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What you feel you need for your labour is very personal – only you know what you and your partner will need to make your labour as calm and relaxing as possible.

See the attached document that includes suggestions for things that might help.

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Maternal and Trauma Loss Care Service Patient Leaflet (1)

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We offer a wide choice of contraceptive options after the birth of your baby. A space of one year or more between birth and your next pregnancy is recommended, as evidence suggests it improves health outcomes for you and your children. Most importantly, it empowers you to take control of your own fertility and decide when you are ready to have your next child. We recognise that becoming a new parent is an exciting and extremely busy time in your life and would like to help by providing contraception before your discharge home.

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We offer a wide choice of contraceptive options after the birth of your baby. A space of one year or more between birth and your next pregnancy is recommended, as evidence suggests it improves health outcomes for you and your children. Most importantly, it empowers you to take control of your own fertility and decide when you are ready to have your next child. We recognise that becoming a new parent is an exciting and extremely busy time in your life and would like to help by providing contraception before your discharge home. The following information provides you with an outline of the options available, all are safe to use while you are breastfeeding and will not affect your milk supply.

Remember that these methods will not protect you from sexually transmitted infections. You should always consider using condoms to help protect against sexually transmitted infections.

Intrauterine contraception (IUC)

This is a device or coil which is inserted into your uterine cavity after your baby is born. IUC is a form of long-acting reversible contraception. There two types-hormonal and non-hormonal-and have a failure rate of less than 0.6%. We are able to offer IUC at elective caesarean section and hope to be able to offer it after vaginal birth in the future.

The hormone releasing IUC contains progestogen which is similar to the natural progesterone produced by your ovaries and works for 5 years. It works by thinning the lining of the uterus so that a fertilised egg is very unlikely to implant and it also thickens cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus.

The non-hormonal IUC prevents fertilisation as the copper on the device is toxic to sperm and works for 5-10 years depending on the type.

Advantages of IUC

It works instantly if inserted at birth. Both devices are more than 99% effective, with fewer than 1 woman in 100 becoming pregnant in a year

Fertility returns to normal as soon as the IUC is removed

It is not affected by other medicines

Hormonal IUCs can make periods lighter or sometimes stop

Disadvantages of IUC

Non-hormonal (copper) IUC may make periods heavier, longer or more painful-this may settle after a few months

Some women with hormonal IUC report having acne, headaches, and breast tenderness

Some women develop small fluid-filled cysts on their ovaries which may cause pain but are not dangerous and do not usually need treatment

The IUC does not increase your risk of infection, but if you do acquire an infection with the IUC in place, it could lead to a pelvic infection if not treated

Risks of IUC

There is a small chance of having an infection during the first 20 days after IUC insertion

The IUC can be pushed out of your womb (expelled) or it can move (displacement)-this is not common and occurs in approx 5% of women

If you do become pregnant while using an IUC the likelihood of it being ectopic is greater than if a pregnancy were to occur without an IUC-however, overall, the risk of ectopic pregnancy is small because they are so effective at preventing a pregnancy

How will IUC affect my periods?

With the hormonal IUC it is common to have extra bleeding or spotting during the first six months. Periods become shorter and lighter and may stop altogether, this is not harmful.

With the non-hormonal (copper) IUC, irregular bleeding is common during the first six months. In some women periods become heavier, longer, and sometimes more painful. There are medications which can be used to control bleeding.

How will I know if IUC is in place?

The IUC has threads which hang a short distance through the cervix into the top of the vagina. You will be referred to a community service at 6 weeks to have the threads trimmed if needed, and to check that the IUC still remains in place. If you cannot feel the threads or think you can feel the IUC then you should use condoms until your GP or community sexual health service has examined you.

What if I become pregnant while using an IUC?

Very few women become pregnant while using an IUC. If you think you might be pregnant or have unusual abdominal pain you should seek medical help as soon as possible.

Where can you have an IUC inserted?

If you are having an elective caesarean section you can have an IUC fitted at the time-please let your midwife or doctor know if you would like this arranged.

If you choose to wait to have an IUC inserted, you can do this from four weeks after the birth with your GP or local community sexual health service.

When can an IUC be removed?

An IUC can be removed at any time by a doctor or nurse pulling gently on the threads. This service may be available at your GP surgery or at local community sexual health service.

Progestogen-only implant

The progestogen-only implant is a method of long-acting reversible contraception. It is highly effective with a failure rate of 0.05% (1 in 2,000) and lasts for 3 years. The implant is a small, flexible rod (no larger than a matchstick), which is placed just under your skin in the upper arm. It releases progestogen hormone similar to the natural progesterone produced by your ovaries.

