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The National Childbirth Trust East Cheshire Branch
Wilmslow, Poynton and Macclesfield
Winter 2012
Inside: Enjoying Winter Coffee Mornings Your questions about birth answered
© NCT Alexandra House, Oldham Terrace, London W3 6NH, Reg. Charity No. 801395
Pregnancy Yoga Dru Prenatal Yoga classes are different to any other type of yoga
class. By preparing your body and mind for the changes that it will
go through during pregnancy, labour and forwards to becoming a
mother.
Mondays 6-7:30pm Antenatal Clinic at the Hospital
Tuesdays 11:30-12:30pm & 7-8:30pm Macclesfield Library
Baby Yoga
Baby Yoga helps your baby to; improve digestion, settle babies
and improve their sleep, strengthen the physical body, improve
blood flow, tone muscles, enhance flexibility, stimulate senses and
is also a lot of fun!
Tuesdays 10-11am Macclesfield Library
Fridays 1-2pm Macclesfield Library
Contact Saffron for booking. Limited spaces
01625 432997
Contents
3
Disclaimer Any views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT) or the Editor. The information in this newsletter is intended for the use of NCT members only in connection with NCT activities and may not be used for any commercial purposes. The conditions of the Data Protection Act 1998 may apply. The appearance of an advertisement in this newsletter does not imply endorsement of the advertiser or its products and services by the NCT, nor does it constitute a recommendation. The NCT does not accept liability for any loss, injury or damage arising out of goods or services sold through any advertisement in this newsletter. Any discount offered to NCT members by any advertisement is done so entirely at the discretion of the advertiser. NCT will not compensate any member who is refused a discount from a third party. The National Childbirth Trust (HQ), Alexandra House, Oldham Terrace, Acton, London W36NH. Enquiry Line Tel: 0300 00770 Website: www.nct.org.uk Registered Charity Number
801395
Winter 2012
Regulars
Welcome from the Chair & Editor ............................ 4
Branch contacts ...................................................... 5
Branch news ........................................................... 6
NCT East Cheshire diary ....................................... 19
Breastfeeding support ........................................... 23
National NCT news ............................................... 29
National NCT contacts .......................................... 33
Advertising rates ................................................... 34
Features
Going out in the cold ............................................... 9
Ask our expert - birth ............................................. 13
Birth Story ............................................................. 16
Coffee Mornings .................................................... 24
Running the playgroup gauntlet ............................. 26
Cover photo
If you would like to send a photo for the cover of our
next edition (Spring) please e-mail
Welcome
4
Letter from the Chair
Hi, and welcome to
the Winter 2012 /
2013 newsletter. As I
type this I can’t
believe how close we
are to the end of
2012, this year seems
to have whizzed by!
The new year brings
with it new faces to the branch and I would
like to welcome our new committee
members Maria, Natalie (Newsletter Editors)
and Louise (Publicity Officer). I would also
like to thank our out-going newsletter editor
Lynn for all the hard work and the effort she
has put into the newsletter over the past few
years. I’m sure you will agree that the
newsletter is always a good read full of
interesting articles and this is all thanks to
her. Thanks also to Gemma who is hanging
up her shoes as publicity officer, she has
done a great job during her time with the
committee and we are very appreciative of
all her hard work. I would also like to thank
all of the committee members for all of their
hard work over what has been a busy year
for the branch. If it hadn’t been for their hard
work and determination we wouldn’t have
been able to achieve any of what we have
done, so thanks to each of them for being
brilliant!
Finally, I would like to wish each of you a
very merry Christmas and a happy new
year, enjoy the festivities and see you in
2013!
Emily
From the Editor
Wow, if you’d told me
only a couple of
months ago that I’d
soon be co-editing the
local NCT newsletter,
I’d have probably
laughed in your face!
Being a new mum to
my now 8-month old
son seemed such an all-consuming task that
the very idea of taking on a new
responsibility was quite beyond me.
However, I thought I’d go along to one of the
committee meetings to see what goes on...
and well, the rest is history! I certainly
couldn’t take this on alone though,
especially with such high standards to
maintain (as set by Lynn over the past three
years) and so I’m very much relieved to be
sharing the role with Natalie, who has made
editing this newsletter all the more
enjoyable. If you’ve ever thought of
volunteering for the NCT, but held back
through fears of the commitment, then
please let me personally reassure you that it
is not as scary as you might imagine and
everyone is so encouraging that even the
smallest contribution is warmly appreciated.
This Winter newsletter has been a steep
learning curve for Natalie and me, but we
hope you enjoy the fruits of our efforts. And
finally, please, please do help us out with
ideas for forthcoming editions as neither of
us gets enough sleep!! Thanks.
Maria
NCT East Cheshire Committee & Contacts
5
The persons listed below are all volunteers who currently run the East Cheshire branch committee. They will do their best to help you and answer any questions you may have.
Branch chairs Dipika Morgan & Emily Titley
Advertising, breastpump agent Dipika Morgan [email protected]
Bumps and Babies coordinator Sarah Ensor [email protected]
Events coordinator Victoria Jones
Maternity sales [email protected]
Membership coordinator Stacey Davies [email protected]
Nearly New Sales team [email protected]
Newsletter editor Maria Gray / Natalie Lane [email protected]
Parent support Sarah Ensor [email protected]
Postnatal leader Liz Fickling [email protected]
Publicity officer Louise Ball [email protected]
Treasurer Amanda Watmough [email protected]
Valley cushion agent, homebirth support, trainee antenatal teacher
Holly Platt Wells
Website coordinator Ellen Brown
Branch telephone 0844 243 6115 Option1: Local events and general enquiries Option2: Nearly New Sales Option3: Branch newsletter enquiries and advertising Option4: Membership secretary Option5: Bra / breast pump
Antenatal and Postnatal class bookings: Amanda 0844 243 6971 / [email protected]
Web: www.nct.org.uk/branches/east-cheshire
Friends of East Cheshire NCT (Facebook)
@eastcheshirenct (Twitter)
NCT East Cheshire News
6
Cheeky Monkeys Christmas Tea Party
Date: Saturday 1st December Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm Venue: Wilmslow Methodist Church, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AR Come along to our Cheeky Monkeys Christmas Tea Party, there will be face painting, music and movement & lots more.... Entrance £3 per child or £5 per family. Price includes lunch for all children up to 5 years old (adults and under 1’s free). Contact [email protected] or call 0844 243 6115 for more information.
