People who are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or caring for children and young people in Dorset can now find trusted advice in one place, through the Healthier Together website.
The website now brings together clear, reliable information to support families in Dorset before, during and after pregnancy.
It also includes advice to help parents and carers decide what to do when babies, children or young people are unwell.
All information on the website has been reviewed by local parents and carers, as well as local midwives and clinicians.
This helps make sure the advice is easy to understand, safe, and relevant for families in Dorset.
The Healthier Together website now includes lots of maternity information including planning a pregnancy, antenatal appointments and screening, vaccinations in pregnancy, mental health and labour.
The NHS in Dorset would like to reassure families that although this website replaces the current Maternity Matters webpages, the advice and care for people who are pregnant has not changed.
If you are newly pregnant, the Healthier Together website explains what to do next and how to let the midwife teams know. If you are already pregnant and have questions or concerns, the website provides clear guidance on where to find local support. If think you are in labour or have urgent concerns, call the Maternity Advice Line on 0300 369 0388.
Beth Fletcher, a Public Health Lead Midwife at University Hospitals Dorset (pictured below), said: “As a midwife, I see every day how powerful the right information can be.
“The new Healthier Together website makes pregnancy information clear, reliable, and easy to access.
“I feel confident this will help parents feel supported to make informed decisions about their care, especially as the usability and language tools make the website accessible to everyone.”
The Healthier Together website is already widely used across Dorset and surrounding areas to support parents and carers when children are unwell.
Bringing maternity and children’s health advice together helps families feel more confident about caring for themselves and knowing when to seek help.
For more information about the new Healthier Together maternity webpages and frequently asked questions, visit: www.staywelldorset.nhs.uk/update/maternity.
