Retired midwife urges feedback on services for new parents

It's after comes after the news face-to-face ParentCraft sessions will be reintroduced

A retired midwife is urging new parents to give feedback on services provided by Manx Care.

It's after the healthcare provider confirmed it would be reinstating face-to-face ParentCraft sessions in the autumn.

Jan Ulyatt has been offering free in-person classes in her spare time since they were stopped last year.

She's hoping people will continue to make sure Manx Care knows how important they are:

Manx Radio has contacted Manx Care for a response.

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Meanwhile, a series of nine videos is now available online.

They were due to be published in February.

Each video covers a different topic, including hospital bags, labour, postpartum care and breastfeeding.

Regan Baggley, Head of Midwifery for Manx Care said: "I’m delighted to be able to share these videos with the public.

"We’ve worked exceptionally hard on getting the content of these videos just right for prospective parents on the Isle of Man.

"This has not been a cost-saving measure, more a resource matter at this time.

"As I’m sure people are aware, recruiting midwives is a challenge across the world right now and there simply isn’t enough of us to be able to deliver face-to-face sessions without compromising patient safety on the maternity ward.  

"I’d like to reassure anyone who is expecting a baby that the Jane Crookall Maternity staff are always on hand to offer advice and support as and when needed at any stage of their pregnancy."

Manx Care’s Executive Director of Nursing, Sheila Lloyd added: "Our midwives work exceptionally hard to ensure we’re providing a safe and supportive maternity service which provides expectant mothers with the choice they rightly need, and this should be commended.  

"Manx Care and our midwives believe that we should be offering choice to our women and their families as we see the benefits.

"This blended approach of online education and information with face-to-face meetings returning in early autumn offers this choice."

The videos available are:

• Jane Crookall Maternity Unit Tour
• Your Hospital Bag – what do you need to bring for you and for baby
• The Birthing Hormones – what are they, how do they work and what to expect
• Preparation, Active Birth and Breathing – how to get ready for labour and what techniques will help you
• Labour – what are the stages of labour and what to expect
• Pain Relief – what are the options and how do they compare
• Assisted Labour – what is assisted labour and what to expect
• Postpartum – what care is provided to you and what care is provided for baby
• Breastfeeding – what support is offered, where to get help and what to expect
• Post-natal Care – caring for your newborn baby, what to expect and how to get support if needed