NCT Early Days Postnatal Courses
NCT East Cheshire branch now has a fully qualified postnatal leader.
Liz Fickling has been studying for the University of Bedfordshire Diploma of
Higher Education Postnatal Group Facilitation and working to obtain her NCT
licence to practise, and has been running courses as a student for the past couple
of years.
She lives in Macclesfield with her husband and children, who range in age from 11
to 17.
Postnatal courses allow mums to meet others with young babies (normally up to 6
months old). They provide a safe, non-judgemental place where mums can share
their experiences, and the joys and challenges of being a parent, and discuss the
topics which are important to them. The topics are covered from the parent’s
perspective rather than the baby’s, which is different from most other postnatal
courses. The Postnatal Leader will not act as an expert or dispense advice, but
will help you decide what is best for your baby, yourself and your family.
NCT East Cheshire News
7
Subjects covered may include:
The difference between expectations and the reality of parenthood
Skills for being a mother
Daily patterns
Returning to work, or not
The change in your relationship with your partner and the wider family
All mums are very welcome, whether it’s your first or subsequent baby.
Date: 16/01/13 - 06/02/13
Venue: Dean Row Village Hall, Wilmslow
A 10 hour course of 4 Wednesday morning
sessions.
For further details and to book a place please
contact Amanda on 0844 243 6971 or e-mail
Details of further courses can be found on the NCT
website.
Farewell to Annie Brown, Breastfeeding Counsellor
Annie Brown, breastfeeding counsellor, bids a very sad farewell to East Cheshire.
Annie's husband was made redundant earlier in 2012 and the family relocated to
Cambridgeshire over the summer to be near his new job.
'It was a very rushed move in the end, and I feel as though I didn't really take time
to make proper NCT farewells. I was involved with the East Cheshire branch since
we moved to the area in the summer of 2001, and made many good friends. I felt
really privileged to eventually finish my training as a breastfeeding counsellor and
was really enjoying getting to grips with leading antenatal sessions, as well as
working on the helpline and volunteering at the Cherubs peer support group.
NCT East Cheshire News
8
I have taken time out from the NCT to focus on getting the family settled before I
pick up the reins again down here. East Cheshire are really fortunate to have so
many dedicated volunteers from different organisations committed to promoting
and protecting breastfeeding and as individuals you do brilliant promotion and
support work the whole time. Thank you to everyone who supported me during my
training, thank you to all the lovely couples I've met for letting me cuddle their
newborns - and for letting me practice on you - and for all the super feedback I've
received that has really helped evolve my knowledge and experience."
Coming soon...
A number of branch members are
discussing starting both a book
club and a pudding club. Please
get in touch if you would be interested in getting involved.
We will include more information in the next newsletter.
Big Yellow FREE storage further supporting NCT Nearly New Sales
It’s been a successful year since the East Cheshire Branch of the NCT was given
free storage at their local Big Yellow store in Stockport. Stock for our Nearly New
Sales is totally secure (every room is alarmed) and pin code entry gives us easy
access whenever we need, allowing the charity to focus more of its time and
resources on providing more activities for parents in the community.
Announcing the success of the first year of this local deal, Dipika
(Branch co-chair) said: ‘The staff are always useful and friendly,
and our space is easy to access.’
NCT members just quote ‘NCT’ either in store or at
bigyellow.co.uk to get an extra 10% off your storage
Going out in the cold
9
Our delightful 16 month old son has
developed the heart warming habit of
handing me his hat and coat just
before sitting by the door trying to put
his shoes on. I love how much he
enjoys being outside and it can be
quite comical at 6am, while he is also
wearing pyjamas. Sadly though he is
deadly serious about going out
whatever the weather is like. This has
all got my mind racing forward to the
upcoming months, the prospect of
snow and low temperatures. I have
no intention of hibernating so instead
find below tips and ideas on
embracing outdoor fun over winter.
Preparing to go out
Fuel up.
Make sure everyone is well fed,
watered and (for those wearing
them) in a clean, dry nappy.
If you are going out for a while
pack a flask of hot chocolate,
hot milk, or warming soup.
Wrap up.
Wear layers. Little ones on the
move should wear at least one
layer more than you. Younger,
more stationary, children may
benefit from a blanket to.
Leave your slippers and a
jumper/blanket on a radiator so
they’re toasty when you return.
Put a thick pair of your own
socks over the socks of your
little one and pull them up over
their outfit, before putting them
in their coat/snow suit. Little
toes can get icy cold very
quickly.
If dribble and/or snot is an issue
(as it usually is in our house!)
then remember that icy winds
can make skin sore. Try to
keep skin as dry as possible
with a soft muslin and a bit of
Vaseline can be applied before
leaving the house as a
precaution.
Going out in the cold
10
Long gloves for Mum (or
anyone pushing a pram or likely
to be handing out snacks).
Ideally gloves with cut off
fingers and a flap that can be
pulled over.
Several companies make
gloves that attach to the
handles of your pram. This can
be a good idea if you are likely
to have to keep taking them off
and don’t want to lose them.
Top tip – keep little hands warm
in wet conditions or when
playing in snow by fastening a
freezer bag over gloves with a
hair bobble.
Keep dry! All-in-one snow suits
or puddle suits allow children to
keep warm while splashing in
puddles, and rolling in snow or
damp ground.
