Norfolk & Waveney Local Maternity & Neonatal System

13/06/2025

Although there are sometimes signs that someone may not be OK, it can be difficult to recognise when someone may be lonely. The only real way to know if somebody is feeling lonely is to talk about it with them.

Loneliness is different for everyone and there are no rules for when or how a person may experience it. Simply by being there, listening, and reassuring them, you can help them feel supported and less alone.

For more information, visit https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-worried-about-someone-else/supporting-someone-who-may-be-lonely/

13/06/2025

📢 Join Us for the QEH (King’s Lynn) MNVP Quarterly Meeting! 🗣️

📍 Where? Online via Microsoft Teams
🗓 When? Tuesday 8th July | 🕐 1pm – 2pm
🔑 Meeting ID: 360 942 294 679 2
🔐 Passcode: r3aF2uy9

This meeting is a chance to hear the latest updates from the MNVP (Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership). It's open to service users and professionals — everyone is welcome to attend and engage. Please note: this is not a listening event for individual feedback.

💬 Let’s come together to share progress and make a difference in maternity and neonatal care. We’d love to see you there!

12/06/2025

Doing Pelvic floor muscle exercises daily during pregnancy can help reduce incontinence 3-6 months after birth by up to 29%.

The pelvic floor muscles sit between the p***c bone and tail bone, they maintain bladder and bowel control and support the pelvic organs including the bladder, bowel and womb.
To do pelvic floor muscle exercises:
1) Squeeze and lift the back passage muscles as if you are wanting to stop passing wind, and continue the squeeze and lift to the front, as if you are trying to stop yourself weeing as well.
2) try not to squeeze your buttock or legs. Let go fully and make sure to relax in between each contraction.
3) Lift and hold for 10 seconds, or until the muscles tire. Aim to do this up to 10 times, or until your muscles tire.
4) Then repeat short contractions, lifting and repeating up to 10 times or until the muscles tire.
5) Do the short and long squeezes up to three times a day.
6) Starting as early in pregnancy as you can, and restarting your pelvic floor muscles as soon as comfortable after birth and any catheter has been removed can help with recovery of the muscles.

The Squeezy App is available to support with sticking with these exercises every day as it can be difficult to remember and prioritise them, especially if you are not experiencing any problemsust remember that doing these can help avoid experiencing problems further down the line.

For further information speak to your midwife or visit: https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/pregnancy-early-days/having-a-baby/pelvic-health-during-pregnancy/

12/06/2025

Becoming a mother or father is a life-changing event. And while it can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences, it can also be an incredibly lonely time for parents.

For many parents, feelings of loneliness can often stem from lacking quality adult conversation, comparing ourselves to others online, or a lack of a wider social network of friends, family or neighbours. It is important to talk to others about how you are feeling, be kind to yourself, and remember there is nothing to feel ashamed or guilty about-loneliness is a natural human emotion.

If you need someone to talk to, you can contact Samaritans FREE, any time, day or night by calling 116 123, or visit https://www.samaritans.org/


If you feel like loneliness is affecting your mental health, you can talk to your midwife, GP, or self refer to NHS Talking Therapies by visiting https://www.wellbeingnands.co.uk/norfolk/get-support/treatment-and-talking-therapies/

11/06/2025

There has been lots of research on the effects of loneliness on our mental and physical health – it’s seen as one of the biggest health concerns we face.

If you’ve been feeling lonely for a long time, make an appointment to see your GP to make sure that you are getting the right support, or self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies by visiting https://www.wellbeingnands.co.uk/norfolk/

10/06/2025

It's Infant Mental Health Awareness Week and we are supporting this year's campaign "Who is holding the baby". 👶🧠

10/06/2025

This week's what's on!

We've got IBCLC support and Babywearing back this week!

Monday, Gorleston Library, Gorleston 10am-11:30am
Tuesday, Hungate Church, Beccles, 9:45am-11:15am
Wednesday, Way Up High, South Lowestoft, 10:30am-12pm
Thursday, Dinky Town, Oulton Broad, 9:45am-11:30am
Friday, Marina, Great Yarmouth, 9:30am-11am

IBCLC Support and Way Up High, and Babywearing is out at Marina Lowestoft and Waveney Babywearing Support

10/06/2025

You don’t have to be on your own to feel lonely - you might feel lonely in a relationship or while spending time with friends or family.

Being at home with a tiny baby can be a lonely and overwhelming experience for lots of new parents, but it is important to remember is that loneliness is a normal human emotion, and there is nothing to feel ashamed or guilty about.

For more information on loneliness and parenthood visit https://www.lonelinessawarenessweek.org/parenthood

If loneliness is affecting your mental health it is important to get support. You can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies by visiting https://www.wellbeingnands.co.uk/norfolk/ or talk to your midwife or GP.

09/06/2025

Between 9th-13th June, we're supporting .

Pregnancy and new babies bring about huge changes to your life and being a new mum or dad can sometimes be a lonely time.

This year, the focus is on meeting loneliness together, and aims to reduce the stigma around this natural human emotion.

Throughout the week we will be sharing information on loneliness. You can find out more at https://www.lonelinessawarenessweek.org/ or visit https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-youre-feeling-lonely/

06/06/2025

Are you booked for or thinking of an Elective Caesarean Section for your birth?

There are a number of ways your team can support you to optimise your experience, such as immediate skin to skin when the baby is born.

If you want to know more speak to your Obstetrician (Doctor) or midwife who can personalise your plan for your needs.

04/06/2025

04/06/2025