ve given birth the high level of support from the NHS will remain the same. We hope that they will find the booklet informative, clear and reassuring during a wonderful and life-changing experience.”    

Elizabeth Duff, Senior Policy Adviser for the NCT said: “‘After your baby’s birth’ has some great stuff in it for parents’ early days. Our ‘Support Overdue’ report (2017) showed that the postnatal period can be difficult for many mums and dads. New mothers described being ‘on the receiving end of conflicting advice or information’ on things like feeding, caring for their baby, and caring for themselves.”

“This new booklet gives clear and helpful advice and we’re pleased to see it’s available in several languages. We also welcome the section on emotional and mental health which includes information on how to get help.”

A copy of the booklet can be found on the Healthier NW London website and is also available in Arabic and Guajarati with further translations to follow.

Over the next year we will be extending this great piece of work to provide women with information to help them while they are pregnant.

Stay up to date with all our work, and join us as we celebrate our midwives and the care that they deliver to all new mums this Mother’s Day (11 March). Find us on Twitter @Healthiernwl #Ilovebeingamidwifebecause and Facebook ‘NHS Stay Well’.