Mittens can be much warmer
than gloves and are much,
much easier to put on.
Tuck vests and t-shirts in. Keep
those middles warm.
Remember that a sling counts
as an extra layer for a baby. I
used to wear my son in our sling
inside one of my husband’s
fleeces on particularly blowy
days.
Make sure heads and ears are
covered. Hats with flaps are a
good way to keep ears warm.
Fun things to do once outside
There are a lot of fun activities out
there for us to do should we be lucky
enough to get a good snow fall
including;
Snow Hurdles –
Lightly pack a bunch of football-sized
snowballs and then use them to build
a course of hurdles to jump over in a
round of follow the leader.
Hat Trick –
Once you've built a plump, frosty
snowman in your garden or the park,
make a game out of putting his hat
on. Take turns trying to land a hat on
his head by throwing it Frisbee style
from a given line. Different ages may
Going out in the cold
11
need different lines. Who can dress
him from furthest away?
Snow painting –
Make snow paint. Simply add food
colouring to water and put in a spray
bottle, then go out and paint your
garden!
Obviously there is a decent chance
that we won’t get piles of snow to play
in. Should this happen it shouldn’t
hold us back from having fun outside.
Here are some non-snowy ideas;
Bird watching/feeding –
Feed the birds or go birdwatching.
Make your own birdfeeders out of
pine cones, peanut butter, and
birdseed.
Go on a winter picnic –
Take blankets, sandwiches and hot
soup in a thermos. If the weather
makes this really unappealing, have
your picnic inside.
Paint chart walk –
Collect a colour chart from your local
DIY store. Go on a walk and try to
find something in the wild that
matches each colour. Take a photo
or draw a picture of each thing, or just
put a tick next to each colour as you
go along.
Mini beast garden –
Encourage young people to collect wood and leaves from the forest and make their own 'mini beast' area in the garden. By piling the wood and leaf mould on top of each other, they'll be offering a wide range of insects a new home the following spring. Bug hunting and identification can be your spring activity!
Treating yourselves when back indoors
Make sure you remove outdoor
clothing. Take hats off children
to stop them getting too hot.
Have something warm to eat or
drink. Time for a hot chocolate!
Make snowflakes to eat – Ingredients:
• Flour Tortillas
• Oil
• Icing sugar
Warm the tortillas slightly in the
microwave so you can fold them. Next
fold the tortilla into half, then half
again. Cut out designs just as you
would if you were making a paper
snowflake.
Put a small amount of oil into a frying
pan. Fry the tortilla in hot oil until
crisp. (About 30 seconds on each
side.) Pat with a paper towel to
absorb any excess oil. Sprinkle with
icing sugar.
When responding to an advert please remember to mention where you saw it
Ask our expert - Birth
13
Our ante-natal class teacher, Holly
Platt-Wells, answers your
questions about birth.
What is a Tens Machine, would
you recommend one?
Tens stands for Transcutaneous
Electrical Nerve Stimulation and it
produces small electrical pulses
through pads on the back to disrupt
pain signals from the uterus.
Whether you want to use one will
be entirely personal. Some women
find them very effective and
give birth using simply Tens.
Other women try them and
dislike the sensation. Some
women feel the distraction of
using the boost button
through contractions is the
most helpful aspect of Tens
and other women have
commented that they thought
the Tens was doing nothing
but found it had been very
effective when they took it off.
Tens can be bought or hired.
Macclesfield hospital hire
Tens machines and the
profits are used go to the
maternity department. Ask
your midwife if you want to hire one
from Macclesfield hospital.
If you do decide you want to use
Tens it is worthwhile practising
placing the pads and familiarising
yourself with the controls before
labour. Tens machines work best
the earlier you start using them as
the effect is cumulative.
I’m worried my partner will find
the birth stressful and may not
be able to support me the way I
need him to. Any ideas on how
we can overcome this?
Many partners find birth
unexpectedly stressful and
others, who thought they would
find it stressful, are fine. One
thing that you can do is have an
additional birth partner to
support you both. Often women
choose a woman they are close
to, who has given birth herself,
such as a mother, sister or
friend. There are also
professional birth supporters,
the NCT offer a birth supporter
service and there are Doulas
available in most areas of the
UK.
You need to choose whoever
suits you as a couple and will
support you both. Your additional
supporters role, particularly
Ask our expert - Birth
14
professional birth supports, is to
help you partner support you and
provide back up if you partner
needs a break, as well as
advocating your wishes to your
maternity professionals.
What should I do if I go into
labour when away from home i.e.
on holiday?
If you plan to go away in late
pregnancy this is definitely the time
to take your notes and anything
you might need for the birth and
baby, including a car seat. You
may also want to investigate where
the local maternity unit is and how
you would get there.
It is relatively unusual to go into
labour whilst away on holiday.
Women who come close have
often felt a need to go home before
labour starts. If you find you want to
cut a holiday short in late
pregnancy, listen to yourself.
What can I do to ease labour
pain without drugs?
There are many, many ways to
make labour as easy as possible.
Strangely, the most effective is
probably to plan a homebirth. The
hormones that drive labour are
essentially shy and work most
efficiently when you feel secure.
For many women, like many
animals, our own space is where
we will
have the
quickest,
easiest
labour.
Anything
that
supports
the hormones of labour will make it
easier. Privacy, low lighting, water,
massage, relaxing, breathing and
hypnosis all help the hormones of
labour work and your endorphins to
adjust your perception of labour.
Drug free labour is not for every
woman and pharmaceutical pain-
relief is always there if you need it
but it is possible to give birth
without drugs when the
circumstances are right.
What is labour pain like? How
do I know if I can cope with it?