How does the implant work?

The main way it works is to stop your ovaries releasing an egg each month. It also thickens cervical mucus making it more difficult for sperm to penetrate and makes the lining of your uterus thinner, so it is less likely to accept a fertilised egg.

Can anyone use the implant?

Most women can have the implant fitted. A midwife or doctor will ask you about your medical history to make sure that the implant is suitable. An implant may not be suitable for you if you take certain medications, have current or previous breast cancer or have liver disease.

Advantages of the implant

It does not interfere with breastfeeding

It can be inserted as soon as your baby is born

It lasts for three years

As soon as the implant is taken out you will be able to get pregnant again

It may reduce heavy or painful periods

Disadvantages of the implant

You may have irregular bleeding

You may have temporary side effects such as headaches, breast tenderness and mood changes-these should stop within a few months

How is the implant inserted?

The implant is placed under your skin in the inner area of your upper arm. You will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area before it is inserted. The procedure only takes a few minutes and you will not need any stitches. After it has been inserted you will be shown how to check it is in position. Occasionally, you may notice redness or bruising of the skin in your arm, where your implant is inserted, which usually settles within a week. You will be asked to leave a skin plaster on for at least 24 hours to help reduce the bruising. No routine follow-up is required, however if you have any concerns consult your GP or local community sexual health service for further advice.

How will an implant affect my menstrual periods?

Your periods will probably change, you may:

No longer have periods (1 in 5 women)

Have infrequent bleeding (1 in 3 women)

Have regular bleeds (1 in 4 women)

Have prolonged or frequent bleeding (1 in 4 women)

These changes are not harmful and may or may not settle within a few months.

Where can you have the implant inserted?

On the postnatal ward or birth centre-please let your midwife or doctor know if you would like this arranged. Or at your GP or local community sexual health service.

When can the implant be removed?

You can have the implant removed at any time. This can be done at your GP practice or community sexual health service. After removal, there is no delay in return to fertility.

Progestogen-only injection (POI)

A POI contains a form of progestogen similar to the natural progesterone produced by the ovaries. There are 3 forms of the injection. This following information is about the most widely used-Depo-Provera®-which needs to be administered every 13 weeks.

How does the injection work?

The main way it works is to stop your ovaries releasing an egg each month. It also thickens cervical mucus making it more difficult for sperm to penetrate and makes the lining of your uterus thinner, so it is less likely to accept a fertilised egg.

Can anyone use the POI?

Most women can use the POI-your midwife or doctor will ask you about your medical history to ensure you are suitable. An injection may not be suitable for you if you have liver disease, current or previous breast cancer, arterial disease, history of serious heart disease or stroke.

How soon after delivery can I start using the POI?

You can start using the POI immediately after the birth of your baby and before you leave the maternity unit or birth centre.

How effective is the POI?

If you have the injection every 13 weeks it is more than 99% effective. This means that fewer than 1 woman in 100 will become pregnant. If the next injection is delayed, about 6 in 100 women will become pregnant.

Advantages of the POI

It can be administered immediately after the birth of your baby

It is safe to use during breastfeeding

You do not have to think about contraception for as long as the injection lasts

It is not affected by other medicines

For some women, it may reduce heavy painful periods and help with premenstrual symptoms

Disadvantages of the POI

There are no serious side-effects with the contraceptive injection, however women may experience:

Irregular bleeding-a majority of women will experience lighter bleeding, or it may stop altogether, and this may continue for some months after you stop using the injection

Some women experience weight gain (<10%)

There can be a delay of up to one year before the return of your periods and fertility, however this varies greatly between women

Risks of the POI

As with any injection, there is a small risk of irritation at the injection site

You can have an allergic reaction to the injection, but this is very rare

Prolonged use may lead to some thinning of your bones-this is not normally a problem, but if you have a risk factors for osteoporosis, it is advisable to use an alternative method of contraception

How is the POI given?

You need to have an injection of Depo-Provera® once every 13 weeks-it is injected into muscle, usually in your buttocks.

Where can you get the contraceptive injection?

You can be given the injection before you leave the unit and will need to arrange your next injection at 13 weeks with your GP or community sexual health service.

Progestogen-only pill (POP)

The POP is a tablet containing the hormone progestogen. This is similar to the natural progesterone produced by the ovaries. The following information is about the POP containing a progestogen called Desogestrel which is the most effective POP.

How does the POP work?

The main way it works is to stop your ovaries releasing an egg each month. It also thickens cervical mucus making it more difficult for sperm to penetrate and makes the lining of your uterus thinner, so it is less likely to accept a fertilised egg.

