The following are links to web sites that may assist you; each link indicated in orange will open the relevant web site in a new browser window, so Sense & Sensitivity will always be available in the background for you to return to.
The Independent Midwives Association has a list of Independent Midwives in the UK.
One Mother, One Midwife is a campaign to encourage government to provide women with one to one midwifery care on the NHS.
The Homebirth Reference Site is a comprehensive site for those considering homebirth.
The Association for Improvements in Maternity Services is an organisation concerned with the Improvement in Maternity Services.
The VBAC Pages supplies information and support for those who previously had a caesarean section and who are considering vaginal birth subsequently.
The Association of Radical Midwives is committed to improving maternity care within the NHS.
Birth Choice UK provides national statistics and information to assist you in your decision as to place of birth and the professional carer at birth.
The LaLeche League GB provides support and information for breastfeeding.
The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) provides information and support around pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood.
Northampton Home Birth was set up in 2009 to offer support to parents considering home as the place for the birth of their baby. Organised by NCT Antenatal teachers and an Independent Midwife, the group offers a safe environment in which to discuss and consider home birth as an option for you and your baby. The Home Birth Support Group is organised by volunteers and is linked to the Northampton Branch of the NCT.
Nursing & Midwifery Council protects the public by ensuring that midwives provide high standards of care to their clients.
HypnoBirthing® Join the growing number of women choosing HypnoBirthing® for a comfortable, rewarding birth. Follow the links in yellow below.
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Hundreds of couples helped to have a more satisfying birth. 12½ hours of fun, informative, antenatal education by Jenny Mullan, one of the UK's leading HypnoBirthing® practitioners, mother of two HypnoBirthing® babies, and UK trainer.
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As a uniquely skilled Natural Birthing Practitioner based in Northampton, Gill Blayney can offer you a variety of services to help you enjoy your pregnancy, feel excited about birthing and confident as you progress into the early days of parenthood.
Teresa Hadland Shiatsu: Shiatsu is a form of physical therapy, working on all levels of mind and body, which originated in Japan and has developed worldwide over the last 40 years. It can achieve the same benefits as osteopathy and chiropractic by correcting distortions or weakness in the skeletal structure that affect good posture and movement. Terésa Hadland has over 20 years clinical experience and works with a wide range of medical conditions including pregnancy and labour.
YogaWalks offer relaxing and stimulating weekends and holidays that combine yoga, walking and good food in beautiful surroundings with like minded people. The aim is to provide ‘a natural pause’ from ordinary daily life, time out for the individual, an opportunity to unwind, deepen your yoga practice and enjoy the countryside.
Aqualight Babies: Babies are born with natural swimming reflexes and Aqualight Babies teach the techniques that stimulate these natural reflexes, turning them into conscious swimming movements. They relate the Yoga principles of Balance, Awareness and Harmony to provide an holistic approach to your baby’s development in the water.
Wendy Grant: Specialist Pregnancy & Maternity, Newborn, Baby & Children's fine art photographer in Northamptonshire and the surrounding counties.
Eco Nappy is a small family run business that sells a wonderful range of real/cloth, washable nappies, nappy wraps, eco disposables & nappy accessories to make the care of your little one fun & simple. The range includes many popular UK, European & international brands, hand selected for their simplicity and reliability. In addition they are ethical, environmentally friendly, natural & competitively priced.
Baby Milk Action is a non-profit organisation which aims to save lives and to end the avoidable suffering caused by inappropriate infant feeding. Baby Milk Action works within a global network to strengthen independent, transparent and effective controls on the marketing of the baby feeding industry.
The Baby Friendly Initiative is a worldwide programme of the World Health Organization and UNICEF. It was established in 1992 to encourage maternity hospitals to implement the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and to practise in accordance with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative was launched in the UK in 1994 and, in 1998, its principles were extended to cover the work of community health-care services in the Seven Point Plan for the Promotion, Protection and Support of Breastfeeding in Community Health Care Settings.
Kate Hopewell-Smith Photography: "I cut my teeth taking pictures of my children, then my friends' children. I was asked to shoot a wedding and finally I listened to those close to me and decided to set up my business. There has never been any doubt about my speciality, my photographic passion - and that is photographing people. I'm convinced you can only do this successfully if you enjoy making connections and building relationships. It matters to me. I want to give you something special by taking the time to know you a little. Because each person, each wedding, each moment is unique. At the end of the day it's about framing your life."
Mocha Mama In September 2009 the first mocha-mama opened in Kettering, Northants, in response to demand for a safe and welcoming place for Parents and Carers to go with little ones. They are open Monday to Saturday 10am-4pm.
Kettering Homebirth Support Group - you can meet Jane at this group which runs bi-monthly throughout the year. For details of the events please visit the events page at Mocha Mama.
The Joliba Trust, which works for sustainable development to help restore livelihoods in Mali. I am supporting in its maternity and women's programmes.
Cupcakes and Cuddles - a local mum and baby group on Facebook.
My Daddy Cooks - Nick Coffer's account of Matilda’s recent home birth. As you will read, he was not always convinced that a home-birth was the best option. The almost complete lack of information on home-births from the dad’s perspective led him to write these posts for other new dads whose partners want a home-birth…
Home Birth Supplies works closely with both Independent & NHS midwives to bring you practical products for a stress free home birth.
The Mother Magazine - an interesting and alternative parent publication available on-line.
The Stork Club - Helping you Prepare for Your Family Planning, Pregnancy, Birth and New Parenthood Needs.
SlingGuide - This site was set up by parents for parents. It is a comprehensive, independent site with no advertising and which is run by volunteers who want to help others choose and use a sling which is best for them.
NutriBaby - Weaning Courses at NutriBaby will help you give your baby the most nourishing start. Their weaning courses are run by Sheila, mother of twins (with seven grandchildren) and fully qualified nutritionist. Small and informal group sessions cover topics such as how to: encourage healthy, nutritious eating; make your life easier by feeding your baby the same food as the rest of the family; reduce allergies and infections; avoid developmental problems such as ADHD and dyslexia.
Idependent Placenta Encapsulation Network - IPEN Placenta Specialists believe the placenta, grown by both mother and baby, is an integral part of the healing process for new mothers after birth, giving a powerful gift no medicine or herbal remedy can provide. By utilising the placenta, making the placenta more paletable and giving new mothers unique ways of embracing its healing powers, we provide a comfortable and gentle approach to understanding how and why the placenta should be honoured and not treated as waste.
Osteopathic Centre for Children - The OCC is a charitable organisation based in the UK that seeks to ensure that paediatric osteopathy – a gentle, effective and environmentally-friendly treatment – is established as an option for parents and carers concerned for their child’s health.
