ParentCraft Videos Launched

A series of nine videos providing information and advice to expectant mothers and their families are now available online. 

Each video covers a different topic, including hospital bags, labour, postpartum care and breastfeeding. 

The online replacement of face-to-face ParentCraft has received backlash from the public and several politicians.

However, it won’t be forever, as Manx Care intend to bring in a “blended approach” come Autumn, where it will reintroduce face-to-face sessions, along with the online content.

Online Videos

Manx Care says that the videos were created to provide an “accessible version” of ParentCraft education sessions for prospective parents to access when it most suited them.

The release of the videos follows a temporary pause to face-to-face sessions due to a staffing shortage in the maternity service.

The health care provider says that “providing videos as an alternative means that staff can prioritise core services and safety during the pause”.

Face-to-Face Sessions

Manx Care says that the “face-to-face sessions were limited to a set number of couples each month, leaving many women, birthing partners, and families unable to participate”.

It believes that the timing and duration of the face-to-face sessions “did not accommodate everyone’s busy schedules or needs”.

It added: “Additionally, group settings are not suitable for everyone, and parents who have had a baby before may prefer to refresh on specific topics at their convenience.”

Blended Approach

By early autumn, a blended approach of offering both face-to-face and the online videos will be available to women, birthing partners, and families.

The face-to-face sessions will be delivered not only by midwives but also by multi-professionals involved in the pregnancy journey. 

ParentCraft sessions will be redesigned to incorporate essential feedback from women and families, allowing Manx Care to tailor its approach accordingly.

This will include engagement events within the community over the next few months.

The ParentCraft videos, alongside information on education sessions and feedback forms are available on the ParentCraft webpage. 

Best of Both

Manx Care’s Executive Director of Nursing, Sheila Lloyd said: “Our midwives work exceptionally hard to ensure we’re providing a safe and supportive maternity service which provides expectant mothers with the choice they rightly need, and this should be commended. 

“Manx Care and our midwives believe that we should be offering choice to our women and their families as we see the benefits.

Manx Care’s Executive Director of Nursing, Sheila Lloyd

“This blended approach of online education and information with face-to-face meetings returning in early autumn offers this choice.”