When you’re pregnant, your baby’s wellbeing is the most important consideration in any choices you make. But with new research and information published each week, it can be hard to keep up with current guidelines. I have compiled a list of national and online resources for pregnancy to help you find the information you need to have a happy, healthy pregnancy and make the best choices for you and your baby. Though there is some overlap, broadly speaking, pregnancy-related is at the top and postnatal is towards the bottom of the list.
Positive Birth Stories
Hundreds of positive birth stories to enjoy and you can add your own.
Tell me a good birth story
More positive birth stories, because you can’t have too many!
Homebirth
Information and resources for homebirth
Pregnancy Sickness Support
Information and support for women suffering from pregnancy sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum
NICE – National Institute for Health & Care Excellence
Evidence-based guidance for pregnancy and all other aspects of healthcare too.
Royal College of Midwives
Evidence-based practice from the midwives’ professional organisation.
AIMS – Association for Improvements in Maternity Services
Their FAQ page is particularly good.
WHO – World Health Organisation
International organisation with information about pregnancy.
Midwife thinking
Interesting blog sharing knowledge, evidence and views on midwifery and birth.
Doula UK
Leading organisation for Doulas in the UK, lots of information and a Doula directory.
Miscarriage Association
Support and information about miscarriage.
Effect of Drug Use
Effect of prescription, every day and illegal drugs on mum and baby
Spinning Babies
Practical exercises for improving your baby’s position, including turning breech babies.
The Pelvic Partnership
Practical advice for women suffering from Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction and/or pelvic pain.
WellMother
Information about pregnancy in pregnancy and postnatal period with an international directory.
Group B Strep Support
Preventing life-threatening GBS infection in newborn babies.
Ten Month Mamas
A Facebook page which supports and provides info for women 40 weeks+
Inducing Labour: Making Informed Decisions
Sara Wickham’s excellent book on the practicalities of induction and how to make decisions that are right for you and your baby.
Sara Wickham
Evidence-based articles on everything birth and pregnancy.
Understanding Risk
A free pdf from Doula Kim James, to explain what risk in childbirth is and a simple protocol to assess it.
On Membrane Sweeps
Here’s Sara Wickam explaining what a stretch and sweep is and this is Gloria Lemay on the same subject.
NHS Choices
Your Health Your Choices from the NHS.
Independent Midwife Association
Directory and information about independent midwives.
RCOG
Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RCOG)
BellyBelly
Pregnancy, birth and parenting for thinking men and women
Birth Rights
Protecting human rights in childbirth
Placenta Network
Placenta encapsulation information
Positive Birth Movement
Antenatal groups that celebrate positive birth
Birthing Without Fear
Great article on how to check dilation without an internal examination.
National breastfeeding helpline
Telephone support, 9.30am-9.30pm every day.
The Breastfeeding Network
Information about drugs, support and local group directory.
The Breastfeeding Companion
Tips and advice for struggling mothers
La Leche League
Breastfeeding support
Sling Pages
The yellow pages of the sling wearing world.
If you would like to find pregnancy, birth and postnatal experts in the Watford area (you’d be amazed by how well served we are!) then pop over to the local birth experts page. If there are services that you think are great, please add them in the comments.