"A grand adventure is about to begin."  Winnie the Pooh

Becoming a parent changes your life completely. You may feel isolated: especially if this is your first baby, or if you have no family nearby, or you have just moved to the area. You are not alone! A sympathetic ear and someone to relate to can make so much difference and having friends with children of the same age makes life more fun for both you and your baby.

Click on the links on the right to find out about: NCT postnatal courses, our local bumps & babies groups, as well as breastfeeding support. (We warmly welcome NCT members and non-members to all groups.)

Feeling low after you have had a baby is not unusual. Women may experience:

• Baby blues – a sad, sometimes weepy, feeling lasting a few hours or days (half of all mothers feel like this)
• Postnatal depression – a state in which a mother feels tired and as though she is not coping; it is thought to affect some 10% of new mothers and is more common in women who have previously suffered from depression

If you are concerned that you or your partner are suffering from depression you may find the following links useful: 

• NCT Leaflet "Feelings after the birth of your baby" 
• NHS Choices website "Postnatal depression"

All women should have the opportunity if they wish to, to discuss their birth experience with a midwife to increase their understanding and promote psychological well being. Midwives can help women have a better understanding of their birth experience, and refer women for more specialised support if necessary. 

The Birth Reflections service is midwife led, and gives women and their partners a single discussion session with a midwife who will listen and give information about their birth experience. 

Ask your Midwife, Health Visitor or local surgery for more information.