You probably haven’t found anyone
who can really answer this. That’s
because it is as individual as you
are. Women experience anything
Ask our expert - Birth
15
from orgasmic surges to waves of
pressure in their abdomen, thighs,
bottom, shoulders or even head to
intense waves of period pain to
intractable backache and agony.
Where any woman is on the
spectrum will depend on her
preparation before labour, the
circumstances of her labour and
the efficiency her hormones.
You can prepare by reading
positive birth stories, learning about
how labour works and what you
can do to help yourself. NCT
antenatal classes, antenatal yoga
and hypnosis really help many
women.
Take control of the circumstances
of your labour as far as you can.
Understand interventions that are
offered to you before you consent,
investigate homebirth and whether
it would suit you and look at what
options you may have in labour
however it turns out.
Labour is something most of us can
cope with if we are given a chance.
We were born to have babies and
are generally very good at it. You
can’t know if you’ll cope
beforehand but it is likely that until
a generation ago every single one
of your female ancestors did.
Birth Story
16
Emily Titley – East Cheshire Branch
The most important thing is that we have a healthy, happy and
absolutely gorgeous new addition to our now complete family.
When I found out I was expecting
my second baby my thoughts
immediately turned to the labour
and delivery. The birth of my little
boy in September 2009 had been
traumatic and it had taken me a
long time to recover from the
whole experience, both
emotionally and physically. I
really didn’t want a repeat
performance, especially as this
time I would have a toddler to
look after as well as new-born
baby. Although I had a few
wobbles I was, on the whole,
positive about the whole thing
and after several discussions
with my consultant and the
Supervisor of Midwives I decided
to go for a natural birth.
My due date came and went and
despite a couple of false alarms I
was admitted into hospital on the
evening of July 1st to be induced.
The midwife wasn’t able to break
my waters so she inserted a
hormone gel into my cervix to
help kick start contractions. It
was 11 o’clock at night, so my
husband Mark was sent home
and I was given a couple of co-
codamol and told to try and get
some sleep. I had started to have
what I thought were contractions
as soon as the gel had been
applied but the midwife said they
were just tightenings so I ignored
them tried to get some sleep.
Over the next few hours the
tightenings started to get more
intense and I started having to
breathe through them. At about
5am, when they were coming
every 5 minutes and lasting for
about a minute I asked if Mark
could come back to the hospital.
As he wouldn’t be allowed on the
ward until visiting hours started at
8am the midwives advised me to
have a bath to help with the
discomfort. Apparently the gel
can make the contractions seem
stronger than they actually are.
When I was in the bath I was
starting to feel pressure (like I
needed to do a poo) with each
contraction, I mentioned this to
the midwife and she joked that I
should only worry if I saw a head
pop out.
Birth Story
17
At about 5.45am something
inside me told me to get out of
the bath, the contractions were
getting really quite painful and
I was convinced that I must be
at least 4cm dilated. I asked if
I could be moved to a room of
my own as I was starting to
make quite a lot of noise and
didn’t want to wake the other
ladies on my ward. While I was
waiting to be moved I called
Mark and told him to make his
way to the hospital because
things were starting to happen.
The midwife moved me to the
admissions ward so that she
could examine me and confirm
I was in established labour
before moving me to my own
room. The ward was totally
empty and I had barely been on
the bed for a minute when I
started to have a real urge to
push. I shouted for help and after
what seemed like a lifetime the
midwife came in to examine me, I
think she was as shocked as me
when she discovered that I was
10cm dilated. I was asked if I
thought I could make it to the
delivery room, knowing that was
where the gas and air was I
readily agreed.
Once I was on the bed in the
delivery room I really started to
panic. I had gone from not being
sure if I was in labour to being
fully dilated and ready to push a
baby out in less than 10 minutes.
I remember that all I wanted to
do was run for the hills and
pretend that this wasn’t
happening, but that really wasn’t
an option, the baby was coming
whether I liked it or not. The
midwives were absolutely
amazing, they really calmed me
down and helped me to stop
focussing on the pain. In all the
madness someone managed to
get hold of Mark, but he was just
leaving the house in Wilmslow so
Birth Story
18
was at least 15 minutes away, I
just knew that he was going to
miss the whole thing. The
midwife said that I could try and
breathe through the contractions
until he arrived but as soon as
the first one came I knew that I
wasn’t able to do that, the urge to
push was just too much. The
midwives talked me through the
whole thing and after only three
pushes Lilija Elizabeth Titley was
born. She arrived at 6.20am and
her daddy arrived at 6.35am. I
spent the rest of the day in
hospital and we were eventually
discharged that evening. It was
so nice to be able to spend Lily’s
first night in the world at our own
house rather than in hospital.
I suppose I look back on my birth
as rather bitter sweet. On the one
hand I am very sad that Mark
wasn’t at the birth of our
daughter, especially given our
experience last time and the fact
that we are not planning on
having anymore children.
However, I really couldn’t have
asked for a better labour and
delivery. In total it lasted less
than 7 hours and my contractions
weren’t that painful at all. The
pushing stage was also very
quick and my recovery after the
birth was nothing compared to
last time. The one thing I do
regret is not following my gut
instinct more. I had a feeling I
was in established labour and
that things were progressing
more quickly than the midwives
thought but instead of insisting
on being examined I ignored
what my body was trying to tell
me until it was almost too late.
However, above all else, the
most important thing is that we
have a healthy, happy and
absolutely gorgeous new addition
to our now complete family.
Diary
19
Regular Events
Bumps & Babies
Come and join us at one of our Bumps,
Babies & Toddlers groups. No need to
be a member!
Fun4All Queens Avenue, Macclesfield, SK10 2DG
Wednesdays during term time
10am – 12 noon
Free entry for children under 3 with our
group. Normal Fun4All admission
charges apply for children over 3.
Coffee Lounge Wilmslow Methodist Church
Kings Close, Water Lane, Wilmslow, SK9 5AR
Fridays during term time
10.30am – 12 noon
Refreshments are served for a small
charge and there is a nice little play area
for older babies.
