Waiting for babyJacob Lots of information

about our courses,Nearly New Sales and

how you can getinvolved!

Branch NewsThe benefits of making

music at home andsome ideas to get you

started

Make Sweet Music

Rachel shares her birthstory about prolongued

pregnancy

EastbourneSpring 2016

© NCT 30 Euston Square London NW1 2FB Registered Charity no. 801395www.nct.org.uk

P 3____­__Letter from the EditorP 5__­____You can make a difference!P 7­13____Waiting for baby Jacob by Rachel O'NeillP 14__­___Branch ContactsP 19­21___Make Sweet Music!P 22­23___Breastfeeding Support: National and Local contactsP 2­______Birth AnnouncementsP 25­_____Branch Volunteer openingsP 27_____­Book Review: SupertatoP 29____­_Report on last Nearly New SaleP 32_____­Dates for your Diary

Our visionOur vision is a world in which parents are valued and supported to build a strong society, believingthat a child’s early years significantly impact upon the future they help to shape.

Our charitable purposeWe offer information and support in pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.We campaign to improve maternity care and ensure better services and facilities for new parents.We aim to give every parent the chance to make informed choices.We want to make sure that everyone has access to our services and activities.

Helpline: 0300 330 0700http://www.nct.org.uk/

© Eastbourne & District NCT Newsletter

Contents

Our cover star this spring edition is the lovely Ziva, age 2. Thanks to her mumKyla for sharing!

1

P 3____­__Letter from the EditorP 5__­____You can make a difference!P 7­13____Waiting for baby Jacob by Rachel O'NeillP 14__­___Branch ContactsP 19­21___Make Sweet Music!P 22­23___Breastfeeding Support: National and Local contactsP 2­______Birth AnnouncementsP 25­_____Branch Volunteer openingsP 27_____­Book Review: SupertatoP 29____­_Report on last Nearly New SaleP 32_____­Dates for your Diary

Our visionOur vision is a world in which parents are valued and supported to build a strong society, believingthat a child’s early years significantly impact upon the future they help to shape.

Our charitable purposeWe offer information and support in pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.We campaign to improve maternity care and ensure better services and facilities for new parents.We aim to give every parent the chance to make informed choices.We want to make sure that everyone has access to our services and activities.

Helpline: 0300 330 0700http://www.nct.org.uk/

© Eastbourne & District NCT Newsletter

Contents

Our cover star this spring edition is the lovely Ziva, age 2. Thanks to her mumKyla for sharing!

2

© 2014 NCT, Alexandra House, Oldham Terrace, London, W3 6NH. Registered charity numbers: England and Wales 801395; Scotland SC041592. Limited as a company: England and Wales 2370573

Nearly New Sales raise funds to help NCT provide support to parents

Bag a bargain Saturday July 16th 2016 At Ratton Secondary School in Eastbourne Open 10am for NCT Members 10:15am-12noon Open to All Admission Price £1.50 (in aid of NCT charity) For more information, or to hire a table please contact NNS.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Editor’s letter

Hello again! I can’t believe the spring is almost at a close. This edition is a bit later thanintended, and you have my apologies. The truth is, things have gotten increasingly busyand as I struggle to keep up, I have made the difficult decision to step down from thisrole. As you will see in a few places in this newsletter, we’re looking for someone to takeover as Newsletter Editor, and have several other volunteering opportunities available,whether you have a morning to give or a bit more. Please do think about it – thepleasure I’ve had from helping bring our members and people in the community ourbranch news, local parents’ stories, reviews, photos and more, has been great indeed. Ifeel really proud that we’ve started this newsletter back from scratch. I had absolutely noexperience doing anything like this, and I promise it was not that hard to learn. We havegreat support from other branch newsletters, our branch volunteers, from NCT headoffice, and from you, our readers. The software is easy to pick up and it’s all online andfree. So if you think you’d like to have a go at keeping this newsletter going you’d makea real difference to local parents and can pick up some valuable skills. Anyway – enoughof that! Inside you’re going to find a rather engrossing story by local parent RachelO’Neill about her very, very long pregnancy and how she and her partner made thedecision to let their baby come in his own time. You’ll also find the usual branch news,and little story I wrote about making music with your baby, along with local informationon breastfeeding support, a book review and a report on our last Nearly New Sale. Wehope you enjoy! As always, let me know what you think of the newsletter, and get intouch with any content you’d like to share: Newsletter.Editor@nct.org.uk

Annemieke Milks

Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is for the benefit of NCT (National Childbirth Trust)members and beneficiaries. It may be used only in connection with NCT activities and may not beused for any commercial purposes. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are notnecessarily those of NCT. The information contained in this newsletter should not be reproducedwithout the editor's consent in writing. The appearance of an advertisement in this newsletter doesnot imply endorsement of the company or its products by NCT, nor does it constitute arecommendation. However, it is always worth mentioning when replying to an advertisement thatyou saw it in an NCT newsletter. NCT cannot be held liable for loss, damage or injury arising out ofgoods sold through any advertisements in this newsletter.

3

© 2014 NCT, Alexandra House, Oldham Terrace, London, W3 6NH. Registered charity numbers: England and Wales 801395; Scotland SC041592. Limited as a company: England and Wales 2370573

Nearly New Sales raise funds to help NCT provide support to parents

Bag a bargain Saturday July 16th 2016 At Ratton Secondary School in Eastbourne Open 10am for NCT Members 10:15am-12noon Open to All Admission Price £1.50 (in aid of NCT charity) For more information, or to hire a table please contact NNS.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Editor’s letter

Hello again! I can’t believe the spring is almost at a close. This edition is a bit later thanintended, and you have my apologies. The truth is, things have gotten increasingly busyand as I struggle to keep up, I have made the difficult decision to step down from thisrole. As you will see in a few places in this newsletter, we’re looking for someone to takeover as Newsletter Editor, and have several other volunteering opportunities available,whether you have a morning to give or a bit more. Please do think about it – thepleasure I’ve had from helping bring our members and people in the community ourbranch news, local parents’ stories, reviews, photos and more, has been great indeed. Ifeel really proud that we’ve started this newsletter back from scratch. I had absolutely noexperience doing anything like this, and I promise it was not that hard to learn. We havegreat support from other branch newsletters, our branch volunteers, from NCT headoffice, and from you, our readers. The software is easy to pick up and it’s all online andfree. So if you think you’d like to have a go at keeping this newsletter going you’d makea real difference to local parents and can pick up some valuable skills. Anyway – enoughof that! Inside you’re going to find a rather engrossing story by local parent RachelO’Neill about her very, very long pregnancy and how she and her partner made thedecision to let their baby come in his own time. You’ll also find the usual branch news,and little story I wrote about making music with your baby, along with local informationon breastfeeding support, a book review and a report on our last Nearly New Sale. Wehope you enjoy! As always, let me know what you think of the newsletter, and get intouch with any content you’d like to share: Newsletter.Editor@nct.org.uk

Annemieke Milks

Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is for the benefit of NCT (National Childbirth Trust)members and beneficiaries. It may be used only in connection with NCT activities and may not beused for any commercial purposes. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are notnecessarily those of NCT. The information contained in this newsletter should not be reproducedwithout the editor's consent in writing. The appearance of an advertisement in this newsletter doesnot imply endorsement of the company or its products by NCT, nor does it constitute arecommendation. However, it is always worth mentioning when replying to an advertisement thatyou saw it in an NCT newsletter. NCT cannot be held liable for loss, damage or injury arising out ofgoods sold through any advertisements in this newsletter.

