A new report released by the South Tees Maternal, Infant and Child Health (MICH) Partnership states that 366 fewer women in South Tees smoked during their pregnancy since 2015, meaning fewer children born with breathing, feeding and asthma difficulties and other serious illnesses.
In South Tees local parents benefit from having the MICH Partnership, which consists of committed professionals from Midwifery, Health Visiting, Early Years and Public Health who work together to ensure expectant parents off to the best start possible.
These partners work together to develop, improve and offer better support for families, improve care and innovative working practices so that parents get the best support in pregnancy and early years.
The partnership recently produced a report, titled “celebrating three years of success” which highlights the good work led by the partnership over the past three years. The report highlights that:
⦁ The number of pregnant mothers who smoke during pregnancy has reduced by 34% (from 2015 to 2018)
⦁ A successful sub-regional campaign was developed to raise awareness that pregnant mums should avoid alcohol during pregnancy to avoid risks
⦁ The quality and take up of mental health support for pregnant and new mothers has significantly improved
⦁ There has been improved early identification for those children who may be developmentally delayed
⦁ MICH has continued to champion breastfeeding; strives to make it the norm for most families in the area
Rebecca Scott, chair of the group said: “All parents need support in pregnancy and their child’s early years, MICH and its members are passionate about making a difference with the support they get.
“We want to ensure that every child and their family gets the best start in life - every parent will need support in pregnancy and early years at some point but they must get the right support at the right time and it’s our job to ensure that happens.”
