Innovative DVDs for deaf parenting?

Guide to pregnancy and birth for deaf parents

Signing for babies and toddlers

A guide to pregnancy and childbirth for deaf parents

DPPI launched its new DVD – A guide to pregnancy and childbirth for deaf parents – at King’s College London School of Medicine on 7 March.

This innovative DVD for deaf parents and parents-to-be is presented in British Sign Language (BSL), with subtitles, voice-over and supplementary leaflets.

Bernadette O’Neill, Lecturer in Clinical Communication Skills at King’s College London School of Medicine, welcomed the DVD as an extremely valuable resource for deaf parents-to-be and healthcare professionals alike.

Susan Daniels, Chair of the UK Council on Deafness, and herself a deaf parent, commended the DVD, saying: “It is absolutely fantastic. I wish it had been available when I was expecting my children”.

The British Sign Language presenter on the DVD, Trudi Collier, deaf mother of two, said: “Many deaf people prefer information in BSL and like visual access through sign language … you can watch it again and again – the information is always available”.

A guide to pregnancy and childbirth for deaf parents, developed by DPPI is available free to deaf parents and £10 to others. Please see DPPI contact details on back cover.

A deaf parent’s view of the DVD

As a deaf mum – the experiences I went through at the time of my son’s birth were a mixture. This DVD is a vital resource for deaf parents who do not have equal access to information as hearing parents. It is beautifully presented in BSL and with a choice of subtitles or not. I wish I’d had this DVD as it would have helped me greatly, especially to know that we can have interpreters at all times – it is our right.

Using the DVD is brilliant and far better than using video. At the start of the DVD it gives you a menu with various choices of what you can watch. And you can always go back to the topic over and over again. There are lots of topics such as stages of pregnancy, labour and birth, eclampsia and choices for childbirth – plus more! There are things in the DVD that some would not know about and which are very useful to know; it also gives you lots of ideas and choices. It does help you to know what to ask.

The DVD only gives you basic information on what is available and what you need to know. It does not give in-depth information. But that is good because it gives you an opportunity to ask your doctor or midwife for more information of what you’d like to know. It gives you confidence about the basic information and to be able to know what to ask. At the start of the DVD the first thing is about interpreters which is important to know right at the beginning because if you need to ask about anything else – you know you can.

It is a MUST for everyone in the country – every deaf parent-to-be. This is a brilliant DVD and it makes us equal with hearing parents-to-be so we can all look forward to a smooth and happy pregnancy and birth.

Charlotte Moulton-Thomas, Highgate, London

A midwife’s view of the DVD

This DVD has been well researched and will be a great asset to deaf parents in pregnancy or contemplating pregnancy.

The DVD is divided into the following sections: rights to communication support; antenatal care; looking after yourself when pregnant; stages of pregnancy; labour and birth; and after the birth.

Rights to communication support

The information highlighted is very useful, including communication and awareness of rights under the Disability Discrimination Act, access to interpreters, and the role of the Patient Advice and Liaison Services with communication support and antenatal appointments. Discovering you are pregnant and general well-being advice are covered well. The importance of seeing the general practitioner and midwife, and choosing the place of birth are explained.

Antenatal care

Options for antenatal care and delivery are discussed well. The importance of antenatal care is well explained including routine investigations which are diagnostic and which reassure parents that everything is normal.

Looking after yourself when pregnant

Information is accurate and informative on birth plans, choices in labour, staying in hospital, role of birth partner, diet and exercise, and the importance of keeping healthy.

Stages of pregnancy

The physiological and emotional changes in each trimester are clearly explained.

Labour and birth

Preparation for labour, when to attend and what to take into hospital are useful pieces of information for parents to know. The three stages of labour are well explained together with the role of the birth partner in each. Assisted deliveries are covered adequately without causing increased anxiety. Breathing techniques are well covered and video footage of the birth itself is excellent. Two small quibbles: I would have liked to see some reference to parent education classes, and a couple of technical terms were mispronounced.

After the birth

Examination of the baby at birth and choices of feeding are discussed. The benefits of skin-to-skin contact could have been mentioned here, and I would have liked some information about support from social services in providing equipment on loan for parents unable to buy it themselves. The role of other health professionals is well explained. Postnatal depression and the importance of seeking advice is mentioned.

The DVD closes with remarks which would encourage deaf parents to feel more secure and empowered when starting life as parents.

Mary Fadzil, Specialist Midwife Disability Support, Liverpool Women’s Foundation Trust, University Hospital Aintree

Signing for babies and toddlers

Sign & Bond has launched its first signing DVD, Signing at the farm.

Suitable for babies and children from six months to five years, this DVD uses high quality images and signs to introduce signing as a key communication method for babies and toddlers. It is packed with songs, farm animal signs, information for parents, tips and sign references. There will be more in this series coming soon.

Sign & Bond is a deaf-led organisation devoted to baby and child signing, using British Sign Language to help communication with babies and children. Resources are suitable for use with both hearing and deaf audiences.

The DVD was developed out of Sign & Bond’s existing work which offers workshops to small groups of parents and babies, professionals and nurseries. At the workshops, participants are shown basic signs and receive handouts, fact sheets, tips and cards to help them develop and practice their signing skills.

The DVD can be purchased direct from Sign & Bond. Price: £16.99. Order a copy or get further information about Sign & Bond’s resources and services from:

E-mail: yvonne@signbond.co.uk

Website: www.signbond.co.uk

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