JJ’s Sensory Play
Snape Road, Macclesfield, SK10 2NZ, 01625 667872
Tuesdays during term time
1.30 – 3.30pm
This group is aimed at bumps and pre-
walking babies but all are welcome.
Pregnant ladies and the first
accompanying adult enter free, babies
under 3 months 50p and all other
children £1 each.
Coffee Mornings
Coffee mornings or afternoons are
organised at members’ houses most
weeks (usually on a Monday). If you’d
like to join us please give the host a call
to check details and to
find out the address. If
you’d like to host a coffee
morning please let us
know.
Antenatal & Postnatal Classes
NCT antenatal classes help parents-to-
be prepare for birth and early
parenthood. Sessions for first-time
parents are held in Macclesfield,
Tytherington and Wilmslow.
The contact details for anybody wishing
to book courses are:
0844 243 6971
Coming up... Cheeky Monkeys Xmas Tea Party
Sat 1st Dec 11:00am – 1:00pm Wilmslow Methodist Church
Bumps in the Pub Date TBC – info on Facebook!
Baby First Aid Course
March 2013 (date TBC)
Wilmslow Methodist Church
Nearly New Sale
Sat 2nd March, 11am – 1pm
(non-members admission: 11.15)
Macclesfield Academy
Diary
20
December 2012
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
3rd
Ellen’s coffee
morning
10am – 12pm
Macclesfield
07726998000
4th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
5th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am – 12pm
6th 7th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 11:30pm
10th
Dipika’s coffee
morning
10am - 12pm
Macclesfield
07766716638
11th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
12th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am – 12pm
13th 14
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 11:30pm
17th
Stacey’s coffee
morning
10am - 12pm
Macclesfield
07717764968
18th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
19th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am – 12pm
20th 21
st
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 11:30pm
24th
25th
26th
27th
28th
This information is accurate at the time of printing. For up to date information please check the Friends of East Cheshire NCT Facebook page
Diary
21
January 2013
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
7th
Emily’s coffee
morning
10am - 12pm
Wilmslow
07843693582
8th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
9th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am - 12pm
10th 11
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 11:30pm
14th
Amanda’s coffee
morning
9:30 – 11:30am
Wilmslow
07713629752
15th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
16th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am - 12pm
17th 18
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 11:30pm
21st
Stacey’s coffee
morning
10am - 12pm
Macclesfield
07717764968
22nd
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
23rd
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am - 12pm
24th 25
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 11:30pm
28th
Dipika’s coffee
morning
10am - 12pm
Macclesfield
07766716638
29th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
30th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am - 12pm
31st
This information is accurate at the time of printing. For up to date information please check the Friends of East Cheshire NCT Facebook page
Diary
22
February 2013
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
1st
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 11:30pm
4th
Ellen’s coffee
morning
10am – 12pm
Macclesfield
07726998000
5th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
6th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am – 12pm
7th 8
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 11:30pm
11th
Stacey’s coffee
morning
10am - 12pm
Macclesfield
07717764968
12th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
13th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am – 12pm
14th 15
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 11:30pm
18th
19th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
20th
No BBT
HALF TERM
21st 22
nd
No BBT
HALF TERM
25th
Sarah’s coffee
morning
10am - 12pm
Macclesfield
07773415992
26th
Bumps and
babies
JJ’s Sensory
Play
Macclesfield
1:30pm –3:30pm
27th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Fun4All
Macclesfield
10am – 12pm
28th 29
th
Bumps, babies
and toddlers
Wilmslow
Methodist Church
10am – 11:30pm
This information is accurate at the time of printing. For up to date information please check the Friends of East Cheshire NCT Facebook page
Breastfeeding Support
23
Wilmslow Bosom Buddies Oakenclough Children‘s Centre, Colshaw Drive, Wilmslow Tel. Rosie Gay 07961 614882 Weekly group run by peer supporters and a volunteer health visitor. Ring Rosie for current dates and times. Bollington Bosom Buddies [email protected] Tel. Sara 01625 576517, Francesca 01625 261253 Unfortunately, due to venue issues this weekly support group is not currently running. However, breastfeeding counsellors Sara and Francesca continue to offer telephone support and a monthly La Leche League coffee meeting is held in Bollington. Please call Francesca for details. Macclesfield Cherubs Breastfeeding Support Group
Thursdays 10 – 11.30am Ash Grove Children’s Centre, Ash Grove, Macclesfield, SK11 7TD Tel. 01625 374484
Cherubs Breastfeeding Support Group Wednesdays 12 noon – 1.30pm Hurdsfield Children's Centre, Hulley Road, Macclesfield, SK10 2LW Tel. 01625 378 081
Weekly support groups run by health visitors, midwives and breastfeeding peer supporters. Poynton Breastfeeding Support Drop In
Wednesdays, 11am – 12 noon Poynton Children’s Centre, Clumber Road, Poynton, SK12 1NW Tel. 01625 383 090
If you are aware of any changes that have been made to these groups please let us know so we can update our information ([email protected])
NCT Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 330 0771 8am–10pm, seven days a week Call our Breastfeeding Line to talk to a qualified breastfeeding counsellor for information and support to help you breastfeed successfully. We can also help if you are using formula or want to switch from formula to breastfeeding or breastfeeding to formula. Other support networks National Breastfeeding Helpline 0300 100 0212 La Leche League 0845 120 2918
NCT Coffee Mornings
24
Why not join us for a cuppa?