Can anyone use the POP?

Most women can use the POP. The midwife or doctor will ask about your medical history to ensure that you are suitable. The POP may not be suitable for you if you take certain medications, have current or previous breast cancer or have liver disease. It is not suitable if you have a soya or peanut allergy.

How soon after delivery can I start the POP?

You can start taking the POP immediately after the delivery of your baby and before you leave the maternity unit or birth centre. If you delay, pills should be started before the baby is 21 days old.

How effective is the POP?

The effectiveness of the POP depends on how well you follow the instructions. If the POP is taken perfectly then it is more than 99% effective, with fewer than 1 in 100 women getting pregnant in one year. If the POP is not always taken according to instructions, this changes to 9 in 100 women.

Advantages of the POP

It can be started any time after the birth of your baby

It is safe to use during breastfeeding

It can be stopped at any time and your fertility will return to normal straight away

It may help with premenstrual symptoms and painful periods

Disadvantages of the POP

There are no serious side-effects with the POP, but:

More than half of women using POP will notice a change in bleeding pattern-bleeding may become irregular, light, more frequent, last longer or stop altogether, this may settle down and is not harmful

You need to remember to take the pill around the same time every day

You may get some side-effects such as spotty skin, breast tenderness and headaches-these may settle within a few months

Risks of the POP

The POP is very safe. Infrequent risks include:

Developing small, fluid-filled cysts on the ovaries which are not dangerous and do not usually need to be treated (occurs in up to 1% of women)

If you become pregnant while taking the POP, there is a small risk (10%) that the pregnancy will be in the tube (ectopic pregnancy)

How do I take the POP?

You should take one tablet daily around the same time every day. It is best to attach pill taking to an activity that you do at the same time each day to prompt you to remember it. There are 28 pills in a packet and after finishing a pack you should move straight onto the next pack. Do not take breaks.

What do I do if I forget to take it on time or miss a pill?

If you are less than 12 hours late:

Take the pill as soon as you remember

Take your next pill at the normal time and you will still be protected from pregnancy

If you are more than 12 hours late:

You should restart your pills as soon as you remember and use a condom or abstain from sex or for 48 hours

If you have had unprotected sex during this time you should talk to your pharmacist/GP/community sexual health service about emergency contraception

What should I do if I am sick or have diarrhoea?

If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the POP, it will not have been absorbed, so take another pill as soon as you can. Use additional precautions during and for 48 hours after sickness or diarrhoea has stopped.

Where can I get the POP?

On the postnatal ward or birth centre-please let your midwife or doctor know. You will be given a 6-month supply on discharge and further supplies can be obtained from your GP or local community sexual health service.

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We offer a wide choice of contraceptive options after the birth of your baby. A space of one year or more between birth and your next pregnancy is recommended, as evidence suggests it improves health outcomes for you and your children.

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Home-Start is ready to support families through their toughest times.

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Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times. We are there for parents when they need us the most because childhood can’t wait.

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Gestational diabetes videos created by our Diabetic Team at Chelsea and Westminster.

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Choose us

Get help (maternity helpline)

Chelsea and Westminster
T: 020 3315 6000

Mum & Baby app

Our Mum & Baby app supports your journey with us through your pregnancy, birth and life with your baby-download it today!

Care Information Exchange

The Care Information Exchange gives you online access to your results, scans and appointments during your pregnancy. Find out more.

eRedbook app

eRedbook is an NHS-approved app that allows you to keep a secure digital record of your child's health and development-download and register today!

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Chelsea and Westminster T: 020 3315 6000 Our Mum & Baby app supports your journey with us through your pregnancy, birth and life with your baby-download it today! The Care Information Exchange gives you online access to your results, scans and appointments during your pregnancy. Find out more.

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Factual information from the start of pregnancy to early parenthood. This app has been created by with the NHS.

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From the start of pregnancy to early parenthood, this app has been developed with the NHS to navigate your choices for maternity care in England.

You can:

* set your due date

* explore maternity units near you

* self-refer for care at your chosen maternity unit

* access information for all stages of your maternity journey

* make personalised plans for your care during pregnancy, birth and beyond

* keep track of your appointments and make notes

* access local contacts and information in specific NHS areas

* use the content without specifying an NHS area.

Mum & Baby has been developed in partnership between women, their partners, families and maternity staff from NHS trusts in North West London.

Independent rating
ORCHA, the Organisation for the Review of Care & Health Applications, has awarded its prestigious kitemark to the Mum & Baby app. When reviewed against 180 different criteria the app achieved 86%, the highest rating of any pregnancy and birth app tested by ORCHA.

