Maternity matters – your experiences of postnatal care
What experiences and challenges there have been after the birth of your baby when you arrived home
We want to hear about your experience of health care services at home and in your community (including voluntary and community organisations, NHS community midwives and 0-6 healthy child team).
We also want to know what GP 6–8 week checks have been like after birth.
We want to engage with parents who have given birth in the last 18 months to share good practice and improve post-natal care in the community across North Yorkshire.
Why is postnatal care so important?
Care is important for women and their families post-birth to prevent maternal and infant deaths, for recovery - to prevent long term conditions and to ensure a healthy start for the child.
Healthcare checks conducted during the postnatal period are an important part of the continuous provision of personalised, respectful and sensitive care. and for ensuring healthy practices including infant feeding, detecting and preventing poor health, and identifying support needs for women experiencing mental health.
The importance of listening
Services need to listen to the experiences of a wide range of people to ensure that they are providing the best possible outcomes. If services do not listen to the feedback from people who have given birth they cannot offer a person-centred service which is designed for the people they support
What we want to achieve with postnatal care
- Increase awareness of the importance of care during postnatal period
- Increase understanding of what postnatal care services are available
- Share examples of good practice between the various NHS Trusts and service providers.
- Make recommendations for improving post-natal community care.
- Identify gaps in services and find out where these gaps are being filled by voluntary and community organisations and whether this is sustainable in the long term.
Report
Our survey has now closed. A report will be published in April 2024.
Have any questions about the project?
For more information, please contact us:
01423 788 128
Freepost HEALTHWATCHNORTHYORKSHIRE
Extra help
If you are in need of further support, there is some information below that you might find useful:
Health Visitors
You can contact the health visitors for support for anything to do with your baby/child and their development. Their number is 0300 303 0916 and is open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
Midwives
If you are still under the care of the community midwives in those early weeks they can be your first port of call before they discharge you to your GP.
GPs
Your GPs can help you with any medical concerns for either you or your baby. Your GP can also support you with your mental health if you feel like everything is a bit too overwhelming.
North Yorkshire Talking Therapies
This is a self-referral service for mental health issues and can provide you with talking therapy.
https://northyorkshiretalkingtherapies.co.uk/
National Breast Feeding Helpline
If you really need someone to talk to about breastfeeding give the NBH a call. Lines are open from 9.30am to 9.30pm 365 days a year. 0300 100 212 - https://www.nationalbreastfeedinghelpline.org.uk/