With the winter weather now upon us, NCT coffee mornings (or afternoons) provide the
perfect opportunity to get out of the house, to make new friends, and to eat cake! They
are hosted by volunteers in their own homes and are a great way to meet other parents
and parents to be. You do not need to be an NCT member to attend or to host a coffee
morning – ALL are welcome. Please see the Diary pages for a list of our coffee dates
and contact details of the hosts. If you would like more information or are interested in
hosting a coffee morning, please contact [email protected]
Meet our coffee hosts:
Hello. I'm Sarah, mum to Nathan (2 1/2) and expecting a second child in
January. We've lived in Macclesfield for about 18 months and you may
have met us at Fun4All on a Wednesday. Nathan loves making biscuits
for coffee mornings so please feel free to come and help us eat them!
I’m Ellen, mum to Abigail (6) and Jervis (2). I’ve been hosting NCT
coffee mornings for just over a year. It’s great to see the toddlers
sharing their toys and even the smallest of babies enjoy watching the
older children play, leaving parents to do plenty of chatting.
I'm Stacey, stay at home mum to four boys aged 5, 2, and 5 month old
twins and we live in Tytherington. I've been involved with our branch for
over 3 years and in my previous child free life I was a P.A. in corporate
finance.
Hi, I'm Amanda, mum to Jared (3) and Eric (1). I've been involved in the
branch for about 3 years, doing the accounts. I live near town in Macc
so very central for anyone who wants to pop in.
Hi there, my name is Emily and I live in Wilmslow with my lovely
husband Mark, crazy 3 year old son Charlie and very cute 4 month old
daughter Lily. It would be lovely to meet you at one of my coffee
mornings, so please don't be shy as you're always welcome.
Hi, I'm Dip, mum to Yasmin (5) and Sureya (2 1/2). I've been involved
with the branch for around 4 years. Please come and join us at a coffee
morning/afternoon as Sureya is always wanting to meet new friends to
boss around, sorry that should be play with!
Running the playgroup gauntlet
26
Running the gauntlet by Liz
Tunbridge (Wantage, Grove &
Villages branch)
Picture the scene: it’s your first day at
school. You got up much earlier than
necessary in order to make sure that
you are ready and that everything is
perfect. You nervously make your
way to the gates. You wonder: do I fit
in? Am I wearing the right clothes?
What if no-one talks to me and I am
left in the corner of the playground on
my own? You go through the gates
and find your worst nightmares
realised: everyone else seems to
have made friends already
and have clustered together
in groups, laughing together
as if they have known each
other for years. You smile at
them but they don’t notice
you. You have never felt so
alone. Nevertheless, you
look down at your daughter and give
her a kiss, telling her that you know
she will have fun, and watch as she
skips happily into the classroom,
oblivious to your fear. You leave
immediately, having spoken to no-one
and dreading having to go through it
all again tomorrow. Welcome to the
world of playground cliques.
In my working life I am confident,
articulate (occasionally) and
opinionated (always), and yet there is
something about walking into a room
full of parents that I don’t know that
transports me right back to primary
school and turns me into a nervous
wreck. However, this time the stakes
are higher: the divisive issues are no
longer whether ponytails are cooler
than pigtails, but rather who is a
‘good’ parent and, by inference, who
is not.
Parent and child groups should
provide a valuable source of support
through the emotional and sometimes
turbulent experience of adjusting to
parenthood, as well as
providing the opportunity to
meet (and sympathise) with
others in the same boat.
However, at their worst they
can undermine confidence
and make new parents feel
even more isolated.
It turns out that I am not alone in
findings groups of parents
intimidating. Dr Sue Jones, of the
School for Policy Studies at the
University of Bristol, agrees that this is
a common fear. “Going to a new
group on your own is a scary
experience. You don’t know what lies
ahead of you: a warm welcome and
lifelong friends or 90 minutes of sitting
alone feeling like a lemon.” She
surveyed parents and found that key
social factors were the main
Running the playgroup gauntlet
27
determinant of how likely parents (in
this case mothers) were to attend
local parent and toddler groups1.
Nearly half the mothers surveyed did
not regularly attend groups. Perhaps
worryingly, these mothers were often
those in particular need of
support. They were more
likely to be on income
support and to report that
their child was ‘not very
easy’ as a baby.
So, what was putting off mothers who
didn’t regularly attend parent and child
groups? Dr Jones’ findings are very
much in line with my own
experiences: she found that,
overwhelmingly, it came down to how
comfortable they felt with the other
adults at the group, particularly the
other mothers. Practical issues (such
as whether the group was
conveniently located) and how well
their child appeared to get on with the
other children had much lesser
impact. The single factor that made
mothers most likely to keep attending
a group was whether they knew
anyone else there. This was not just
the case for mothers who were shy –
one of the most confident mothers
also reported going to a group where
she didn’t know anyone only once,
before returning to groups where she
already had friends.
The next biggest determinant of how
likely mothers were to attend a group
was whether they found it friendly and
welcoming or ‘cliquey’ and this was
not just the case for mothers who
were shy. Some reported that they
found that group ‘regulars’
barely spoke to newcomers
(something which I
experienced in most of the
few groups I tried). In some
cases, the hostility was quite
overt, with mothers
gossiping behind each other’s backs.
Indeed, several of the mothers found
their initial experiences of groups to
be so traumatic that it put them off
even trying other groups.
Dr Jones’ research demonstrates that,
no matter how much effort the
organisers of parent and child groups
put into finding the right venue,
supplying fun toys and organising
activities, it can be wasted if mothers
do not find the group friendly and
welcoming. Fortunately, she has
some helpful pointers for how this can
be achieved: “Hold open mornings
with free food and the chance for
newcomers to drop in with whoever
they like and stay just for as long as
they like. No-one likes to feel trapped
in a situation which could be
unpleasant”. She also recommends
having designated ‘welcomers’ who
focus on chatting with newcomers,
Running the playgroup gauntlet
28
making them feel at ease and
introducing them to other parents.
So what if, like me, you’ve tried a few
parent and toddler groups but haven’t
gone back? Dr Jones is careful to
point out that early years groups are
not for everyone. However, at their
best these groups have the potential
to provide a vital lifeline to parents
during times of upheaval.
