Maternity Matters, Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire Maternity Services are committed to supporting people throughout their pregnancy journey and to help them understand their options to make informed choices about the care that is available. We are a partnership of organisations, women and pregnant people and their families steered by local, regional and national reports and guidelines. Working together, we want to make sure that, in Northamptonshire, all women, pregnant people, their families and babies have the best possible maternity experience. 

About the Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS)

Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccination

Catching rubella during pregnancy can be very serious for your unborn baby, causing a condition called congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). By getting immunised you will not only be protecting yourself but also reduce the risk of passing infections to others – including your new baby who cannot get protection from MMR vaccine until their first birthday.

The vaccine will also protect you and your baby in any future pregnancies. Two doses of MMR help protect against measles, mumps and rubella.
The vaccine cannot be given while pregnant and would be given at 6 weeks after birth.

Read more here...

Northamptonshire MNVP

Northamptonshire Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) is a working group made up of women, birthing people and families.
The MNVP has been set up to listen to and speak for service users who have accessed local maternity and neonatal services, we want to hear what went well and what could have been done better.

The MNVP welcomes anyone who would like to become a member and support our ambitions and goals. Please feel free to email [email protected] for further information.

Further Information

Maternity Service Wellbeing Walks

This is a manageable and leisurely walk, lasting around an hour, to help you get active and support your mental and physical health. Take some time out for you and your baby, meet other parents and parents to be, have a chat with midwives specialising in wellbeing and if you fancy, grab a coffee.

Walks will last around an hour however the team will be there for an hour after if you wish to stay and chat. Each walk will be in a different location with a different specialist Midwife. Please see "Agenda" for full details and then book onto the walk(s) to suit you.

Pregnant Mums or new parents, all welcome. Please feel free to spread the word. Other children welcome.

Further information on dates and times:

Whooping Cough (Pertussis Vaccine)

Expectant mothers can help protect their babies by getting themselves vaccinated against whooping cough from 16 weeks. The vaccine is sometimes offered after the mid-pregnancy scan around 18 to 20 weeks.
The immunity you acquire from the vaccine will be passed to your baby through the placenta. This will help protect your baby in the frst few vulnerable weeks of its life until he or she is old enough to have the vaccine at 2 months of age. Babies are offered whooping cough vaccination at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age as part of their routine immunisations

Read more here...

The Safe Sleep 6

A baby’s airway or breathing tube can easily
block, narrow or fold, making it difficult for them
to breathe. Laying your baby flat on their back
on a firm, flat mattress helps to keep your baby’s
airway (breathing tube) open and clear.  A ‘firm,
flat mattress’ means:

• Not cushioned and no soft or raised areas
• Baby’s head can’t sink in more than a few millimetres
• Doesn’t sag
• Doesn’t slope or tilt

Visit the Lullaby Trust bit.ly/3uMzXkE  

The Safe Sleep 6

A baby’s airway or breathing tube can easily
block, narrow or fold, making it difficult for them
to breathe.Create the safest place for a baby
to sleep in a way that protects the baby's
airways and reduces the risk of SIDS
and accidents.
Visit the Lullaby Trust bit.ly/3uMzXkE

The Safe Sleep 6

Check baby regularly to see if they are too hot.
A good way is to feel the back of their neck -
baby's hands and feet will normally be cooler.
If your baby’s skin is hot or sweaty, remove one
or more layers of bedding, they may also need
less if unwell.
Visit the Lullaby Trust bit.ly/3uMzXkE

The Safe Sleep 6

The recommended room temperature for baby
is 16-20C and baby shouldn’t be next to a direct
heat source. Overheating baby increases the
chance of SIDS (cot death). Research shows
babies are better to be cooler than too hot.
Visit the Lullaby Trust bit.ly/3uMzXkE

The Safe Sleep 6

A baby’s airway or breathing tube can easily
block,narrow or fold, making it difficult for them
to breathe. Create the safest place for a baby
to sleep in a way that protects the baby's
airways and reduces the risk of SIDS
and accidents.
Visit the Lullaby Trust bit.ly/3uMzXkE

The Safe Sleep 6

A baby’s airway or breathing tube can easily
block,narrow or fold, making it difficult for
them to breathe.Create the safest place for
a baby to sleep in a waythat protects the
baby's airways and reduces the riskof SIDS
and accidents.
Never co-sleep on a sofa or armchair.
Visit the Lullaby Trust bit.ly/3uMzXkE

The Safe Sleep 6

Protect your baby from second hand smoke by
avoiding smoking around your baby at all times,
making your house and care smokefree. Contact
your midwife or local council for support to quit
smoking. Visit the Lullaby Trust bit.ly/3uMzXkE 

The Safe Sleep 6

Safe sleep practices reduce sudden &
unexpected infant deaths. Baby needs a
clear, flat separate sleep space like a
cot/Moses basket in the same room as you.
There should always be a sober caregiver
to look after your children.
Visit the Lullaby Trust bit.ly/3uMzXkE

The Safe Sleep 6

Medicines can make you drowsy. Other
drugs can reduce your responsiveness
to baby. They need a clear, flat separate sleep
space like a cot/Moses basket in the same room
as you. Visit the Lullaby Trust bit.ly/3uMzXkE 

The Safe Sleep 6

Babies born prematurely (before 37 weeks)
or who have a low birth weight (under 2.5kgs)
are particularly vulnerable to sudden
unexpected death It's important that safe
sleep advice is followed.
Visit the Lullaby Trust bit.ly/3uMzXkE