The Health Visiting Team Service is available to provide information, guidance, and support during the antenatal period for all expectant parents/carers, to ensure that you and your developing baby are as well and healthy as possible.
This includes both physical and emotional guidance, as well as preparing you for your baby’s arrival, considering environmental and safety factors that may support you during your antenatal period. Please see appropriate links for evidence based advice and support
Your midwife will share your details with our service at 28 weeks of your pregnancy (or earlier if your midwife feels there is additional support identified). At this stage our service will contact you offering our antenatal contact appointment.

NHS– Your antenatal care

Antenatal Classes – Educational videos

NHS – Antenatal classes can help you to prepare for your baby’s birth and give you confidence and information.

NHS– Tips for your birth partner

Dads Matter– Resources and support for dads

Dad Pad -Provides new dads and dads-to-be the knowledge and practical skills necessary to support themselves and their partner, so that babies get the best possible start in life. (Dads covered by Bath need to select the new app, titled ‘BaNES Swindon and Wiltshire )

AIMH– Getting to know your baby videos

Eating a healthy, varied diet in pregnancy will help you get most of the vitamins and minerals you need.

But when you’re pregnant, or there’s a chance you might get pregnant, it’s important to also take a folic acid supplement.

It’s recommended that you take:

• 400 micrograms of folic acid every day – from before you’re pregnant until you’re 12 weeks pregnant

This is to reduce the risk of problems in the baby’s development in the early weeks of pregnancy.

It is also recommended that you take a daily vitamin D supplement.

Do not take cod liver oil or any supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) when you’re pregnant. Too much vitamin A could harm your baby. Always check the label.

You also need to know which foods to avoid in pregnancy

NHS – Health Eating and Wellbeing courses for families

Pelvic Health care for all women and birthing people from pregnancy to 12 months postnatal

They are a team of pelvic floor specialists, running a service to help reduce the chance of you having problems with your bladder or bowels during pregnancy and after birth.

If you do have bladder or bowel concerns, we are here for you.

Anyone can be affected by pelvic floor health problems during or after pregnancy, including accidental leaking of wee or poo (incontinence) and prolapse of the pelvic organs.

The Perinatal Pelvic Health Team has been set up provide support, advice and treatment for those with pelvic floor concerns birthing in Bath and the surrounding areas, Salisbury and Swindon.

Click here

NHS– Exercise in pregnancy

Mothers start to produce colostrum (early milk) while pregnant. Being able to express colostrum is a useful skill to have. Saving your expressed colostrum may also be beneficial if your baby is likely to need special care after birth.

La leche –  Information and guidance.

Royal United Hospital Antenatal Hand Expressing.

NHS How to hand express video

UNICEF– Hand expression video

Breastfeeding friend – The Breastfeeding Friend, a digital tool from Start for Life, offers practical information and advice on breastfeeding.

NHS– Expressing and storing breastmilk

Infant Feeding 

Practical support and help from birth to five years of age. click here

Baby Buddy APP – Interactive pregnancy and parenting App

NHS Best Start to life – Information supporting families pre-pregnancy, throughout the pregnancy and up until the child is 2 years old.

Building a Happy Baby– Guide for parents.

NHS– Premature labour and birth

NHS– Special care for premature babies

NHS– Feeding my premature baby

Tommy’s – Information and support for caring for your premature baby.

Tommy’s – Growth and development of my premature baby

Bliss – Information and support for caring for your premature baby.

Lullaby Trust – How to keep your baby safe when sleeping.

NHS -Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

ICON– When babies cry it can be stressful and overwhelming. Help is out there and all you need to do is ask.

CRY-SIS– Support for crying baby helpline 0800 448 0737 Lines open 7 days a week 9am-10pm

NHS– Maternity and Paternity benefits and leave

Sure Start– Maternity Grant

Gov.UK – Maternity rights

NHS – Breastfeeding and going back to work

NHS– Stop smoking in pregnancy

NHS– Smoking and alcohol during pregnancy

Health in Pregnancy team– support to stop smoking and healthy lifestyle

Padlet – Support services for mental health and Wellbeing

IHV– Understanding your mental health and emotional wellbeing during pregnancy and after the birth of your baby (mothers)

NHS– Mental health in pregnancy

Tommy’s– Looking after your mental health after baby is born dads and partners

If you are experiencing Domestic Abuse please contact the police 999.

Other Services that can support

National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247

Women’s Aid–   What is domestic abuse and commonly asked questions and support.

Women’s Aid– Different languages.

Banes Domestic Violence and Abuse – Supporting services.

Voices – 1:1 and peer support.

Southside Domestic Abuse supporting Service.

Julian House Domestic Abuse Refuge single point of access.

NHS– Getting help for domestic abuse

Parents who have experienced a sudden and unexpected death of a baby often feel anxious when they have another baby.

Each area has a local co-ordinator who will discuss with parents the support available and arrange a plan of care with parents and professionals.  The CONI programme is for parents who are expecting a baby where either parent has sadly lost a baby following a sudden unexpected death.

The programme is usually offered for up to 6 months after the baby is born depending on the individual circumstances.

Your midwife can refer you antenatally to the CONI scheme.

CONI information leaflet:new-CONI-leaflet-2020-FINAL

Baby loss information and support