Although I never found a parent and
child group that I felt happy in I don’t
think I’d be put off trying again if I
have another child. I very much value
the friends that I have made through
slightly different routes. I was
fortunate to meet a wonderful group of
friends (and their babies) through my
NCT antenatal class – we met
regularly throughout my maternity
leave and still catch up when we can.
I also found a four session postnatal
course run by my local health visitors
to be supportive and an invaluable
source of much-needed advice and
reassurance when my daughter was
very young. The postnatal groups I
have found most helpful, however, are
those where ‘parenting’ is not the
focus. During my maternity leave I
attended postnatal pilates classes and
‘Buggyfit’, which helped me to get to
know other mothers and their babies
in an informal setting. More recently, I
have met many wonderful and friendly
parents by helping out at the regular
NCT Nearly New Sales. I suspect that
the act of getting stuck in in order to
make the sale successful encourages
people to work together rather than
focussing on their differences.
My advice to other parents is to be
brave and persevere in order to find
an approach that works for you. If
you are a regular group-goer, even if
you’re sleep-deprived and cranky,
please do offer a friendly smile and a
cuppa to the newbie at your group –
even the most confident parent will
appreciate it. Who knows? They
might even turn out to be a friend for
life.
1. Jones, S.K. (2010) Warning – Group Ahead! Attractions and Barriers to Early Years Groups, Paper presented at the Social Policy Association Annual Conference, University of Lincoln, 6 July 2010. Available online: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/sps/research/projects/completed/2009/Swimmers,%20Strugglers%20and%20Surfers/warninggroupahead.pdf
Note from the Editors – the East
Cheshire Branch of the NCT run a
number of events both for parents and
children, and evening activities
focusing on Mums. Please do join us
for one of our activities and we will do
our best to be welcoming. See the
diary in the centre of the newsletter
for further information.
NCT National News
29
Birthplace Research Programme Result
Results of the landmark Birthplace research programme were published on 25 November.
This research looked at the types of birthplace available to women in the UK, along with their birth outcomes, cost effectiveness and quality of care. For the full article, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) go to http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d7400. The research actually included the results of five studies, but if you just want to get the gist of the main results then the NCT has given a brief summary below.
The main results of the study found that giving birth is generally very safe for healthy women with a straightforward (‘low-risk’) pregnancy. ‘Adverse outcomes’ for babies are rare regardless of where mothers plan to give birth, occurring overall, in just 4 or 5 births in every 1000. These adverse outcomes are serious, or potentially serious health complications, but thankfully they are rare.
All the results discussed below are for healthy women with a straightforward pregnancy and they refer to outcomes for births in different settings analysed according to where the birth was planned at the start of labour care.
Midwifery units
Planning to give birth in a midwifery unit results in no differences in adverse outcomes for their babies, compared with planning to give birth in an obstetric unit. This applied to the babies for women who had given birth previously and to first-time mothers.
Midwifery units also offer benefits for the mother. The research found that there were fewer individual obstetric interventions - mothers were significantly less likely to have an assisted delivery, caesarean section or an episiotomy. What is more, more women had no major obstetric interventions throughout their labour and birth. This is what is meant by being more likely to have a ‘normal birth’, which is defined as occurring when labour starts spontaneously, there is no use of epidural, spinal or general anaesthesia and the baby is born without the assistance of episiotomy, ventouse, forceps or caesarean.
Midwifery units also offer benefits for the mother. Mothers were significantly less likely to have an assisted delivery, caesarean section or other common interventions. There are also many more ‘normal births’ without major interventions at any stage.
NCT National News
30
Home births
Women planning a home birth were more likely than women planning for birth in other settings to have a normal birth: 88% of planned home births are ‘normal births’ compared to just under 60% of planned obstetric unit births.
For women having a second or subsequent baby, home births are safe for the baby and offer benefits for the mother.
For women having a first baby, a planned home birth increases the risk for the baby somewhat. In all groups of women there were at least 990/1000 births without adverse outcomes. There were 9.3 adverse outcomes for babies per 1000 planned home births compared with 5.3 per 1000 for births planned in obstetric units, and this finding was statistically significant. So there may be around 4 extra adverse outcomes in every 1000 planned home births compared with births planned in obstetric units. Stables Regrettably, none of the studies analysed the birthing experience and outcomes for births taking place in stables or similar out buildings. Our own research (following a cohort of one), found birth outcomes to be remarkably successful, however unfortunately quality of care was lacking. On the plus side, this birth place is very cost effective, especially if you sell the gold, frankincense and myrrh on ebay!
Transfers
Transfers to hospital from planned home births and midwifery units are relatively frequent, particularly among first-time mothers. Transfers are one of the reasons why planned home and midwifery unit births are as safe as they are, enabling additional care to be provided when it is needed.
Birthplace findings generally support women with healthy, straightforward pregnancies having free choice of place of birth, based on where they would feel most comfortable giving birth. For more information go to: https://www.npeu.ox.ac.uk/birthplace Follow Birthplace on Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/BirthplaceStudy For information and NCT comment go to: http://tinyurl.com/NCT-Birthplace
NCT National News
31
NCT response to £25 million fund for maternity services
On November 11 2012, the Department of Health announced a £25 million fund to improve birthing environments. Maternity services will be able to apply for new funds to improve their maternity environments as long as there is evidence that women have been asked about the changes they want in their local areas. They can bid for ensuite facilities, rooms where dads can stay overnight or a wider range of facilities available like birthing pools.
