Northern Trust keeps expectant mums informed

The new method of information delivery aims to help mums-to-be over the weeks and months leading up to the birth, with advice and information that can be easily accessed and at a time that suits them.

Every year approximately 4,500 babies are born in the Northern Trusts maternity units at Causeway and Antrim Area hospitals. In addition, a further 1,500 women receive antenatal and postnatal care in the community. The Trust believes women should have the opportunity to make informed decisions about their care and treatment, in partnership with their healthcare professionals. Information about maternity services, options and health promotion should be easily accessible and sensitive to the needs of the women, her partner and her family.

Brigid McKeown Lead Midwife at the Northern Trust said, “We know that pregnant women are busy people, trying to manage their normal day to day activities while planning for baby’s arrival.

“Following feedback from women this new type of information delivery has seen the antenatal classes restructured, two maternity DVD’s produced and a new section on the website developed.

“The antenatal classes will now be delivered in two sessions at nine locations which means that more women will be able to fit both classes into their busy lives and therefore not miss out on any of the information given.

“In addition two new DVD’ have been produced showing a tour of the maternity unit and options for pain relief. Community midwifes will distribute the DVDs and pregnant women will be able to watch them with their partner at a time that suits them and in the comfort of their own home.

“To support the antenatal classes and DVDs a webpage has been developed. The site provides advice to women if they are planning for or thinking about having a baby and then continues to guide them through their own pregnancy journey, from antenatal care, to labour and the postnatal period. There are also useful contact details and web links for additional information.

“The new website is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It will allow women to easily access information about the range of Maternity Services that the Trust provides and to highlight general information that will help them to have a healthy pregnancy, a safe labour and birth experience. The ‘Pregnancy’ website can be accessed at http://www.northerntrust.hscni.net/livewell/. We welcome your feedback using the electronic link.

“Using this new method of information delivery we will inform women and their partners about the Northern Trust Maternity Services, so they know what options are open to them locally. Access to information in various mediums will help women to be more fully involved in decisions about pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period and will help to make their experience a more enjoyable one.”