4

NCT AFTERNOON TEA Would you like to join us for tea? Our new weekly afternoon tea sessions are held at Cornfield Tea House with a member of the NCT branch. They offer support, friendship and a chance for parents and parents-to-be to meet other people with young children in a relaxed and informal environment. All children welcome They take place every Friday from 2pm-4pm, with NCT members being given a 10% discount off purchases at this time.

Introducing Solids Workshops Come along if ... you are a parent, grandparent or carer of a baby aged 3-6 months. Your baby is breastfed or bottle fed. You have already started giving your baby solids. Babies are welcome.

20th June 10:00 to 12:00 For more information or to book your place email Nicky bookings4p@nct.org.ukor call 0208 7529106

Baby first aid The courses are delivered by an expert British Red Cross trainer and will cover topics that typically concern parents such a delivering CPR, choking, burns and Meningitis. Babies are welcome. The course covers First Aid techniques for babies (0-1yrs) and children (1-12yrs) - suitable for parents, expectant parents and carers of babies and young children.

Monday 9th May 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm or Monday 18th July 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm at Community Wise, Eastbourne. Email Maria on FirstAid.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk for more information.

www.nct.org.uk/branches/eastbourne

5% off at the NCT shop Follow this link and enter BRNCT447 at the checkout to receive 5% off at the NCT Shop http://www.nctshopaffiliate.co.uk/187.html

Follow this link and enter BRNCT447 at the checkout to receive 5% off at the NCT Shop - http://www.nctshopaffiliate.co.uk/187.html

5

The charity also needs your support at branch level, as without it Eastbourne NCTwill struggle to provide the services it is proud to offer to parents and parents­to­be.

Various forms and levels of help are needed within this branch locally; perhaps youmight be able to help in any of the following ways…

1) To email every month parents to be (booked onto NCT antenatal classes) with allour branch information2) To get involved in the editing of this amazing newsletter to help keep parents upto date with the services we provide and other interesting information locally andacross the country3) To help out at one of sales in the café or on the door

If you have ever thought about volunteering – for however much or as little time asyou want to give, and in whatever capacity suits you best – then now is the time todo something about it. Volunteering enables you to meet other parents and dosomething worthwhile to make a difference for other new parents. Lots of peoplethink of volunteering but don’t because no one asked them, so I am asking you now!Do think of getting more involved and helping make sure this charity does continueto make a difference.

If you 'd like to find out more about contributing to the NCT as a volunteer please getin touch with your me at Coordinator.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Thank you

Ria Aldous­Brown, Branch Coordinator

You can make a difference!If you have benefited from any of Eastbourne’sNCT's services, please take a few minutes to readthis.

Thank you for being a part of NCT, whether you area member or someone who has attended one of ourevents. Your donations help the charity fund itscampaigning work and helps us provide informationand services.

6

Support other parentswith NCT CollegeIf you enjoy being a mum, why not support other parents and train asan NCT Antenatal Teacher, Breastfeeding Counsellor or PostnatalLeader?

Here are five reasons to consider it:

1. You can study for the NCT Foundation Degree either full­time orpart­time.

2. Most study is done at home through online learning supported byour experienced tutors, who are also qualified practitioners. Plus, ourstudy days and tutorials are held in regional locations.

3. We offer generous support with fees.

4. Once qualified you can choose to teach from courses running inyour local area.

5. We offer the only university­accredited qualifications in parentingeducation.

For more information, visit https://www.nct.org.uk/nct­college

Rachel has kindlyshared her birth storywith all of us. If you havean experience youwould like to write aboutfor this newsletter,please get in touch!Newsletter.Easbtourne@nct.org.uk

In the last edition of this Newsletter (Winter 2016) you readabout a premature baby. Well my baby was the other end ofthe spectrum and arrived 23 days past my ‘due date.’Although you don’t hear about these ‘prolonged pregnancies’that often, let me tell you there’s a whole community of 10­month mamas out there! This is our story…

My due date was 23rd April 2015. I knew this was fairlyaccurate because I knew exactly when we had conceivedand like most first time parents we focused on this date asbeing ‘D Day’ and were naturally a bit disappointed when the23rd came and went without so much as a tingle! I’d had areally healthy and straightforward pregnancy, I’d felt reallygood in myself and was enjoying the experience of growingthis little baby and all that comes with that. My partner Giles,and I had done A LOT of preparation for all that was to come,or so we thought!

We had decided early on in my pregnancy that we wanted tohave as natural and as sensitive a birth as possible. Weopted for a home, water birth and made plans to make it areally special experience. We took a Hypnobirthing course,which we both really embraced; I would listen to mymeditation and affirmation CD religiously as I drifted off tosleep each night and we would practice some of therelaxation exercises together in the evenings, which wasmore amusing then we think it was meant to be!

We had written out a clear birth plan so the midwife whowould attend our birth would know exactly what we wanted toachieve, which in essence, was a quiet, relaxed, naturalbirth, supported by people who recognised and respected thesensitivity of this little being and the importance of thismoment for our family. It’s hard to describe now, but wereally felt a sense of total trust in my body, our baby and usas a couple to birth this baby successfully, whenever thatmay be, avoiding any unnecessary medical intervention.

continues next page....

Waiting for baby JacobBy Rachel O'Neill

7

Rachel has kindlyshared her birth storywith all of us. If you havean experience youwould like to write aboutfor this newsletter,please get in touch!Newsletter.Easbtourne@nct.org.uk

In the last edition of this Newsletter (Winter 2016) you readabout a premature baby. Well my baby was the other end ofthe spectrum and arrived 23 days past my ‘due date.’Although you don’t hear about these ‘prolonged pregnancies’that often, let me tell you there’s a whole community of 10­month mamas out there! This is our story…

My due date was 23rd April 2015. I knew this was fairlyaccurate because I knew exactly when we had conceivedand like most first time parents we focused on this date asbeing ‘D Day’ and were naturally a bit disappointed when the23rd came and went without so much as a tingle! I’d had areally healthy and straightforward pregnancy, I’d felt reallygood in myself and was enjoying the experience of growingthis little baby and all that comes with that. My partner Giles,and I had done A LOT of preparation for all that was to come,or so we thought!

We had decided early on in my pregnancy that we wanted tohave as natural and as sensitive a birth as possible. Weopted for a home, water birth and made plans to make it areally special experience. We took a Hypnobirthing course,which we both really embraced; I would listen to mymeditation and affirmation CD religiously as I drifted off tosleep each night and we would practice some of therelaxation exercises together in the evenings, which wasmore amusing then we think it was meant to be!

We had written out a clear birth plan so the midwife whowould attend our birth would know exactly what we wanted toachieve, which in essence, was a quiet, relaxed, naturalbirth, supported by people who recognised and respected thesensitivity of this little being and the importance of thismoment for our family. It’s hard to describe now, but wereally felt a sense of total trust in my body, our baby and usas a couple to birth this baby successfully, whenever thatmay be, avoiding any unnecessary medical intervention.

continues next page....

Waiting for baby JacobBy Rachel O'Neill

8

The full NICE (NationalInstitute for Health andCare Excellence)guidelines on Inductionof Labour can be readhere:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg70/evidence/full­guideline­241871149

Now, I never really expected my baby to arrive on my duedate, I had heard that only about 5% of babies arrive bang ontime so I knew the chances were pretty slim. Butnevertheless we never imagined that our baby would take sovery long to come, and it certainly wasn’t something we hadreally prepared ourselves for.