Elizabeth Duff, Senior Policy Adviser for NCT, the UK’s largest charity for parents, said:
“Ensuring that maternity services are designed, developed and maintained with on-going input from women and their families is key to providing a service that is accessible and attractive to users, and will be trusted and valued by expectant and new parents. NCT has been a driving force over years in lobbying for improved environments for birth – inside and outside hospitals - and therefore we welcome not only the Department of Health’s increased funding for facilities but the associated proviso that changes are made according to the views and wishes of parents. Maternity services liaison committees (MSLCs) are the ideal multidisciplinary forum for such discussion and these should be supported and maintained throughout other system changes so that contacts and communication channels are not lost.
“NCT is in accord with the royal colleges and other researchers who have confirmed recently that healthy women are safe to give birth outside obstetric units and have good outcomes and high satisfaction rates after birth in midwife-led birth centres. The numbers of such units should be expanded to allow this option for all women who do not need hospital care. At the same time, women who do have to receive care in hospital owing to higher-risk circumstances should have the same opportunities of access to birthing pools, comfortable rooms and facilities for partners to stay with them after the birth if they wish.”
Invest in Breastfeeding
NCT is one of the authors of a UNICEF-funded report published last month which demonstrated that by investing in breastfeeding support the Government could save the NHS millions of pounds.
The report makes clear that if health services invested in enabling women to breastfeed for as long as they wanted, they would achieve a rapid return on their investment, reducing illness and improving the quality of life for thousands of families.
Taking just a few of the illnesses where breastfeeding is linked to a reduction in risk, it was calculated that some £40 million could be saved each year.
The study was the first of its kind in the UK. To read it in detail visit the NCT website at http://www.nct.org.uk.
Doula service provided by our Birth Companions
An NCT Birth Companion will:
• Meet with you three times before the
birth
• Help you put together a support plan to
specify what you want for your birth
• Stay with you throughout your labour
and birth, including liaising with mid-
wifery staff to allow you to focus on
your own needs
• Support you with active birth skills, such
as positions, massage, breathing and
relaxation techniques
• Meet with you again after the birth to
discuss how things went
Evidence suggests that supportive
care from a woman during labour
can reduce the need for pain
medication, shorten labour and
increase women’s satisfaction
with their birth experience.
For more details, or to book,
please call 07525 403 674 or email
Until May 2012 book a student NCT
Birth Companion for £250. Standard
price £600 with reductions for those
in financial hardship.
Now available in your area
University trained Birth Companions provide one-to-one emotional and
physical support from late pregnancy, through labour, birth and into the first
few hours with your baby.
Registered charity no. 801395
Continuous compassionate support,
tailored to suit you and your family,
wherever and however you choose to
give birth.
About the NCT
33
Founded in 1956, we are a UK-wide
membership charity, which means that
every postcode 'belongs' to one of our 314
branches, where the volunteers who
organise branch activities are the backbone
of the NCT. There are about 4,000
volunteers who hold positions such as
branch chair, secretary, treasurer,
membership secretary, postnatal co-
ordinator, newsletter editor, fundraising co-
ordinator and so on.
The NCT is at the forefront of influencing
and devising policy relating to pregnancy,
childbirth and early parenthood and
undertakes campaigning and lobbying for
better maternity care and other support for
parents-to-be and new parents. We provide
evidence-based information about
pregnancy and birth, for example through
the Bumps and Babies magazine which is
freely available from maternity units, GPs’
surgeries, Sure Start/Children's Centres etc.
Individual parents may order a copy via our
website www.nct.org.uk
We provide antenatal classes, Early Days
postnatal courses and drop-ins and
breastfeeding support through branch
activities such as open houses, bumps and
babies groups, branch newsletters and so
on. All these things together offer
opportunities for people to make friends,
build confidence and enjoy their new role as
parents.
National Contacts
NCT Website www.nct.org.uk NCT Switchboard 0844 243 6000 (tel) 0844 243 6001 (fax) NCT Membership 0844 243 7000 NCT Enquiry Line 0300 33 00 770 NCT Breastfeeding Line 0300 33 00 771 (8am-10pm 7 days a week)
NCT Pregnancy & Birth Line 0300 33 00 772 (9am-8pm Mon-Fri) NCT Early Days Line 0300 33 00 773 (9am-1pm Mon-Fri) National Experience Register Line 0300 33 00 774 NCT E-groups www.nct.org.uk/info-centre/getting-help/egroups NCT Shop www.nctshop.co.uk
Information for Advertisers
34
NCT East Cheshire Newsletter Advertising Rates
The NCT East Cheshire branch covers the Wilmslow, Poynton and Macclesfield area. Our newsletter is published four times a year and currently has a print run of 350. The newsletter is distributed to our members, pregnant women in the area via local midwives, local health professionals, and other interested parties such as prospective members, antenatal and postnatal groups. If you are interested in advertising with us please get in touch to discuss your requirements: [email protected]
One issue Yearly (four issues) 10% discount
Full Page Back Cover (colour) £60 £216
Full Page Inside Front / Back Cover (colour) £55 £198
Full Page (B&W) £40 £144
Half Page (B&W) £25 £90
Quarter Page (B&W) £15 £54
Prices exclude VAT at 20% If you would like to include advertorial in the newsletter, please contact [email protected] for rates and guidelines.
NEXT ISSUE: Spring 2013 (due out end of February) COPY DEADLINE: 15th February 2013
Got an opinion or experience that you’d like to share? We’d love to print it. Please e-mail copy to [email protected] as a Word file or include the text in your e-mail.
www.nct.org.uk/branches/east-cheshire
top quality baby & children’s clothes, books, toys & equipment at bargain prices
Saturday 2
nd March 2013
Macclesfield Academy, Park Lane, Macclesfield, SK11 8JR
11am* – 1:00pm (*members entry 11am, general admission 11:15am)
Admission £1 (in aid of NCT charity) Please do not bring pushchairs or shopping bags
Refreshment Stand
Do you have items that you would like to sell?
Contact [email protected] or call 0844 243 6115 for more info
Friends of East Cheshire NCT @EastCheshireNCT
When responding to an advert please remember to mention where you saw it
