Parentcraft Midwives – Providing Expert Education and Support

Parentcraft Services is a free-standing Unit, forming part of the Obstetric Department and situated at Level 1, Block E, Mater Dei Hospital. Parentcraft Services offered by parentcraft midwives provide education and support during and after the pregnancy.

While gathering information for this article I had the pleasure to talk to the very dedicated Charge Midwife and Parentcraft Services Coordinator, Louise Bugeja, who took the time to explain in detail the many educational opportunities that are being offered through this unit. Ms Bugeja explained that education is mainly carried out through team meetings offered to expectant mothers/couples, mothers with twin pregnancies, grandparents, and mothers with consecutive pregnancies. Mothers are grouped with each other based on the estimated month of delivery, and participation can be face-to-face as well as online. All groups are then invited to a general group, which currently hosts over 2,500 members, where certain modules and informative updates are uploaded.

Post-natal sessions are also offered through Parentcraft, which serve as an educational tool since many queries are answered directly by qualified midwives. Another great initiative is also offered post-birth through a Facebook page named Ask The Parentcraft Midwife where mothers can ask questions and discuss issues related to themselves as well as their newborns, and have them answered by these amazingly helpful midwives. ‘Ask the Parentcraft Midwife’ is also open to expectant parents to voice their concerns and ask any questions.

I highly recommend Parentcraft services! I have made use of this service when pregnant with my own daughters in the past, and from my observation it is evident that this service, which was always great, is now excellent!

Parentcraft Midwives can be contacted for more information on 25455123, 25455124 or 25455127, or check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/parentcraftmalta. For anyone who would like to apply to any of the services mentioned, Ms Bugeja has provided the file below which consists of an application form you may easily download. Once you fill in the form kindly email it to [email protected]

Ms Bugeja was so kind as to also send us this very informative document with all contact details which every pregnant woman may need…

Unfortunately, during the writing of this article exactly on the 17th of October 2020, Parentcraft Midwives were deployed to the Contact Tracing Centre. All online services had to be stopped as well. To this announcement, many mums-to-be as well as new mums voiced their concerns over this situation all over social media.

It is evident that the services offered by Parentcraft Midwives are of utmost importance, especially now due to the Covid-19 situation. Expectant and new mums need even more support during these days when many are experiencing unnecessary stress due to the virus…

All midwives have experience and knowledge to share with expectant mothers and their advice is always welcome especially to first time mothers. All I have learned from the videos and lessons have come in handy both for me and my partner. The videos help a lot and you can go back to review anytime you need to remember something. They also provided us with support throughout these difficult times and eased our anxieties…

That support as well as their experience cannot be found in any baby book you may read as some have suggested on other pages. Some also stated that they did not have such services back in the day . Listening to the advice of your mother or grandmother is sometimes not enough as studies are done everyday to improve the care and advice given to mothers and their babies so things are always being updated and provided to us through Parentcraft Services .Therefore we are lucky to have such services and support available for us…

I also saw that some people shared their birth stories and midwives made sure to praise the mothers and thanked them for sharing. From my recent experience of child birth – to the few days of stress after, you sometimes need to hear from these experienced people that you did good or you are doing good to ease some worry and the stress of everything .

Laura Caruana

Parent craft services are a breathe of fresh air particularly in covid times. Just knowing that they are a message away is so relieving. Their dedication and the love shown to each and every expectant mother is felt even though its virtual. They were amazing with my first and have definitely been a ray of sunshine this time with my second in such unconventional times.

Kiki Mizzi

Women and relatives flooded the Parentcraft Malta page with honest reviews, saying why this service is very much needed and why it should never be taken away…

I had a baby in August. Without them during this sensitive time i would have felt utterly lost… their service is very helpful in normal circumstances let alone now… thank you!!

Flo Tn

Parentcraft Malta offer an outstanding and unique service; a service that every pregnant woman can’t do without. For me these people felt like a reference point to any question that came to mind or that caused me self doubt or anxiety at times. They were a shoulder to lean on during the pregnancy journey. Despite most of the service was offered online due to the COVID situation, they were always available to answer any questions at any time of the day. The information given through the numerous online videos has been invaluable and also seemed reassuring to me. My special thanks go to Louise and Sharon for sharing their knowledge and support, for their time and their cheerful disposition during these abnormal times.

Daniela Galea

Becoming a mother, no matter how much you want it, is an overwhelming feeling. All of a sudden there is this little being growing inside you and creating change in your body and life. Through the Parentcraft classes, although I have heard and already read a lot about babies, I found practical ways to handle pregnancy, preparations and what to really expect from labour, as well as some tips for the first weeks after birth. I now am 2 weeks from due date and with Parentcraft Midwives being deployed to the Contact Tracing Centre I am missing the reassurance and comfort of being able to ask much needed last minute question, especially with regard to any new updates on the regulations with respect to COVID…

Davinia Pirotta

Parentcraft is absolutely amazing and essential for mothers to be. I had found them of great help with my first born. Now, during these uncertain times and with my second pregnancy, they were a godsend, reassuring mothers, offering advice, quick answers and a myriad of information online. Thanks for all the hard work and dedication . You have been our support system to date. Hoping this essential service is back asap!

Tiziana Yana Bonello

These are only a couple of many voices of women who have experienced first-hand the excellent help and services offered by Parentcraft Midwives. Thankfully, on the 21st of October 2020, MUMN has backed up Parentcraft Midwives and has recalled all midwives from the Contact Tracing Centre back to their much needed place. They can now continue offering their outstanding service to all women who are in much need of them, especially during these Covid-19 challenging times.