Content warning – this blog may be triggering, please only read if you feel safe and able to. There are signposting options to support at the end. Miscarriage – where to start? By Kathy, Gloucestershire MVP Chair The loss of hope, the loss of a future. We have been speaking quite a bit about early miscarriage... Read More
If your baby arrived in March 2022, they were one of 472 born in the county! The stats: 261 boys, and 211 girls. 7 sets of twins, no triplets. Weights ranged from 700g (1lb 9oz) to 4750g (10lb 7.5oz) 79% of women and birthing people initiated breastfeeding with their babies Places of birth: Cheltenham Aveta Birth Centre... Read More
Hi, I’m Hannah and I’m one of the new Vice Chairs for the Gloucestershire Maternity Voices. I’m going to be focusing on perinatal mental health, and neonatal care. I have experience of both areas as a service user so this is a very exciting job for me and something I am very passionate about! My daughter... Read More
Maternal Mental Health Week always causes me to pause and reflect on my experiences of mental illness, in the time before and after the arrival of my daughter. I had some experience of mental health challenges in the years before I got pregnant, so when my midwife asked me at my booking appointment, I mentioned them to... Read More
Mental health and wellbeing resources for new and expectant parents Speak your midwife. If you have been discharged, your health visitor can also provide advice, and refer for additional support. Visit www.ghc.nhs.uk/healthvisiting for contact details. Your GP is there to support your mental and physical health before,... Read More
Links to background information: Maternity Voices Partnerships, our responsibilities, membership and aims How we collect feedback Where we are now The MVP have continued to operate virtually during the Covid-19 pandemic which consumed most of 2021/22. Despite this, our key achievements to date have been: Worked with... Read More
If your baby arrived in February 2022, they were one of 413 born in the county! The stats: 222 boys and 191 girls. 6 sets of twins, no triplets. Smallest baby weighed 1910g (4lb 3oz) and the largest weighed 5750g (12lb 11oz). 77% of women initiated breastfeeding. Places of birth: Cheltenham Aveta Birth Unit – 7 Gloucester... Read More
Message from the Chair Birth Experience Survey Priorities from 2021 Bereavement Perinatal Mental Health Language LGBTQAI+ Postnatal Care Cultural Diversity Infant Feeding Coproduction and Engagement activities The Ockenden Report The Covid-19 pandemic Next steps for 2022 Message from the Chair I have now been the chair... Read More
Had a baby in January 2022? They were one of 472 born in Gloucestershire! The stats: 224 boys and 248 girls. 5 sets of twins, no triplets. Smallest baby weighed 1400g (3lb 1oz) and the largest weighed 5360g (11lb 13oz). 79% of women initiated breastfeeding. Places of birth: Cheltenham Aveta Birth Unit – 1 (the unit... Read More
In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, Gloucestershire MVP Chair, Kathy, reflects on her breastfeeding experiences. My children are now 3 and 2.5 years old. I breastfed until they were each around 6 months. Choosing how to feed your baby can be a very difficult decision, from those who choose to formula feed early... Read More