I remember my midwife at my 38 week appointment saying Icould have a cervical sweep if I wanted, I confidentlydeclined, as I felt sure that my baby would come when hewas ready. At my 40 week check up I was offered a sweepagain, again I declined and my midwife started saying shewould book an induction for 10 days time! I immediately felt asense of panic and powerlessness as her manner impliedthat this was the process and I was expected to go alongwith it. Giles and I had already agreed that we did not want tobe induced unless there was a medical need for it and so farthere was no indication that there was anything wrong withmy baby or me, so we declined to get an induction booked –which did throw the midwife a little! We saw her a week later,and she referred us to the Day Unit at the hospital as now Iwas considered a ‘high risk’ case even though nothing hadactually changed other than the fact I hadn’t given birth yet(at this point I was just 7 days beyond my due date). It’sworth noting here that full term in the UK is considered 40weeks, but in some European countries it is 41 weeks, sohad I been elsewhere in Europe I’d just be hitting my duedate!

Both NICE Antenatal Care Guideline (NCCWCH, 2008) andthe Induction of Labour Guideline (NICE, 2008) recommendthat women in the UK with uncomplicated pregnanciesshould be offered an induction of labor (IOL) between 41+0and 42+0 weeks to avoid the risk of prolonged pregnancy(anything past 42 weeks gestation). Now the wording here isimportant: women should be ‘offered’, and at no point did themedical staff that we encountered present the induction as achoice, but more of a case of this is what is going to happen

continues next page...

Waiting for baby JacobContinued We happily agreed to regular CCG

monitoring (every other day) and a scanwas arranged for two days later to checkthe baby’s growth, blood flow andplacental functioning. It was important tohave all the information we could get tomake an informed choice, and knowinghow our baby was doing would obviouslyhelp us to make the best decision.

During this time, Giles and I armedourselves with lots of research and factsin order to inform our decision­making.We weren’t declining induction to bedifficult; we were declining because wetruly believed that it was not the rightthing for our baby and us, based on thefact that we were all fit and well. Weknew that for as many risks of not beinginduced there were an equal number ofrisks associated with being induced.

From our own research we understoodthat stillbirth is the primary reason forIOL, but that at 41 weeks gestation theevidence supporting a policy of IOL isunclear. The National Institute of ClinicalExcellence Guidelines (NICE, 2008)acknowledge that an arbitrary time limithas been suggested because it is

...continues next page

and this really unsettled us. If we had apound for every time someone said to us– ‘oh they won’t let you go much further’or something of that nature we’d be veryrich! It really frustrated us that medicalstaff and people in general seemed to beunder the impression that my body wasnot my own and that it was in the handsof the hospital. People seem to genuinelybelieve that you are obliged to acceptmajor medical interventions and that youhave no say in the matter – which is bothscary and not true!

As a ‘high risk’ case we were now underconsultant­led care, so we went in on 5thMay for CCG monitoring, which showedthat the baby was alive and well. Aconsultant spoke to us about the risks ofdeclining an induction in a verythreatening kind of way. I can’t recall thewords she used exactly now, but shepretty much asked us if we wanted ourbaby to die! Which of course was not inany way our goal. We asked her for theevidence base for her recommendationthat we should agree to an induction andshe told us she could not give us theexact figures, as she couldn’t remembereverything!!! Needless to say we werepretty astounded at this point by theconsultant’s approach to us.

At no point during her discussions with usdid she share information about the risksassociated with induction of labour. TheRoyal College of Obstetricians andGynaecologists (RCOG) say that whilst anumber of maternal and neonatal risksare thought to be associated with postterm deliveries, there is little evidence tosubstantiate these and women should begiven information to ensure they fullyunderstand the choices they are makingregarding accepting / declining IOL.

Shared Experiences Helpline

Our Shared Experiences Helpline supportsparents who are experiencing specificdifficulties, problems, worries or other issuesduring pregnancy, birth and early parenthoodby putting them in touch with someone whopersonally understands.If you or someone you know needs the supportof the Shared Experiences Helpline, call 0300330 0700 on Monday ­ Friday from 9am –7pm. You can leave a message outside ofthese hours and someone will call you back.

9

The full NICE (NationalInstitute for Health andCare Excellence)guidelines on Inductionof Labour can be readhere:

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg70/evidence/full­guideline­241871149

Now, I never really expected my baby to arrive on my duedate, I had heard that only about 5% of babies arrive bang ontime so I knew the chances were pretty slim. Butnevertheless we never imagined that our baby would take sovery long to come, and it certainly wasn’t something we hadreally prepared ourselves for.

I remember my midwife at my 38 week appointment saying Icould have a cervical sweep if I wanted, I confidentlydeclined, as I felt sure that my baby would come when hewas ready. At my 40 week check up I was offered a sweepagain, again I declined and my midwife started saying shewould book an induction for 10 days time! I immediately felt asense of panic and powerlessness as her manner impliedthat this was the process and I was expected to go alongwith it. Giles and I had already agreed that we did not want tobe induced unless there was a medical need for it and so farthere was no indication that there was anything wrong withmy baby or me, so we declined to get an induction booked –which did throw the midwife a little! We saw her a week later,and she referred us to the Day Unit at the hospital as now Iwas considered a ‘high risk’ case even though nothing hadactually changed other than the fact I hadn’t given birth yet(at this point I was just 7 days beyond my due date). It’sworth noting here that full term in the UK is considered 40weeks, but in some European countries it is 41 weeks, sohad I been elsewhere in Europe I’d just be hitting my duedate!

Both NICE Antenatal Care Guideline (NCCWCH, 2008) andthe Induction of Labour Guideline (NICE, 2008) recommendthat women in the UK with uncomplicated pregnanciesshould be offered an induction of labor (IOL) between 41+0and 42+0 weeks to avoid the risk of prolonged pregnancy(anything past 42 weeks gestation). Now the wording here isimportant: women should be ‘offered’, and at no point did themedical staff that we encountered present the induction as achoice, but more of a case of this is what is going to happen

continues next page...

Waiting for baby JacobContinued We happily agreed to regular CCG

monitoring (every other day) and a scanwas arranged for two days later to checkthe baby’s growth, blood flow andplacental functioning. It was important tohave all the information we could get tomake an informed choice, and knowinghow our baby was doing would obviouslyhelp us to make the best decision.

During this time, Giles and I armedourselves with lots of research and factsin order to inform our decision­making.We weren’t declining induction to bedifficult; we were declining because wetruly believed that it was not the rightthing for our baby and us, based on thefact that we were all fit and well. Weknew that for as many risks of not beinginduced there were an equal number ofrisks associated with being induced.

From our own research we understoodthat stillbirth is the primary reason forIOL, but that at 41 weeks gestation theevidence supporting a policy of IOL isunclear. The National Institute of ClinicalExcellence Guidelines (NICE, 2008)acknowledge that an arbitrary time limithas been suggested because it is

...continues next page

and this really unsettled us. If we had apound for every time someone said to us– ‘oh they won’t let you go much further’or something of that nature we’d be veryrich! It really frustrated us that medicalstaff and people in general seemed to beunder the impression that my body wasnot my own and that it was in the handsof the hospital. People seem to genuinelybelieve that you are obliged to acceptmajor medical interventions and that youhave no say in the matter – which is bothscary and not true!

As a ‘high risk’ case we were now underconsultant­led care, so we went in on 5thMay for CCG monitoring, which showedthat the baby was alive and well. Aconsultant spoke to us about the risks ofdeclining an induction in a verythreatening kind of way. I can’t recall thewords she used exactly now, but shepretty much asked us if we wanted ourbaby to die! Which of course was not inany way our goal. We asked her for theevidence base for her recommendationthat we should agree to an induction andshe told us she could not give us theexact figures, as she couldn’t remembereverything!!! Needless to say we werepretty astounded at this point by theconsultant’s approach to us.

At no point during her discussions with usdid she share information about the risksassociated with induction of labour. TheRoyal College of Obstetricians andGynaecologists (RCOG) say that whilst anumber of maternal and neonatal risksare thought to be associated with postterm deliveries, there is little evidence tosubstantiate these and women should begiven information to ensure they fullyunderstand the choices they are makingregarding accepting / declining IOL.

