Antenatal

Communicating and Bonding with baby

Health Visitors as Public Health Nurses work closely with parents/carers and families to support behaviour change, promote health protection and to keep children safe. The antenatal period is vital time to prepare for parenthood, and therefore health visitors provide support at this stage to promote positive attachment, and help parents/carers to make informed and positive choices for themselves and their child.

It is important for you and your baby even before they are born to develop a relationship with them, this will help their health and development and enhance your relationship to them.

• When you touch your stomach gently babies can reply with a wriggle or a kick

• At 20 weeks pregnant babies can hear your voice and other everyday sounds, including TV theme tunes, music and family fun.  This will help babies to learn the patterns of speech and language.

Keeping well in pregnancy is vital for baby and you 

Perinatal Mental Health

• IAPT - Improving access to psychological therapies is a national NHS programme designed to increase the availability of talking therapy treatments.

Diet and Healthy Start Vouchers and Vitamins

A healthy diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle at any time but is especially vital if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Eating healthily during pregnancy will help your baby to develop and grow.

You could be eligible for healthy start vouchers. You can apply for healthy start vouchers online or speak to your health visitor.

For information on eating healthy during pregnancy visit the NHS guidance for information on healthy eating in pregnancy.

Healthy Start vitamins are available to eligible women and children via the following pharmacies located across York at the following participating pharmacies:
1. The Priory Pharmacy, Cornlands Road, YO24 3WX
2. Tower Court Pharmacy, Unit 1, Tower Court, Oakdale Road, YO30 4WL
3. Whitworth Pharmacy, 275 Melrosegate, YO10 3SN
4. Monk Bar Pharmacy, 3 Goodramdate, YO1 7LJ
5. Day Lewis Pharmacy, 67 Front Street, YO24 3BR
6. Huntington Pharmacy, 1 North Lane within Huntington Surgery, YO32 9RU
7. Haxby Group Pharmacy, Haxby & Wigginton Health Centre, YO32 2LL
8. Fulford Pharmacy, 101 Main Street, Fulford, YO10 4PN
9. MJ Roberts Pharmacy, 8 Boroughbridge Road, YO26 5RU
1. The Priory Pharmacy, Cornlands Road, York, YO24 3WX
2. Citywide Health - Tower Court Pharmacy, Unit 1, Tower Court, Clifton Moorgate, York YO30 4WL
3. Monkbar Pharmacy, 3 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LJ
4. Citywide Health - Water End Pharmacy, 8 Boroughbridge Road, Acomb, York, YO26 5RU
5. Citywide Health - Fulford Pharmacy, 101 Main Street, Fulford, York, YO10 4PN
6. Day Lewis Pharmacy, 67 Front Street, Acomb, York, YO24 3BR
7. Citywide Health - Huntington Pharmacy, 1-3 North Lane, Huntington, York, YO32 9RU
8. Citywide Health - Haxby Pharmacy, Haxby & Wigginton Health Centre, The Village, Wigginton, York, YO32 2LL

Exercise

The more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to adapt to your changing shape and weight gain. It will also help you to cope with labour and get back into shape after the birth.

The NHS has Exercise tips when you're pregnant.

Relationships

Healthy relationships are also important for yours and babies well being in pregnancy.

• Independent Domestic Abuse Service - IDAS is the largest specialist charity in Yorkshire supporting anyone experiencing or affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence.

• Dad pad Is the essential guide for new dads, developed with the NHS.

Smoking

Smoking whilst pregnant impacts you and your baby in many ways and puts you and your baby at risks.  Please contact your midwife or health visitor for further information and support with stopping smoking.

• Bump the habbit supports pregnant women to stop smoking

• CYC Yorwellbeing - City of York Health Trainers who can support you to live a healthier lifestyle, including free health checks and stop smoking support

• Changing Lives - Changing Lives work with people who are in crisis or who need support to overcome serious challenges that can limit their opportunities. They help people to develop the skills and self-belief to move past prior experiences, change their story and achieve a better future – for themselves, their families and their communities.

Planning for your baby

NHS homepage

The NHS homepage has information, guidance and tools relating to all aspects of your health, including how to get medical help, where to find health related services and apps for improving health.

Sleeping arrangements

• Lullaby Trust - The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families

Vaccinations

• NHS Vaccinations - This guide can help you understand the vaccines offered in the UK and when to have them. It also explains how they work and why they're safe and important

Red Book

• Personal Child Health Record (Red book) - The Personal Child Health Record, also known as the PCHR or 'red book', is a national standard health and development record given to parents/carers at a child's birth.

Infant Feeding

It's a good idea to think about how you will feed your baby and to receive the information, advice and support you may need.

For more information and advice about feeding your baby visit our Infant Feeding Advice and Support page.