Navigating Maternity Care Group Workshop

*coming soon!*

Navigating Maternity Care Workshop

Induction, maternity triage & what actually happens at hospital

Pregnancy comes with plenty of information about growing your baby, but surprisingly little about what actually happens when you need maternity care.

When should you phone triage? What happens when you get there? When should you go into hospital in labour? What actually happens during an induction? And what are your options if you're offered something you weren't expecting?

This relaxed, practical workshop is led by an experienced midwife and is designed to take some of the mystery out of navigating maternity services.

Maternity Triage & Going Into Hospital

We'll talk through when and how to contact maternity triage, what happens if you're asked to come into hospital and what you can expect from common assessments.

We'll cover:

• When you should contact maternity triage
• What to expect when you phone
• What happens if you're asked to come into hospital
• Common assessments, observations and monitoring
• When to contact hospital during early labour
• What happens when you arrive in labour
• Understanding the different maternity areas and where you might be cared for
• Practical tips for preparing for a hospital visit or admission

Induction of Labour

Induction can feel particularly daunting when you don't know what to expect. We'll go through the process step-by-step, including why induction may be offered and the choices you may have along the way.

We'll cover:

• Why induction of labour might be offered
• Making an informed decision about induction
• What happens before your induction begins
• Cervical examinations and assessing your cervix
• Different methods of cervical ripening
• Breaking your waters
• The oxytocin hormone drip
• Monitoring during an induction
• Pain relief options for early stages of induction 
• How long induction can take
• What happens if things don't progress as expected
• What your birth partner can expect and how they can help

Your Choices & Making Decisions

Being offered an intervention doesn't mean you suddenly stop having choices.

Throughout the workshop we'll discuss consent and informed decision-making, including useful questions you can ask your maternity team and how to feel more involved in decisions about your care.

Ask the Midwife

There will be plenty of time for questions throughout the session. Nothing is too basic or embarrassing to ask and questions from both yourself and your birth partner are welcome. 

Who is this workshop for?

This session is suitable whether you're planning a vaginal or caesarean birth, whether you've already been offered an induction or simply want to understand how maternity services work before you need them.

You do not need to have an induction planned to attend.

Come away understanding what to expect, what your options are and how to navigate maternity care with a little more confidence.

90-minute workshop

£49 per pregnant person + one birth partner can attend for free

Venue and date TBC