Shared Experiences Helpline

Our Shared Experiences Helpline supportsparents who are experiencing specificdifficulties, problems, worries or other issuesduring pregnancy, birth and early parenthoodby putting them in touch with someone whopersonally understands.If you or someone you know needs the supportof the Shared Experiences Helpline, call 0300330 0700 on Monday ­ Friday from 9am –7pm. You can leave a message outside ofthese hours and someone will call you back.

10

The NICE Guidelines (2008)acknowledge the risks of IOL as listedabove and state that women should beinformed of those risks, but not one of theconsultants that recommended inductionwent through these risks with us.

May 7th came and the monitoring andscan showed that all was well, and therewas no sign of deterioration of myplacenta. It also showed that our babyboy had a lot of hair! We spoke toanother consultant who was much morebalanced in his views, although herecommended that we now have ahospital birth as we were ‘high risk’ eventhough still nothing had changed. Weadvised we were still intending on ahome birth – midwives have a duty to bepresent at a birth wherever the motherchooses to birth her baby so we knewthat they could not refuse our home birthwhile this was our wish. He was satisfiedthat we were making an informed choiceand that at that time the baby was well sothere was no medical need for aninduction.

We continued with regular monitoring andduring the days that passed I dideverything known to man to help inducelabour naturally. I ate all sorts of curries,

continues next page...

unknown when it is better to induce thanto leave the fetus in the womb. Exactlywho is at risk is also unknown, thereforeNICE recommend a blanket policy of IOLfor all women.

We also understood that the risk ofstillbirth does increase for post termpregnancies but the ‘the absolute risk ofperinatal death is small’ (Gulmezoglu etal., 2012 p.2). We also carefully balancedthat small risk against the known risks ofinduction:

• IOL (Induction of Labour) has an impacton the birth experience of women• IOL is usually more painful thanspontaneous labor• IOL may be less efficient• Epidural analgesia and assisted deliveryare more likely to be required• IOL (dependant on method) may causeuterine hyper stimulation, uterine rupture,fetal distress or cord prolapsed• When labour was induced usingpharmacological methods (whether or notsurgical induction was also attempted)less than two thirds of women gave birthwithout further intervention, with about15% having instrumental births and 22%having emergency caesarean sections• In the event of failed IOL Caesarean willbe discussed(NICE, 2008)

An induced labour normally means thatcontinuous fetal monitoring is requiredwhich itself increases the risk of acaesarean and assisted births. IOL risksforcing the body into something it is notready to do, due to the complex hormonalinteraction that primes the mother’s bodyand cervix. IOL may cause additionalproblems, including prematurity and lackof full uterine maturity.

For more information about being overdue andinduction of labour visit:

https://www.nct.org.uk/birth/what­happens­if­my­baby­‘late’

desperately wanted to avoid.

Thankfully (or so I thought) my watersbroke at midnight on Wednesday 13thMay, I went back in on the next day to bemonitored and have another scan, bothreported that all was still well with ourbaby. I was having very inconsistentcontractions, there was no regular patternand by Friday afternoon they hadstopped altogether! By this point becausemy waters had broken and the risk ofinfection was now present we had agreedto abandon our plan for a home birth andsaid that we would go into hospital for thebirth whatever was to happen. I felt reallysad about this, but knew that it was thesafest option for our baby.Once the contractions had stopped I hadaccepted that induction was inevitableand we were due to arrive at Brighton for9 am. I did feel terribly upset that thingsseemed to be going so wrong and beganto wonder if all this time (23 days by now)had been a waste, but Giles wasamazing and he helped me work itthrough so that I was able to accept andembrace the way things where unfolding.I can’t remember exactly what Giles said

continues next page...

'Jacob Valentine Jameswas born safe and well at3:59 am on Saturday 16thMay 2015, weighing 7lb7oz (the last scan I hadpredicted that he weighedover 9lbs!), 23days dayspast his due date!'

about 94 pineapples, went for bumpydrives, and even did the thing that got usinto this situation in the first place! I hadseveral sessions of acupuncture,reflexology, I meditated like I’ve nevermeditated before and walked miles uponmiles with still no success. I did begin towonder if my baby would ever come out.Certainly as the days went on doubtbegan to creep in, and I worried if I wasendangering my baby’s life, but Gilesand I spoke so much about it and deepdown we both truly believed our babywould come when he was ready and thatforcing him out before that time wasmore detrimental to him. It’s fair to saythat we definitely felt the heavy weight oftaking these decisions into our ownhands, and it would have been so mucheasier for us to have blindly accepted theinduction that nearly got booked at that40­week appointment, but we are soglad that we trusted ourselves. I didfinally accept a membrane sweep on11th May (18 days overdue) as that feltthe least invasive of all the options thatwere available to us at that point. Itwasn’t very successful so I had a secondone two days later. By this point Gilesand I had put a time limit on the situationourselves and had booked an inductionfor 16th May. We booked at Brightonand if our baby didn’t make anappearance before then, then we wouldreluctantly go in to be induced,something I so

11

desperately wanted to avoid.

Thankfully (or so I thought) my watersbroke at midnight on Wednesday 13thMay, I went back in on the next day to bemonitored and have another scan, bothreported that all was still well with ourbaby. I was having very inconsistentcontractions, there was no regular patternand by Friday afternoon they hadstopped altogether! By this point becausemy waters had broken and the risk ofinfection was now present we had agreedto abandon our plan for a home birth andsaid that we would go into hospital for thebirth whatever was to happen. I felt reallysad about this, but knew that it was thesafest option for our baby.Once the contractions had stopped I hadaccepted that induction was inevitableand we were due to arrive at Brighton for9 am. I did feel terribly upset that thingsseemed to be going so wrong and beganto wonder if all this time (23 days by now)had been a waste, but Giles wasamazing and he helped me work itthrough so that I was able to accept andembrace the way things where unfolding.I can’t remember exactly what Giles said

continues next page...

'Jacob Valentine Jameswas born safe and well at3:59 am on Saturday 16thMay 2015, weighing 7lb7oz (the last scan I hadpredicted that he weighedover 9lbs!), 23days dayspast his due date!'

about 94 pineapples, went for bumpydrives, and even did the thing that got usinto this situation in the first place! I hadseveral sessions of acupuncture,reflexology, I meditated like I’ve nevermeditated before and walked miles uponmiles with still no success. I did begin towonder if my baby would ever come out.Certainly as the days went on doubtbegan to creep in, and I worried if I wasendangering my baby’s life, but Gilesand I spoke so much about it and deepdown we both truly believed our babywould come when he was ready and thatforcing him out before that time wasmore detrimental to him. It’s fair to saythat we definitely felt the heavy weight oftaking these decisions into our ownhands, and it would have been so mucheasier for us to have blindly accepted theinduction that nearly got booked at that40­week appointment, but we are soglad that we trusted ourselves. I didfinally accept a membrane sweep on11th May (18 days overdue) as that feltthe least invasive of all the options thatwere available to us at that point. Itwasn’t very successful so I had a secondone two days later. By this point Gilesand I had put a time limit on the situationourselves and had booked an inductionfor 16th May. We booked at Brightonand if our baby didn’t make anappearance before then, then we wouldreluctantly go in to be induced,something I so

12

she could not tell which way the babywas facing. I think she thought he wasbreech but I knew he wasn’t as we’d hadthe scan the day before. So she thoughtthen he must be face presentation – Ididn’t even know that was a possibility letalone a problem. Apparently dependingon which way they are facing you mayneed a cesarean. So we were transferredby ambulance for a consultant to checkour baby’s positioning. We ended up inHastings, and within a few minutes theconsultant did her checks and confirmedhe was face presentation but back toback which meant that it was safe todeliver him naturally. By this point I’d hadenough and all my natural birth wisheswent out the window and I was like ‘justpull him out’, but the staff were amazingand told me I could do it myself and I didwith the support of Giles and a LOT ofgas and air!

