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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Baby Planners?

9 replies

all4one · 28/11/2009 20:35

Hello all mothers to be, I would like to introduce myself as a first time user of mumsnet, which for some reason makes me feel rather nervous like the new kid at school. I also feel a bit cheeky because my first posting is a request for your opinions on baby planners as part of my own research - but any help here would be greatly appreciated.

I am a maternity health professional, who along with a few colleagues, is considering starting a baby planners business. We know there are services like this in the south, but can't find anything along these lines in the northwest, where we are based. We are not thinking of the personal shopper/nursery decorators service that some offer, but more individualised support, guidance and pregnancy advice.

For example - we have considered offering private antenatal/parenting classes, birthplan and labour preparation,or infant feeding advice and support.We could research nursery care in your area, or local providers of alternative therapies, such as hypnobirthing.

The question we would like to ask you is this - would you consider paying for a personal one-to-one service such as this in the comfort of your own home? Or are we barking up a completely non-existant tree? We are keen to get this underway, but if the market isn't there then we would prefer to know now!

We are all mothers (8 children under 6 between us) and understand how mind-blowing the early days are. Many, many big thanks to anyone who takes the time to reply.

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
RichardCranium · 28/11/2009 20:54

Personally I wouldn't even consider paying for something like this. My midwife provides me with everything I need.

If I was the sort of person who would go to antenatal classes (pregnant with DC3 and haven't been to one ever) I imagine I'd be going for the group support and possible friendships. The rest of what you're offering is done for free by the NHS.

theboob · 28/11/2009 20:58

agree with richard , i live in the northwest and my DC4 is 11 week's , i had all this support from my midwife and then after from my star buddy breast feeding adviser (BFN) who still supports me now

woowa · 29/11/2009 15:31

I'm choosing to pay for some antenatal care, but from the NCT who are also doing some of the stuff you are thinking of offering, such as breastfeeding. They are also a charity so I feel happy to support them. Since we pregnant people are having to spend so much money anyway on stuff for the baby, i can't see how anyone except the very rich would be able to afford it.

Sorry we haven't been more positive.

allthatjazz · 29/11/2009 16:07

I would love it tbh my midwife frankly intimates me and is no support and the least maternal person i have ever met. My mother who i normally look to and admire is i swear only raising my bp with her comments. I am a first timer and although i am confident in my skills to be a good mum and know what and how ideally I would do things. I would really like someone to come to me have a cuppa and I could ask my silly questions and their opinions on birth and feeding etc and support. I do not feel supported at all apart from dp and could really do with this sort of help. I do however live in the south so will look into this. Sorry for rant and on phone so text all squished up

bigpreggybelly · 29/11/2009 19:12

I'm sure there are some people out there who are time poor and cash rich who would use the service, e.g. WAGS. But I wouldn't personally. I've quite enjoyed shopping for baby stuff!

It might work alongside something like wedding planning. What was that film with Steve Martin? The second one had a similar service offered by the wedding planner who was in the first film.

mama2moo · 29/11/2009 19:59

If I could afford it I would pay. I am not that keen on midwives or health visitors in my area so would rather get nice help with feeding etc.

Chunkamatic · 29/11/2009 20:02

I think there is possibly a limited market for this with the particularly affluent so you would maybe need to think about who it is aimed at. I dont think your average Mum to be would be able to justify the cost of something, which might be helpful but that you can get free from different charities/NHS etc.

Most people I know struggle to justify the cost for the NCT classes so you will have to consider that.

all4one · 30/11/2009 01:28

Thanks so much for all feedback, all of it is helpful. Hope you enjoy your pregnancies and good luck with deliveries. Sorry to hear some of you find your midwife intimidating, as a midwife myself this is sad to know. Rest assured most of us are not like this, and hopefully you will have someone you bond with better during your labour and early postnatal period.

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all4one · 30/11/2009 01:28

Thanks so much for all feedback, all of it is helpful. Hope you enjoy your pregnancies and good luck with deliveries. Sorry to hear some of you find your midwife intimidating, as a midwife myself this is sad to know. Rest assured most of us are not like this, and hopefully you will have someone you bond with better during your labour and early postnatal period.

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