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The National Childbirth Trust
Alexandra House
Oldham Terrace
London W3 6NH
Tel. 01-992 6762
The NCT is the foremost charity concerned with education for
pregnancy, birth and parenthood, with over 300 branches and groups
all over the country. Ante-natal classes, information, support and
advice on breast-feeding, and post-natal support are the most
important aspects of its work. Ante-natal classes usually consist of
a course of eight sessions, during the last three months of
pregnancy, directed by a group leader, who will also make fathers
welcome in an informal and friendly atmosphere.
There are over 500 NCT
breastfeeding counselors throughout the country, and breast-feeding
bras and pumps are among the many items offered on the NCT’s
maternity sales mail order catalogue. The NCT can also do much to
help with the often daunting, as well as exciting, experience of
coping with a new baby by putting new or expectant mothers in touch
with members living nearby who offer friendship and the chance to
meet socially and share experiences.
The NCT produces a series of
leaflets and information sheets on many aspects of pregnancy, all
revised periodically to keep them up to date, and holds a stock of
recommended books, all of which can be ordered through the NCT’s
catalogue.
AIMS (Association for Improvements
in the Maternity Services)
163 Liverpool Road .
London N1 0RF
Tel. 01-2785628
Offers information and advice on all aspects of maternity care,
including parent’s rights and choices available.
Maternity Alliance
15 Britannia Street
London WCIX 9JP
Tel. 01-837 1266
Member groups cover every aspect of pregnancy and motherhood. The
Alliance campaigns for better services for parents and babies and
offers valuable advice on the financial benefits available to
mothers.
SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal
Death Society)
28 Portland Place
London WIN 3DE
Tel. 01-436 5881
A constantly expanding organization which aims to help all parents
whose baby has died at or near birth. It provides various forms of
stress-relief: a telephone support service from the central office,
with alternative numbers on an answer phone outside office hours,
and comfort from other bereaved parents, known as 'befrienders' who
may also visit you in your own home if you wish. Local SANDS groups
also offer the chance to meet collectively with other parents in the
same situation: these are organized nationwide. All letters are
answered personally and confidentially by the SANDS head office, and
members receive a newsletter three times a year, designed to keep
parents and groups in touch with each other, and containing shared
experiences, group news, features and book reviews. SANDS also works
closely with the many health professionals and other workers
involved when a baby dies, and aims to help them increase their
understanding of the stress the parents go through, by organizing
and participating in lectures, conferences, workshops and study
groups. Resource material published by SANDS includes a booklet for
parents, Saying Goodbye to Your Baby, which gives compassionate and
practical advice, simply and sympathetically presented, on ways in
which to come to terms with the event, as well as outlining the
formalities that need to be completed. And their leaflet Stillbirth
and Neonatal Death: how you can help suggests further ways in which
friends, neighbors and other family members can help the bereaved
parents come to terms with the stress of the situation.
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