Wolves Foundation are holding a ‘Healthy Pregnancy Evening’ to support people who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, building on the success of a weekly group which is providing advice and guidance to prospective parents from across the city.
The free weekly sessions, delivered in partnership with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, follow a variety of themes around practical support such as feeding and safe sleeping as well as being a social support group allowing people to share their thoughts and experiences.
And now, on the evening of Thursday September 12th, Molineux’s North Bank Bar will play host to a free event featuring various health professionals offering information about antenatal classes, hypnobirthing, nutrition and exercise, baby and child first aid, and much more!
Jade Sutton, senior health officer at Wolves Foundation, has been facilitating the weekly sessions which have included vital input from NHS Healthy Pregnancy Advisors Emily Lear and Charlotte Archer.
“A healthy pregnancy is so important to establish the basis for the lifelong health of a baby, and can actually prove to be the key first step in a child’s development as well,” says Jade.
“These sessions have not only provided some really important practical information but have also created a community of parents-to-be, whose babies are due around the same time.
“Sharing experiences can help them feel more relaxed and prepared for the life-changing journey ahead and, for many, they have gained a set of friends to share it with.”
Advisor Emily, based at Wolverhampton’s New Cross Hospital, explained a little more about the work that they do with the Wolves Foundation.
“We provide sessions here at Molineux for women that are currently pregnant or know someone who is, and their partners, and we are here to help.
“We can provide information for anything they need to know, which could be anything from preparing for labour, feeding or self-care.
“The group has also proved really good for socialising, and we love it when they get to know each other because they can learn through their experiences together.
“We want to provide a support network, for some people this is the only time they leave the house so it can be useful for them, and we love to help.”
Amongst those who previously attended the Healthy Pregnancy group were Alexis and Dan, now mother and father to six-month-old baby Meredith, who have also been attending the Foundation’s Healthy Goals Stay & Play sessions since becoming parents.
“They were really interesting classes, and taught us so much useful information,” says Alexis.
“Even things like the baby first aid, we haven’t had to use any of it and hopefully we never will but it’s really handy to have that information which is invaluable.
“We’ve gained some friends through the Healthy Pregnancy sessions and Healthy Goals Stay & Play and it’s nice for Meredith to be able to interact with other babies as well. So, having a bit of a social life with it too is great!
“We can all relate to each other and if you have any questions about what’s going on with your baby you can speak to the other mums or dads so it’s really handy to have that community there.”
Dan also accompanied Alexis to some of the sessions and was also able to receive the information at first hand.
“I think it’s great because when you have a baby for the first time you aren’t given an instruction manual,” he said.
“You’re looking for all the information out there that is available and it’s great that Wolves Foundation offer something that you can just turn up to, and receive all of the information that you need.”
Next Thursday’s event, also run in partnership with the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust and free to attend, takes place from 6pm-8pm, with health professionals in attendance including midwives, health visitors and healthy pregnancy advisors.
Kate Cheshire, head of midwifery and neonatal services at the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust said: “The teams are looking forward to meeting families and talking about keeping healthy before and throughout pregnancy, as well as maintaining family health beyond pregnancy.
“This is the first event of this type and we are excited to join with other colleagues from Wolves Foundation and Healthy Goals.”
Click the link to complete an expression of interest form or turn up on the night at the North Bank Bar with parking available on the Stan Cullis Stand.