Jacob Valentine James was born safeand well at 3:59 am on Saturday 16thMay 2015, weighing 7lb 7oz (the lastscan I had predicted that he weighedover 9lbs!), 23days days past his duedate! He was utterly perfect althoughadmittedly he looked like he'd done ten

continues next page...

now, but I knew that he was with me100% however it would play out and thatfelt so amazing that I was able toimmediately relax and then surprise,surprise my contractions kicked in!

Again they were still quite irregular. Icouldn’t get comfy in bed as I was in a bitof pain so decided to have a bath in themiddle of the night, Giles said he woulduse that time to get some sleep! To befair, neither of us had slept properly sincemy waters broke as contractions hadbeen on and off for the past two days. Mycontractions were so irregular I had evengiven up on timing them. Being in thebath really helped with the pain, and mycontractions began to quicken whensuddenly I started to push! Giles shotdownstairs as he heard me ­ as he calls it­ ‘mooing’! He couldn’t believe it when Isaid I needed to push. He called thematernity unit who advised him to ring anambulance and they said they’d send amidwife. The ambulance men wereamazing and it was reassuring to knowone had delivered a few babies includinghis own!

The midwife turned up and did anexamination and to our shock reportedthat I was fully dilated (hypnobirthingreally works!), but she was concerned as

NCT antenatal courses provide lots ofinformation about pregancy and birth, allowyou time to understand the different choicesthat are available to you so you can make yourown informed decision about what's best foryou and your baby

Find a course now on www.nct.org.uk

rounds with Mike Tyson, as due to the facepresentation he had lots of swelling andbruising but this rapidly disappeared. Staffthought that the delay of my labour couldhave been due to the fact that he was facepresentation but they don’t know that forsure.

Jacob was monitored for 24 hours in hospitalfor signs of infection, but was totally fine sohe didn't need any antibiotics in the end(there was no time for me to have themduring labour). The consultant was soamazed that he was born healthy despitebeing so overdue that she asked ourpermission to write a journal article about ourcase, which we readily agreed to, as it isimportant to us that more research is doneinto the risks vs benefits of prolongedpregnancies.

Although the birth we had was not at all howwe planned, in a funny kind of way the

essence of the experience is exactly howwe planned – the bottom line for Giles and Iwas that we felt in control, informed andpart of the decision making. While we hadto assert our rights at different points in thejourney, by the 3rd time we’d been in formonitoring staff were able to see that wewere making informed decisions that we feltbest for our situation.

As I’ve already said it wasn’t that doubtdidn’t come into it, but somewhere deepinside I knew that my body was built to dothis and that my baby instinctively knewhow to be born, and that those two thingswith the unwavering love and support fromGiles would allow things to unfold in theway they were always meant to.

References

Gulmezoglu, A.M., Crowther, C.A.,Middleton, P, and Heatley, E. 2014.Induction of labour for improving birthoutcomes for women at or beyond term.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. ; 6:CD004945.doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004945.pub3.

Further Reading

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy­and­baby/pages/induction­labour.aspx#

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg70/ifp/chapter/Your­care

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/oct/01/pregnant­for­10­months

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3231911/

Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is for the benefit of NCT (National Childbirth Trust) members andbeneficiaries. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of NCT. Theinformation contained in this newsletter should not be reproduced without the editor's consent in writing.

13

rounds with Mike Tyson, as due to the facepresentation he had lots of swelling andbruising but this rapidly disappeared. Staffthought that the delay of my labour couldhave been due to the fact that he was facepresentation but they don’t know that forsure.

Jacob was monitored for 24 hours in hospitalfor signs of infection, but was totally fine sohe didn't need any antibiotics in the end(there was no time for me to have themduring labour). The consultant was soamazed that he was born healthy despitebeing so overdue that she asked ourpermission to write a journal article about ourcase, which we readily agreed to, as it isimportant to us that more research is doneinto the risks vs benefits of prolongedpregnancies.

Although the birth we had was not at all howwe planned, in a funny kind of way the

essence of the experience is exactly howwe planned – the bottom line for Giles and Iwas that we felt in control, informed andpart of the decision making. While we hadto assert our rights at different points in thejourney, by the 3rd time we’d been in formonitoring staff were able to see that wewere making informed decisions that we feltbest for our situation.

As I’ve already said it wasn’t that doubtdidn’t come into it, but somewhere deepinside I knew that my body was built to dothis and that my baby instinctively knewhow to be born, and that those two thingswith the unwavering love and support fromGiles would allow things to unfold in theway they were always meant to.

References

Gulmezoglu, A.M., Crowther, C.A.,Middleton, P, and Heatley, E. 2014.Induction of labour for improving birthoutcomes for women at or beyond term.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. ; 6:CD004945.doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004945.pub3.

Further Reading

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy­and­baby/pages/induction­labour.aspx#

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg70/ifp/chapter/Your­care

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/oct/01/pregnant­for­10­months

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3231911/

Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is for the benefit of NCT (National Childbirth Trust) members andbeneficiaries. The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of NCT. Theinformation contained in this newsletter should not be reproduced without the editor's consent in writing.

14

@NCTEastbourne

NCT Eastbourne

www.pinterest.com/NCTcharity/

Main branch contact:Eastbourne@nct.org.ukAntenatal Courses: 0844 243 6913Local Breastfeeding counsellors Sam Williams 07940535876, Allison Allart, D Dharmavandana: 0300 330 0771

Website address: http://www.nct.org.uk/branches/eastbourneFacebook page:_https://www.facebook.com/NcT.Eastbourne

NCT helpline: 0300 330 0700NCT website: www.nct.org.ukNCT Shop number: (all profits go to charity): 0845 8100 100NCT Shop wesbite: www.nctshop.co.uk

Branch Contacts

Branch Coordinator Ria Aldous­Brown_______________ Coordinator.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Branch Membership Coordinator Claire Mayhew______Membership.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Newsletter Editor Annemieke Milks___________________Newsletter.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Newletter Advertiser Coordinator Ria Aldous­Brown____ Advertising.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Parent Services Administrator Link Anna Salmon_________PSAlink.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Baby First Aid Coordinator Maria Brand_________________FirstAid.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Joint Parent Support CoordinatorsRebecca MacPhail, Hannah Hanraty_______________­ParentSupport.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Nearly New Sale Coordinator Liz Rowland _________________NNS.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Branch Treasurer Ben Henderson­____________________Treasurer.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

General Enquiries_________________________________________ Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

@NCTEastbourne

NCT Eastbourne

www.pinterest.com/NCTcharity/

Main branch contact:Eastbourne@nct.org.ukAntenatal Courses: 0844 243 6913Local Breastfeeding counsellors Sam Williams 07940535876, Allison Allart, D Dharmavandana: 0300 330 0771

Website address: http://www.nct.org.uk/branches/eastbourneFacebook page:_https://www.facebook.com/NcT.Eastbourne

NCT helpline: 0300 330 0700NCT website: www.nct.org.ukNCT Shop number: (all profits go to charity): 0845 8100 100NCT Shop wesbite: www.nctshop.co.uk

Branch Contacts

Branch Coordinator Ria Aldous­Brown_______________ Coordinator.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Branch Membership Coordinator Claire Mayhew______Membership.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Newsletter Editor Annemieke Milks___________________Newsletter.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Newletter Advertiser Coordinator Ria Aldous­Brown____ Advertising.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Parent Services Administrator Link Anna Salmon_________PSAlink.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Baby First Aid Coordinator Maria Brand_________________FirstAid.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Joint Parent Support CoordinatorsRebecca MacPhail, Hannah Hanraty_______________­ParentSupport.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Nearly New Sale Coordinator Liz Rowland _________________NNS.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Branch Treasurer Ben Henderson­____________________Treasurer.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

General Enquiries_________________________________________ Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

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Softplay hire service: with colourful soft play shapes, ballpool, tunnels, slide and more!Ideal for 0-5 year olds.

