National and local support groups

You will find there are lots of local groups available for you in both pregnancy and after your birth, or who can support you if your birth experience was difficult or different to how you had imagined.

There are also groups who can support you if you have had a miscarriage or a still birth, or your baby was born with physical or brain injuries.

The below information is a small sample of what is available, please always check before attending an advertised session. Please also note that some groups charge for advice sessions, again please always check in advance. Different groups may give a different perspective on elements of your pregnancy so please always check with your midwife, GP or health visitor if you have any concerns.

National Support Groups

Miscarriage and baby loss

Miscarriage or baby loss: www.sands.org.uk and for partners here is a video on 'Sands United FC'
The Miscarriage Association: www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk

Pregnancy and antenatal support

General pregnancy and antenatal support: www.nct.org.uk
If you are expecting more than one baby: www.tamba.org.uk
Teenage pregnancy support: www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/teenager-pregnant/
Morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarium: www.pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk
For mums over the age of 35: oldermum.co.uk
Tommy's: Planning for Pregnancy Tool
Birth Trauma Association: www.birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
Pregnancy and parenthood advice from Bounty: www.bounty.com
Best Beginnings Resources: https://www.bestbeginnings.org.uk/vision
The Breastfeeding Network: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers: https://abm.me.uk/breastfeeding-information/
Start4life - breastfeeding resources: https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/baby/breastfeeding/
North Lincolnshire Council breastfeeding peer support group meetings.
Pregnancy Sickness Support: https://pregnancysicknesssupport.org.uk

Mental health

Every Mum Matters - perinatal mental health support and advice: www.everymummatters.com
Action for Postpartum Psychosis: www.app-network.org
Anxiety UK: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
General mental health support: www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans: www.samaritans.org
Pre and post natal depression support: www.pandasfoundation.org.uk

Baby born premature or sick

If your baby is born premature or sick: www.bliss.org.uk
Health Safety Investigation Bureau: www.hsib.org.uk

Vulnerable families

For vulnerable families: www.barnardos.org.uk
Safeguarding: COVID-19 and Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence and Gender Based Violence - Safety and wellbeing advice for survivors
Safeguarding: COVID-19 and Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence and Gender Based Violence - Advice for friends, family, neighbours and community members
Support to keep you warm and safe if you lose gas or electricity supply: Signing up to the Northern Gas Network Priority Services Register will ensure you stay safe in case of a gas or electricity outage.

Domestic abuse

If in immediate danger please call 999 (no credit is needed). If you can't speak, press 55 on your telephone when the call taker is on the line and they will still provide help.

Hull Domestic Abuse Partnership: http://www.hulldap.co.uk/ or call 01482 318759.
Hull City Council: http://www.hull.gov.uk/support-adults/safeguarding/domestic-violence
East Riding Domestic Violence Adult Service call 01482 396 368
Women's Aid North East Lincolnshire: https://www.womensaidnel.org
North and North East Lincolnshire Blue Door call 0800 1974 787
City of York: https://www.yor-ok.org.uk/Safer%20Children%20York%202014/domestic-abuse_2.htm
IDAS the largest specialist charity in Yorkshire supporting anyone experiencing or affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence: https://www.idas.org.uk

If you are not in immediate danger you can call/email the:

Freephone 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2472000

Men's Advice Helpline on 0808 801 0327/info@mensadviceline.org.uk

LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0800 999 5428/help@galop.org.uk

Karma Nirvana, UK Helpline for ‘honour’-based abuse and forced marriage on 0800 5999 247

Pregnancy related health and care apps

Review site for care and health apps - over 200 pregnancy related apps reviewed, Humber and North Yorkshire curated apps are here.

Local Support Groups

Reflect is a pregnancy support charity based in York and Harrogate. We provide free, impartial and confidential support to men and women facing an unexpected pregnancy choice and to those struggling after experiencing pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, still-birth and post-abortion. Click here to find out more.

Us Mums is a physical activity and well-being programme for pregnant women and new mums in Hull. They run several different sessions to increase physical activity levels and improve women’s emotional well-being during this unique life stage. All free, £1 or £2 per session. Click here to find out more.