Supporting Women Before, During and After Pregnancy: Helpful Resources for Professionals and Families

I’ve updated some of the perinatal resources I’ve been collecting to include the following (look under the ‘resources’ tab in the menu). The aim is to have these in one location for sharing to patients or to healthcare professional colleagues for onward dissemination. I hope all the links work but please let me know if there are any issues.

Preconception and Early Support

Preconception Care Partnership Toolkit A comprehensive toolkit designed to help healthcare professionals support individuals and couples in optimising health before pregnancy.

Make Birth Better – Free Resources Resources for improving experiences of pregnancy and birth, with a strong focus on psychological wellbeing.

Postnatal Care and Guidance

NHS England – GP 6–8 Week Maternal Postnatal Consultation: What Good Looks Like National guidance for clinicians on delivering meaningful and effective maternal postnatal checks.

Mending Milk – Perinatal Booklet A downloadable leaflet with clear, accessible information on perinatal wellbeing and mental health. Hearts & Minds – Perinatal Mental Health Support Map An interactive map of perinatal mental health services across the UK, helping families and professionals connect with local support.

Physical Activity in Pregnancy and Postpartum

Active Pregnancy Foundation – Professionals’ Hub Evidence-based advice and guidance for healthcare professionals supporting physical activity during pregnancy and after birth.

This Mum Moves A fantastic initiative with resources and campaigns to promote safe and supportive activity for mums at all stages.

Moving Medicine – Patient Resources Practical infographics, activity diaries, and patient-facing resources to support conversations around physical activity.

Moving Medicine – Postnatal Return to Exercise Timeline A helpful timeline outlining safe return to physical activity in the postpartum period.

Active Together A local partnership supporting active pregnancy and postpartum initiatives. Many areas can provide flyers, posters, or signposting to local activity groups (e.g. Active Mums clubs).

Active Partnerships A nationwide network of regional organisations that connect communities with physical activity opportunities—including postnatal support.

Peer Support and Community Networks

Breastfeeding Together An example of a third sector organisation providing peer support on wards and after discharge. Local equivalents may exist in your area, or there may be opportunities to help establish one. Some regions have excellent peer support teams for new parents, often linked to maternity services or third sector organisations. It’s worth checking what’s available in your area.