Happyjacks play sessions:come and join the fun (designatedbaby area) for 0-4 year olds.

Happyjacks Tumblers:fun pre-school

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www.happyjackssoftplay.co.uk

PLUS affordable, pay as you go gymnastics for 4-12 year olds. First class FREE!For more information or to book a place

call Jaki on 07738 381384 or visit the website

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All products come with a guarantee of quality and safety and arrive in a like-new condition offering a top quality, truly ‘green’ alternative to the expense of purchasing.

NCT Shop now offers a range of rental options for parents looking to save on baby travel equipment. Choose from top quality products including Bedside Cots, Pushchairs, Carry Cots and Car Seats, all available to hire on a 6 month basis.

www.nctshop.co.uk | 08458 100 100

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des-265

humans are great at, and having fun iswhat it’s all about. Here are some helpfultips to get you started.

Make up songs:

Tunes: Just be silly together! Pick anobject and make up a song about it(maybe a favourite teddy or a food yourlittle one hates ­ have a laugh!). See ifyou can rhyme words. At first you canstart trying to put words to a tune youalready know. Then experiment withmaking up simple tunes, maybe withoutany words just a ‘lalala’ will do. As youhave fun together, you’ll get moreconfident. Try singing fast, slow, loud andsoft. Change the speed of a song youknow ­ sing a lullaby like ‘Hush little baby’quickly or ‘Row row row the boat’ veryslowly.

continues next page...

You might have heard about a recentstudy showing that making music at homewith your little one may have even greaterbenefits than reading to them. There areof course music classes and DVDs (infact a whole commercial empire) set up torelieve you of some of your hard­earnedcash in exchange for upping your baby’sIQ by exposing them to music, withquestionable results. It’s actually reallysimple to make music with your baby athome, even if you think you are ‘tonedeaf’ (actually, almost nobody is trulytone deaf). What makes this study sointeresting is that the biggest benefits arefrom making music with your baby,informally, at home. To get social,emotional and intellectual benefits, createshared musical experiences at home,together with your child. But while it’seasy to know how to read to your child,lots of parents feel a little scared, silly orjust stuck about making music at home.Playing around with sound is something

Make sweet music!by Annemieke Milks

19

humans are great at, and having fun iswhat it’s all about. Here are some helpfultips to get you started.

Make up songs:

Tunes: Just be silly together! Pick anobject and make up a song about it(maybe a favourite teddy or a food yourlittle one hates ­ have a laugh!). See ifyou can rhyme words. At first you canstart trying to put words to a tune youalready know. Then experiment withmaking up simple tunes, maybe withoutany words just a ‘lalala’ will do. As youhave fun together, you’ll get moreconfident. Try singing fast, slow, loud andsoft. Change the speed of a song youknow ­ sing a lullaby like ‘Hush little baby’quickly or ‘Row row row the boat’ veryslowly.

continues next page...

You might have heard about a recentstudy showing that making music at homewith your little one may have even greaterbenefits than reading to them. There areof course music classes and DVDs (infact a whole commercial empire) set up torelieve you of some of your hard­earnedcash in exchange for upping your baby’sIQ by exposing them to music, withquestionable results. It’s actually reallysimple to make music with your baby athome, even if you think you are ‘tonedeaf’ (actually, almost nobody is trulytone deaf). What makes this study sointeresting is that the biggest benefits arefrom making music with your baby,informally, at home. To get social,emotional and intellectual benefits, createshared musical experiences at home,together with your child. But while it’seasy to know how to read to your child,lots of parents feel a little scared, silly orjust stuck about making music at home.Playing around with sound is something

Make sweet music!by Annemieke Milks

20

materials. This looks pretty too. Justmake sure it’s really sealed so your littleone can’t open it and pop things in thetheir mouth.

Good old­fashioned pots and woodenspoons still work wonders if you can bearthe racket!

Make a bell bracelet or anklet with somelarge bells from the craft store and astretchy band. Sew them on really well sothey can’t be removed and swallowed.

Make a little guitar using an old box andsome rubber bands stretched across it(supervise little ones with the rubberbands!).

Then use your instruments together tomake up more songs! Or play the rhythmalong to some favourite tunes likeTwinkle Twinkle.

continues next page...

Rhythm and movement:

Use familiar words to make up rhythms.Examples borrowed from more formalmusic classes would include ‘But­ter­fly’(fast­fast slow), ‘Ca­ter­pill­ar’ (fast­fast­fast­fast), ‘worm’ (slow) etc. Or fruit workstoo:‘app­le, app­le, pear, pear, straw­ber­ry,plum!’ (My mum used to cut out paperfruit and stick them to the floor, when westepped on it we had to say the fruitname in rhythm!). Clap along.

Bounce around, or up and down on yourlap, to the rhythm of a song you bothknow.

Make some instruments:

Make a rain stick out of a poster tube,with pebbles, sand or shells inside.

Make shakers. You can use clear plasticbottles, and add any number of different

Share your ideas forinformal music making onour facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/NcT.Eastbourne/

21

materials. This looks pretty too. Justmake sure it’s really sealed so your littleone can’t open it and pop things in thetheir mouth.

Good old­fashioned pots and woodenspoons still work wonders if you can bearthe racket!

Make a bell bracelet or anklet with somelarge bells from the craft store and astretchy band. Sew them on really well sothey can’t be removed and swallowed.

Make a little guitar using an old box andsome rubber bands stretched across it(supervise little ones with the rubberbands!).

Then use your instruments together tomake up more songs! Or play the rhythmalong to some favourite tunes likeTwinkle Twinkle.

continues next page...

Rhythm and movement:

Use familiar words to make up rhythms.Examples borrowed from more formalmusic classes would include ‘But­ter­fly’(fast­fast slow), ‘Ca­ter­pill­ar’ (fast­fast­fast­fast), ‘worm’ (slow) etc. Or fruit workstoo:‘app­le, app­le, pear, pear, straw­ber­ry,plum!’ (My mum used to cut out paperfruit and stick them to the floor, when westepped on it we had to say the fruitname in rhythm!). Clap along.

Bounce around, or up and down on yourlap, to the rhythm of a song you bothknow.

Make some instruments:

Make a rain stick out of a poster tube,with pebbles, sand or shells inside.

Make shakers. You can use clear plasticbottles, and add any number of different

Share your ideas forinformal music making onour facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/NcT.Eastbourne/

Make Sweet MusicContinued

The study is part of alarger project looking atearly musicaldevelopment. You canwatch a short video clipabout it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=92&v=ONLYdCFjVd4

Using recordings for music and movement:

Home sing­a­longs to music you love are great allowinga physical and emotional connection to music. Usescarves, ribbons, instruments and other toys to move tothe music, fast or slow, loud or quiet. Choose a variety ofdifferent styles, including music you might not normallylisten to. YouTube is a great resource for finding differentstyles (but maybe hide the video because this is aboutlistening and moving, not watching).

Classes are great too of course, but do try to make sometime to play at making music at home with your little one.Happy tunes everyone!

22

BreastfeedingsupportFor when the going gets tough

You can get help from your midwife, health visitor or peer supporter. Call yourlocal GP to arrange.

