Starting a family can be a daunting task, let alone doing so away from home and family support. Thankfully, the UK is well set up to assist growing families, you just need to know where to look for advice and support. So, read on for a breakdown of some great services which are there for you in your time of need.

NHS
When you fall pregnant your first port of call should be your local GP. They will refer you on to a midwife who will be your primary carer throughout your pregnancy; do all your checks, make sure you and your baby are healthy and outline your birth options. They will be responsible for you up to and post birth, at which time you will go into the care of the health visiting team. The health visiting team is then responsible for your child until age five. You will receive a ‘Red’ book to keep track of your child’s appointments and developmental milestones.

Welcome to Kiwi Hacks, a monthly feature which brings you ‘life hacks’ – tricks, shortcuts, skills or ideas that increase productivity and efficiency, in all walks of life. Tailored toward the needs of NZBWN members, Kiwi Hacks will draw from the Networks’ broad base of knowledge to bring you top tips on personal and professional issues of a varied nature. As always, we welcome your feedback so drop us a line at newsletter@nzwomen.co.uk to let us know what you think about the content or if you have any hacks of your own that you’d like to share with the Network.

To kick things off we’re focusing on something most of us have to do – and many of us fear – presenting in public.

Not one to sit still for long, Anna Petchell has a CV of adventure to envy. From TV to the high seas and protecting our planet, Anna is an inspirational Kiwi.

Hailing from a farm in Kiwitahi in the Waikato, Anna studied communications and went on to work as a Camera Operator and Floor Manager on shows like Police Ten 7 and TV3 news. Leaving New Zealand nine years ago, she moved to London after being made redundant and had planned to work for the BBC, but chose to travel instead.

Leaving home for a life of travel, and then at sea on super yachts, Anna has clocked up more clocked up more than 60 countries, 10,000 nautical miles, learned six languages (basic), and made countless friends around the world.

That has seen her “live” all over the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, the East Coast of USA, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and in the Auckland Viaduct. “Home is wherever the boat ends up – which was sometimes the middle of the Atlantic.”