Supporting Pregnancy, Birth & Early Attachment

Foster carers often worry that their knowledge of pregnancy, birth and new-born care might be out of date. It’s important to remember that being a midwife or health visitor isn’t part of your role! There are lots of great resources out there to update you to look at with the woman in your care.

Pregnancy

Though it is uncommon for an older woman to be placed in foster care whilst pregnant, you may have a pregnant teenager who is a looked-after child placed with you so that she can settle before her baby is born. This is a preferable scenario to being placed straight after the birth, and gives you time to build a trusting relationship and to help her prepare mentally and physically for being a mother.

There is a huge amount of information online about pregnancy and birth, and this can provoke anxiety in pregnant women. The sites in this section provide information which is evidence-based and not commercially sponsored or scaremongering. Remember, sometimes something just doesn’t feel right to a pregnant woman — always encourage her to go for a check-up if she thinks something is wrong. Have a look at the #AlwaysAsk campaign by Tommy’s.

Labour and Birth

All women are different in how they approach birth, and the support you provide will depend on her needs. Women in foster care may be embarrassed to go to antenatal classes, feel too young, or not want to go without a partner. It is best practice in midwifery that women in the care system are looked after by a small team of named midwives who they get to know, so you can encourage her to discuss this with her midwife.

Women can choose where they give birth, and many hospitals encourage a visit ahead of the birth to help parents familiarise themselves with the environment. Occasionally you may be asked to be a birth partner. If the arrangement is for you to be the birth partner, you need to make sure this is what the mum really wants and not what has been imposed on her. Women have the right to be supported by the person of their choice.

After the Birth

It’s more common for a woman to come into a foster placement after the birth. She may come straight from the hospital, or from the family court, not knowing foster care was a possible outcome. There are some things you can do to help make this a little easier (see the Good Beginnings section), but this situation will always be stressful and disorientating.

How can you help?

• Rest: Help her get as much rest as possible. If you know she’s had a bad night, this may mean taking the baby for a couple of hours in the morning.
• Nutrition: Encourage her to eat regularly. Eating well is really important for energy levels, breastfeeding, and physical healing.
• Skin-to-skin: Research has shown that lots of skin-to-skin contact promotes attachment, feeding, and reduces stress hormones. Encourage either parent to hold the baby, wearing only a nappy, on their chest for extended periods.
• Feeding: Whether breast or bottle feeding, responsiveness to baby’s cues is key. There are lots of resources to support breastfeeding in the Learning Zone.
• Eye contact and interaction: Remind the parent that the distance between their face and baby’s whilst being held is the exact distance the baby can focus. Encourage eye contact, talking and singing.
• Emotional wellbeing: In all the busyness, make sure there are times when you sit down together in private to give her opportunity to talk about how she is feeling.
• Lots of encouragement: Many mothers feel inadequate and worry they are doing things wrong. Praising her care of the baby and noticing the baby’s response to her are powerful tools in building her confidence.