BECOMING A PARENT?
WELCOME TO A WHOLE NEW WORLD....
Birth is just the beginning of parenting. Check out these links & resources and begin to build your map of where to find anything & everything you might need or want for bump, birth & beyond
west kent hospitals & birth centres
Tunbridge Wells Hospital, Pembury
Telephone | 01892 823535
Tonbridge Road
Pembury
Tunbridge Wells
Kent, TN2 4QJ
Maidstone Birth Centre, Hermitage Lane
Telephone | 01622 220160 / 220161
Hermitage Lane,
Maidstone
Kent,
ME16 9QQ
Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington
Telephone | 01689 863000
Princess Royal University Hospital
Farnborough Common
Orpington
Kent BR6 8ND
Oasis Birthing Centre, PRUH, Orpington
Telephone | 01689 864750
Princess Royal Hospital
Farnborough Common
Orpington
Kent BR6 8ND
Crowborough
Birth Centre
Telephone | 01892 652284
Southview Close
Crowborough
Kent
TN6 1HB
good birth information & resources
The Positive Birth Movement
We are a global network of free to attend antenatal groups, linked up by social media. We connect pregnant women together to share stories, expertise and positivity about childbirth. We aim to challenge the epidemic of negativity and fear that surrounds modern birth, and help change birth for the better. Join us as we meet up, link up and shake up birth!
We have around 200 groups in the U.K, and over 100 in the rest of the world!
We have groups in 30 different countries!
NHS Pregnancy & Birth Guide - where to give birth
The NHS have kindly put together a number of resources for pregnant women, including this guide to your options for place of birth.
Overall, this is pretty good. Watch out for the use of language though in this short film, though. Hospital & birth centre locations are presented as 'normal', and considerations around increased rates of intervention are brushed off lightly.
The Positive Birth Movement, Sevenoaks
We have a thriving Positive Birth Movement here in Sevenoaks too!
This is a peer-to-peer group, here to support each other, offering the space to discuss & explore motherhood.
It's also important to know this; however you experienced, or hope to experience, your birth "What's really vital is....we don't hold one kind of birth up above another. We believe that any kind of birth can be a positive birth, and that it is up to women to decide where and how they have their baby."
You can see meeting dates at the Facebook page here
You can ask to join the closed Facebook group here
Association for Improvements in Maternity Services
Primarily a campaigning organisation AIMS has created a series of really very well informed booklets covering issues such as induction, gestational diabetes, caesarean birth, home birth & Group Strep B.
Tell Me A
Good Birth Story
Natalie Meddings is an experienced doula and author of How To Have a Baby and Why Home Birth Matters
Tell Me A Good Birth Story is designed to connect mothers-to-be with real mothers, so they can hear at first hand positive encouragement, real experiences and insights.
Follow Natalie on Facebook & Instagram for powerful stories and new approaches that will really open your eyes to options and opportunities.
Practical support
Doula UK
Doula UK is the non-profit membership organisation for Doula's in the UK, Ireland & the Channel Islands. Over 700 birth and post-natal doula's are registered here, making it the primary source of information about doula's in the UK.
YOu can find out more about what a doula is here, as well as the sort of care you can expect from your doula, prices and support.
You can search for your doula here
Close to Hand
Close to Hand is an online community that connects you with local people who can lend a helping hand. We make it easy to arrange practical help and companionship at the same time as enabling local people to find flexible work with a purpose. In our experience, it's smiles all round.
Close to Hand is different to an agency; in fact, it's not an agency at all, but an online platform connecting local home helpers with anyone looking for an extra pair of hands on an ad hoc or regular basis.
Close to Hand Home Helpers are self-employed and set their own hourly rate, typically between £8-£15 per hour, meaning it's an affordable and flexible option.
Infant Sleep Consultants is run by three highly experienced and qualified professionals who have each had over eighteen years experience with babies and children.
We offer help and advice with your child from newborn to six years. We do not have a "one solution fits all" approach as we know every child is different. We use a holistic approach to create a sleep plan that you can manage and one which takes into account the needs of the child and expectations of each family.
La Leche League GB
If you want or need support in breastfeeding your baby La Leche's network of trained breast feeding counsellors are here to help you.
As well as a national helpline (0345 120 2918) there are several local leaders in the Kent area who will be able to support you whichever stage of breastfeeding you are at.
Kent Doula Collective
We are a group of doulas that support women and families of all kinds in pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
We are joined together by a collective desire to provide inclusive, non-judgmental and compassionate support for new families across Kent.
This website is a space for you to find the right doula for you.
We work all over Kent providing Birth & Postnatal support to families.
We are all different, just like each of you are different.
Association for Improvements in Maternity Services
Primarily a campaigning organisation AIMS has created a series of really very well informed booklets covering issues such as induction, gestational diabetes, caesarean birth, home birth & Group Strep B.
Wellness & yoga
Fisical Mind & Body
Sevenoaks very own complete yoga, natural medicine and aromatherapy studio. You'll find an array of classes here from varied practitioners, as well as treatments & aromatherapy products. Well worth checking out.
Yoga with Annabel
Annabel teaches Iyengar inspired Yoga, both prenatal and postnatal classes. She's based in Sevenoaks, offering classes at Fisical Mind & Body studio, as well as other venues.
Close to Hand
Katie Brown runs Oaks Yoga, and is a passionate advicate of the healing powers of this ancient practice in a contemporary way.
She says 'My classes can be as nurturing or challenging as you choose. During the practice I encourage clients to set an intention to tune in to your body and mind to seek out what you need without judgement.'
Kit and caboodle
Herd Bags
At Herd we love reusable bags. They accompany us to the shops, work, swimming lessons, holiday and beyond. We think that bags can be hardworking AND stylish and so beyond making Herd bags functional we also make them vibrant and attractive.
Our bags are made from woven polypropylene, over 30% of which comes from recycled clothing and packaging. They are designed to be spacious, strong and wipe clean. As well as providing space the bags also include a zipped pocket to keep keys, loose change and phones secure. The bags have a double handle made from cotton so they can be comfortably carried in the hand or over the shoulder.
The brand was founded by Nancy Powell, a mother of three young children and Chief Family 'Herder'.