Local NCT Breastfeeding counsellorsSam Williams: 07940 535876,D Dharmavandana and Allison Allart via NCT Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300330 0771 web: http://www.nct.org.uk/parenting/feeding

The Breastfeeding NetworkHelpline: 0300 100 0212web: http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/

La Leche LeagueHelpline: 0845 120 2918web: https://www.laleche.org.uk/content/get­support

Association of Breastfeeding MothersSupport by phone or chatHelpline: 0300 330 5453web: abm.me.uk

www.breastfeedingfacts.co.uk offers a new mobile app, giving you a mapwith local breastfeeding­friendly places and groups, helpful tips, real­lifemums giving support on attachment and support available to you both locallyand online.

East Sussex Baby guide: http://www.healthyeastbourne.org.uk/wp­content/uploads/2013/05/east­sussex­baby­guide1.pdf

Disclaimer: While we have looked over these pages, our branch cannot take responsibility for anyof the content of these external pages.

Breastfeeding supportLocal Groups

NCT Eastbourne: All welcome to these groups!What: Bumps and Babies group, offers peer supportWhen: Every Wednesday 10am­12pmWhere: Community Wise, Ocklynge Rd, Old Town 01323 722924

What: Afternoon Tea, offers peer supportWhen: Every Friday 2­4 pmWhere: Cornfield Tea House, 26 Cornfield Road, Eastbourne BN21 4QH

Shinewater Children’s CentreWhat: Breastfeeding supportWhen: Every Thursday 9:30am­11:00amWhere: Milfoil Drive, Eastbourne BN23 7ED 01323 464170

Hampden Park Children’s CentreWhat: Peer supportWhen: Thursdays 10am­11:30amWhere: Hampden Park Health Centre, Brodrick Close, Eastbourne BN22 9NQ,01323 464144

Eastbourne DGH Maternity UnitWhat: Drop­in breastfeeding group, support only, babies up to 6 weeksWhen: Monday 10:00am­11:00amWhere: Eastbourne DGH, 01323 417400

Seaford Children’s CentreWhat: Drop­in groups with breastfeeding practicioners who offer advice andsupportWhen: Wednesdays 1:30­2:30 pm, Fridays 1:00­2:00 pmWhere: Cradle Hill School, Lexden Road, Seaford, BN25 3BA 01323 464 550

Polegate LibraryWhat: Baby clinics, breastfeeding supportWhen: Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 10:00am­11:30amWhere: Polegate Library, Windsor Way, Polegate BN26 6QF 01323 464340

Hailsham Children’s CentreWhat: Breastfeeding support service,When: Ring to access support: 01323 464340Where: Vega Close, BN27 2JZ

23

BreastfeedingsupportFor when the going gets tough

You can get help from your midwife, health visitor or peer supporter. Call yourlocal GP to arrange.

Local NCT Breastfeeding counsellorsSam Williams: 07940 535876,D Dharmavandana and Allison Allart via NCT Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300330 0771 web: http://www.nct.org.uk/parenting/feeding

The Breastfeeding NetworkHelpline: 0300 100 0212web: http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/

La Leche LeagueHelpline: 0845 120 2918web: https://www.laleche.org.uk/content/get­support

Association of Breastfeeding MothersSupport by phone or chatHelpline: 0300 330 5453web: abm.me.uk

www.breastfeedingfacts.co.uk offers a new mobile app, giving you a mapwith local breastfeeding­friendly places and groups, helpful tips, real­lifemums giving support on attachment and support available to you both locallyand online.

East Sussex Baby guide: http://www.healthyeastbourne.org.uk/wp­content/uploads/2013/05/east­sussex­baby­guide1.pdf

Disclaimer: While we have looked over these pages, our branch cannot take responsibility for anyof the content of these external pages.

Breastfeeding supportLocal Groups

NCT Eastbourne: All welcome to these groups!What: Bumps and Babies group, offers peer supportWhen: Every Wednesday 10am­12pmWhere: Community Wise, Ocklynge Rd, Old Town 01323 722924

What: Afternoon Tea, offers peer supportWhen: Every Friday 2­4 pmWhere: Cornfield Tea House, 26 Cornfield Road, Eastbourne BN21 4QH

Shinewater Children’s CentreWhat: Breastfeeding supportWhen: Every Thursday 9:30am­11:00amWhere: Milfoil Drive, Eastbourne BN23 7ED 01323 464170

Hampden Park Children’s CentreWhat: Peer supportWhen: Thursdays 10am­11:30amWhere: Hampden Park Health Centre, Brodrick Close, Eastbourne BN22 9NQ,01323 464144

Eastbourne DGH Maternity UnitWhat: Drop­in breastfeeding group, support only, babies up to 6 weeksWhen: Monday 10:00am­11:00amWhere: Eastbourne DGH, 01323 417400

Seaford Children’s CentreWhat: Drop­in groups with breastfeeding practicioners who offer advice andsupportWhen: Wednesdays 1:30­2:30 pm, Fridays 1:00­2:00 pmWhere: Cradle Hill School, Lexden Road, Seaford, BN25 3BA 01323 464 550

Polegate LibraryWhat: Baby clinics, breastfeeding supportWhen: Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday 10:00am­11:30amWhere: Polegate Library, Windsor Way, Polegate BN26 6QF 01323 464340

Hailsham Children’s CentreWhat: Breastfeeding support service,When: Ring to access support: 01323 464340Where: Vega Close, BN27 2JZ

24

Welcome to the world!

Edward Sutherland born to Kate and Scott 18.11.15

Caleb Thomas James Austin born to Carole and Philip 28.12.15

Olivia Emma Tiernan born to Louise and Tim 03.01.16

Juliette Emily Drouet born to Nichola and Phil Drouet 07.01.16

Harrison Adam Wilson born to Becky and Adam 08.01.16

Jasper Michael Ray Ellis born to Joanne and Simon Ellis 10.01.16

Remy James Carew Anstey born to Jessica and Keir Anstey 20.01.16

Jay Edward Moon born to Janet and Michael 11.02.16

Ivy Amelia Jackson born to Ellie and Connor 14.02.16

Arthur Samuel Kenneth Ketch born to Alice and Sam 21.02.16

Alfred Robin Charles Philip Shrimpton born to Liz and Phil Shrimpton 25.02.16

Isabelle Helen Fisher born to Natalie and Ben Fisher 25.02.16

Isaac James Haffenden born to Katie and Richard 27.02.16

Stanley Adam Smith born to Alex and Adam 29.02.16

Saxon Flynn Gabriel Cane born to Ami and Tim 13.03.16

Ethan Jay Steven Greenfield born to Lauren and Adam 16.03.16

25

Welcome to the world!

Edward Sutherland born to Kate and Scott 18.11.15

Caleb Thomas James Austin born to Carole and Philip 28.12.15

Olivia Emma Tiernan born to Louise and Tim 03.01.16

Juliette Emily Drouet born to Nichola and Phil Drouet 07.01.16

Harrison Adam Wilson born to Becky and Adam 08.01.16

Jasper Michael Ray Ellis born to Joanne and Simon Ellis 10.01.16

Remy James Carew Anstey born to Jessica and Keir Anstey 20.01.16

Jay Edward Moon born to Janet and Michael 11.02.16

Ivy Amelia Jackson born to Ellie and Connor 14.02.16

Arthur Samuel Kenneth Ketch born to Alice and Sam 21.02.16

Alfred Robin Charles Philip Shrimpton born to Liz and Phil Shrimpton 25.02.16

Isabelle Helen Fisher born to Natalie and Ben Fisher 25.02.16

Isaac James Haffenden born to Katie and Richard 27.02.16

Stanley Adam Smith born to Alex and Adam 29.02.16

Saxon Flynn Gabriel Cane born to Ami and Tim 13.03.16

Ethan Jay Steven Greenfield born to Lauren and Adam 16.03.16

Newsletter EditorRole: Produces the local NCT newsletterfor an audience of local members,parents and other relevant people bygathering articles, editing and laying outthe newsletter. Training will be providedby the current Newsletter Editor, who willstay on in a smaller capacity in asupporting role to help gather, edit andprovide content.

