Homebirth Support Group

Facilitated by: Kate Clarke, NCT Antenatal Teacher and Mary O’Callaghan, Homebirth Lead Midwife

These workshops are suitable for anyone who has booked a homebirth or is interested in finding out more about home birth.

Dates (TBC). Themes as follows:

• I’d love a home birth but... fears and misconceptions about home birth and how to handle them.

• Why giving birth at home increases the chances of a straightforward labour - the importance of relaxation, support and familiar surroundings.
• The baby comes out where? How nature is smart and women can work with biology to help their babies be born.
•  I couldn't have done it without him. Birth partners and home births - how they can support, how they can hinder.
• You're so brave! How to cope with people who think home birth is a bad idea. All sessions to be held 10.30am – 12.30am.

To find out when the next workshop is and to book a place, please call the Maternity Call Centre on 020 7794 0500 ext 331314 (9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday)

Shared Experiences Helpline - 0300 330 0774

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9am – 3pm.

Speaking to someone else who understands what you are going through can be a lifeline. Our helpline is run by volunteers who have had challenging experiences of pregnancy, birth and parenthood and can provide a listening ear and support for you. Topics include early miscarriage, postnatal depression, bereavement, stillbirth, disability, behavioural problems, sleep issues, colic, health problems and pregnancy after infertility. All calls are welcome.

Breastfeeding Support in North West London

Breastfeeding has many health benefits to mother and baby, and every breastfeed makes a difference. Problems establishing breastfeeding or issues ocurring a few weeks in can usually be easily addressed or avoided by getting just a little advice and support to boost a mother's confidence and improve the position and latch of the baby. There are lots of ways you can access this help, so please don’t feel like you have to give up if it’s not going well. There is a lot of help and support from experts and peers out there.

Counselling

This NCT branch has three qualified breastfeeding counsellors who provide help and advice over the phone free of charge: Ruthie Pearlman (020 8455 4530), Sara Phillips (020 8458 5358) and Cordelia Uys ( 07770 325 579).

Should they not be available, NCT also provides a Breastfeeding Line (0300 330 0771) 8am–10pm, seven days a week so you can speak to a qualified breastfeeding counsellor on the phone.

Getting support in person

At present the North West London NCT does not offer face-to-face support at a breastfeeding drop-in. If you would like to meet other breastfeeding mothers and get some support in person, please see the list of drop-ins below. Many drop-ins offer help from peer supporters and health visitors (not all have a breastfeeding counsellor available).

We are currently in the process of applyiing for a grant to fund a new breastfeeding drop-in based at the existing Babies' Cafe at the Three Trees Children's Centre, Tiverton Road, NW10.

The drop-in would be free, open to anyone (members and non-members) and would be attended by both a qualified NCT Breastfeeding Counsellor and an IBCLC certified Lactation Consultant.

We would really appreciate any feedback about whether you would use this service and how you have found breastfeeding support in NW London (whether from the NCT, your health visitor, midwives or hospital). Unfortunately two grant applications in 2010 were unsuccessful. Alternative sources of funding are being sought.

Drop In Clinics and Baby Cafés

Please note that times and days are subject to change so please call ahead to check the session is running when you plan to attend.

NW1:

• Mondays 10.30am-12.30pm (not bank holidays). Contact: Helen Wright 0800 389 5789 (Freephone) Community Hall, Harmood Children's Centre 1 Forge Place, Ferdinand Street NW1 8DQ NW1: Wednesdays 1.00-3.00pm (Term time only) Contact: Sanghita: 020 7974 8934 SureStart Euston Baby Café Regents Park Children's Centre Augustus Street, NW1 3TJ
• Fridays 11.30am-1.30pm Maiden Lane baby feeding drop-in Maiden Lane community centre, St Paul’s Crescent, London NW1 9XZ.

NW2:

• Wednesdays 10.00-11.00am Contact: Annabella 07733 450108 Breastfeeding support in Gladstone Park at the Karmarama 2 café near the Anson Road/Kendal Road entrance. Support and advice on all aspects of breastfeeding and to meet other mothers
• Thursdays 10.00am-12.00pm Contact: Jean Waldman and Pippa Faulkes 020 8455 6188 Breast is Best Support Child’s Hill Clinic, Garth Rd, NW2 2NJ

NW3:

• Thursdays 10.30am-12.30pm Contact: Gospel Oak Heath Visiting Team 020 7530 4600 Bumps 2 One Fleet Road Community Centre The Old Laundrette, Fleet Road, NW3 2QL

NW5:

• Tuesdays 12.30-2.30pm Contact: Jane 020 7974 8961 Baby Feeding Project Drop-in Gospel Oak Baby Clinic Gospel Oak Health Centre, 5 Lismore Circus, NW5 4QF
• Fridays 9.30am-11.00am Contact: Sara 020 7530 4600 Gospel Oak Baby Clinic Gospel Oak Health Centre, 5 Lismore Circus, NW5 4QF

NW6:

• Wednesdays 1.30-3.30pm Contact: 020 7625 5115 Baby Feeding Clinic with UNICEF trained staff Kilburn Square Practice, 91 Kilburn Square, NW6 6PS
• Thursdays 11.00am-1.00pm (term time only) Contact: Carol Jones 020-7974 5083 Belsize Priory Health Centre, 208 Belsize Road, NW6 4DX

• Last Friday in the month from 10.00-11.00am Contact: 020 7624 8378 Breast Feeding Clinic, Abbey Community Centre, 222c Belsize Road, NW6 4DJ.

NW8:

• Tuesdays 1.30-3.30pm Contact: 020 7479 8767 Lisson Grove Health Centre, Gateforth Street, NW8 8EG relaxed and informal drop-in breastfeeding clinic led by a health professional

NW9 (Kingsbury):

• Thursdays 9.30-11.30am Contact: Sally Wasser: 020 8937 3890 Breastfeeding Café Church Lane Children’s Centre, Church Lane, NW9 8JD

NW10:

• Wednesdays 1:00pm-4:00pm Contact: 020 8459 4385 Babies Café Three Trees Children's Centre, Tiverton Road, NW10 3HL
• Wednesdays 10:00am. Contact: 020 8451 4180 Breastfeeding Peer Support Harmony Children's Centre (community room), 38 Bridge Road, NW10 9BX A chance to share your experience with other mothers who are breastfeeding advice/support from Health visitor.

Have we missed any Breastfeeding clinics or Baby Cafés in your area? Please let us know.

Breastfeeding Pumps

Available to hire. Contact Breast Pump Hire: Miriam Ollech 020 8455 1087