Skills you will build in the role:• Ability to write clearly for differentaudiences• Ability to edit copy provided by others• Sensitivity• Good listener• Enthusiasm• Organisation, ability to work todeadlines• Confidence in working with numbers• Teamwork and team building• Awareness of controversial issues andability to seek guidance on the suitabilityof material for publication

Bumps and Babies VolunteerRole: Help run the weekly Bumps andBabies group on Wednesdays from10am­12pm at Community Wise inEastbourne.

Skills you will build in the role:• Warmth, friendliness and empathy• Time­management• Team work and enthusiasm• Planning and organisation• Good listener

Volunteer OpeningsBe a part of a great team!We are currently looking for volunteers tohelp our NCT Eastbourne Branch. Wehave some roles open that are specific,while other roles are of a moregeneralised, ad hoc nature. Please get intouch with our Branch Coordinator, RiaAldous­BrownCoordinator.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk ifyou would like more information on any ofour volunteer positions that are open.

We urgently need volunteers to helpout on the day for our July 16th NearlyNew Sale ­ if you or anyone you knowcan help please contact Liz RowlandNNS.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Each of the positions creates skillbuilding opportunities, which are great forbuilding your CV! Curriculum vitae (CV)means “course of life” so why not includeyour volunteering to showcase key lifeachievements! Including volunteer workon your CV can set you apart in acompetitive jobs market and make a bigdifference during the candidate screeningprocess. Employers know thatvolunteering is an excellent way to gainvaluable skills and experience that canbe easily applied in a range of industries.Your NCT volunteering demonstratesinterests outside work, involvement in thecommunity and an ability to network andcommunicate on a local, regional andnational level. All NCT volunteer rolesrequire skills and responsibilities thatappeal to employers, as well as helpingyou personally develop during a careerbreak.

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This is a silly superhero story featuring an evil pea and asupermarket full of victimised vegetables which is a lot of fun foradults to read to their little ones ­ it's reminiscent of the old Batmantelevision series, and you can have a lot of fun with the overstatedtension ("Could THIS be the end of Supertato?! GASP!"). Mydaughter really enjoys it and it's definitely one of the most dramaticbooks we've come across for preschoolers!

Supertatoby Sue Hendra

Book Reviewby Ella Lewis

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There are NCT Eastbourne Introducing Solids Workshopscurrently scheduled for June 20th, all from 10am­12pm. Babiesare welcome!

For more information or to book your place Email Nickybookings4p@nct.org.uk or telephone 0208 7529106

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There are NCT Eastbourne Introducing Solids Workshopscurrently scheduled for June 20th, all from 10am­12pm. Babiesare welcome!

For more information or to book your place Email Nickybookings4p@nct.org.uk or telephone 0208 7529106

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Eastbourne NCT Newsletter is specificallytargeted at local pregnant women andparents with young children, whoseinterests and responsibilities are notconfined to child rearing. It contains livelyrelevant editorial and detailed informationon products and local activities andevents including readerrecommendations. People use ourEastbourne NCT Newsletter as adirectory of local services and continue torefer to it month after month. All revenuegoes to producing and distributing thenewsletter.

The Eastbourne NCT Newsletter is ahighly­professional quarterly A5 black andwhite/colour mix magazine posted directlyto our members ­ plus antenatal classleaders and new parents. It is distributedto libraries, children’s centres, midwives,health visitors, maternity wards, clinicsand doctors’ surgeries. It is also availablefor people to pick up at events such asour hugely popular Nearly New Sales andvarious playgroups and coffee mornings.

Advertising RatesContact: Advertising.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Why Advertise here?

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Eastbourne NCT Newsletter is specificallytargeted at local pregnant women andparents with young children, whoseinterests and responsibilities are notconfined to child rearing. It contains livelyrelevant editorial and detailed informationon products and local activities andevents including readerrecommendations. People use ourEastbourne NCT Newsletter as adirectory of local services and continue torefer to it month after month. All revenuegoes to producing and distributing thenewsletter.

The Eastbourne NCT Newsletter is ahighly­professional quarterly A5 black andwhite/colour mix magazine posted directlyto our members ­ plus antenatal classleaders and new parents. It is distributedto libraries, children’s centres, midwives,health visitors, maternity wards, clinicsand doctors’ surgeries. It is also availablefor people to pick up at events such asour hugely popular Nearly New Sales andvarious playgroups and coffee mornings.

Advertising RatesContact: Advertising.Eastbourne@nct.org.uk

Why Advertise here?

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AboutNCT:

NCT is here to support parents. We don’t tell themwhat to do or think – through our classes, branches,and helplines, our volunteers and qualifiedreresentatives give parents accurate, impartialinformation so that they can decide what’s best fortheir family. Through us, they can join a supportnetwork of other parents near by, which can be alifeline in the early years. We are the UK’s leadingparenting charity, and, being independent, we have aninfluential voice in campaigning and lobbying on theissues that parents care about.

Dates For your Diary_Afternoon Tea: Every Friday 2­4 pm, Cornfield Tea House, Eastbourne_Bumps and Babies: Every Wednesday 10 am­12 pm, Community Wise, OldTown, Eastbourne_Nearly New Sales: Saturday 16th July 10am­12pm at Ratton School, Park Ave,Eastbourne BN21 2XR_Introducing Solids Workshops: 20th June 10:00 to 12:00. For moreinformation or to book your place email Nicky bookings4p@nct.org.uk or call0208 7529106_Baby First Aid: Monday May 9th and Monday July 18th, both 7:00­9:30 pm atCommunity Wise, Eastbourne. Email Maria on FirstAid.Eastbourne@nct.org.ukto find out more_Information on these events can be found elsewhere in this newsletter, on our NCT branch pagehttp://www.nct.org.uk/branches/eastbourne or our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NcT.Eastbourne

AboutNCT:

NCT is here to support parents. We don’t tell themwhat to do or think – through our classes, branches,and helplines, our volunteers and qualifiedreresentatives give parents accurate, impartialinformation so that they can decide what’s best fortheir family. Through us, they can join a supportnetwork of other parents near by, which can be alifeline in the early years. We are the UK’s leadingparenting charity, and, being independent, we have aninfluential voice in campaigning and lobbying on theissues that parents care about.

Dates For your Diary_Afternoon Tea: Every Friday 2­4 pm, Cornfield Tea House, Eastbourne_Bumps and Babies: Every Wednesday 10 am­12 pm, Community Wise, OldTown, Eastbourne_Nearly New Sales: Saturday 16th July 10am­12pm at Ratton School, Park Ave,Eastbourne BN21 2XR_Introducing Solids Workshops: 20th June 10:00 to 12:00. For moreinformation or to book your place email Nicky bookings4p@nct.org.uk or call0208 7529106_Baby First Aid: Monday May 9th and Monday July 18th, both 7:00­9:30 pm atCommunity Wise, Eastbourne. Email Maria on FirstAid.Eastbourne@nct.org.ukto find out more_Information on these events can be found elsewhere in this newsletter, on our NCT branch pagehttp://www.nct.org.uk/branches/eastbourne or our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NcT.Eastbourne

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6

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in Eastbourne and across EastSussexNCT offer - Free re-useableswim nappy when you book acourse