Reviews and updates

The contents of the Mum & Baby app will be reviewed quarterly and updated accordingly by the North West London Local Maternity System - an approved panel of clinicians and service users to ensure that information given remains accurate, up-to-date and relevant for user.

Credit

The first version of Mum & Baby was launched in 2014 and was built through the initiative of Dr Sunita Sharma, Lead Consultant of Postnatal Services at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, supported CW+, the charity of Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (CWPLUS Registered Charity No.1169897). The app was subsequently expanded and updated, led by midwife project managers in the North West London 'early adopters' team in 2018 and 2019. This project would not have been successful without the ongoing support of CW+ and Imagineear and the North West London Local Maternity System.

Glitchy still

Was recommended this by my community midwife as just launched in area. App is still glitchy with problems. Can't enter any of my many appointment dates in as won't allow to save with empty fields, even when all the fields are completed. I think once bugs are fixed it will be a useful app.

Just doesn't work

Every appointment I go to, my midwife wants to check I am using this app.
But it just doesn't work. It's crashed every single time I've opened it. First I see the 'enter your due date' screen, I tap to enter the due date and it crashes.
Every time.
I've uninstalled and reinstalled, tried installing on a different phone, nothing works.
I have an iPhone SE 2020, my husband has the newest Samsung phone, between the two of us we have two of the most common phones. There's no excuse for this app not to work at all on either of them.

If the NHS are putting as much weight on this app as it seems like they are from my appointments, it's obviously very important that it actually work.
Our local midwife unit was shut down during covid, there are barely any midwives or nurses available at the local hospital. I'm pregnant and scared, there's no one to talk to and all I have is this useless, broken app.

Brilliant app!

This app has been really reassuring throughout my pregnancy - it has so much information available, I've used it as a source of information when I have questions between my midwife appointments. Would thoroughly recommend!

The developer, imagineear, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy.

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

Privacy practices may vary based on, for example, the features you use or your age. Learn More

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‎From the start of pregnancy to early parenthood, this app has been developed with the NHS to navigate your choices for maternity care in England. You can: * set your due date * explore maternity units near you * self-refer for care at your chosen maternity unit * access information fo...

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COVID-19 information for all women and birthing people currently booked with us for care

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Thank you for using the maternity services at Chelsea and Westminster and West Middlesex hospitals. We would like to update you on the most recent changes that we have made to our maternity services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and most recent government announcements.

As well as reading the information below, please download our leaflet which contains additional information on the virus and testing for all women.

Important information about COVID-19

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and following the government's and Public Health England's measures for pregnant women to reduce social contact, we have taken steps to change the way we are providing some of your care.

This is a constantly changing situation and we would like you to use this website for the most up-to-date information and advice.

We would like to reassure women that our birth centres and home birth services are fully operational across both our sites and, for well women, water birth remains a birth option.
If you think you may be unwell with COVID-19 please do the follo wing:

Arrange a COVID-19 test via www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

Inform us if you have moderate or escalating symptoms on our helpline numbers:

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital: 020 3315 6000, option 1

West Middlesex University Hospital: 020 8321 5839

If you have received a positive COVID-19 swab result or are isolating because of contact tracing, and do not have any symptoms, please let us know through the following numbers:

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital: 020 3315 6000, option 3 for antenatal clinic or please contact your community midwifery team

West Middlesex University Hospital: 020 8321 5839, option 3 for the antenatal clinic and leave your contact details

COVID-19 symptoms

The signs of coronavirus according to Public Health England are:

High temperature (fever): This means that you feel hot to touch on your chest or back and your temperature is at 37.8°C or above

A new continuous cough: Coughing for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours

Loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

Testing

We are currently offering women and other birthing people a COVID-19 test in the following situations:

2-3 days prior to an elective procedure such as induction of labour or elective caesarean section

If you are admitted to hospital during your pregnancy

When you are admitted to hospital in labour

At regular intervals throughout your inpatient stay, should it be greater than 2 days

If you are re-admitted to hospital after having given birth to your baby and being discharged home

We are piloting testing for support people in certain situations and aim to extend this in the near future. You will be given details regarding this if applicable to you and your support person at the time.

As per the recommendations from NHS England, we would like you and your support person to do the lateral flow testing 24 hours before routine appointments and to continue to do these twice a week. More information about this is at the top of the maternity services homepage.

Please note: If you and your support person both decline testing when admitted for labour and birth, your support person will be unable to be in ward areas, including the antenatal and postnatal wards. Without knowing your COVID-19 status, we must ensure we continue to protect all others from transmission as best we can and, therefore, encourage everyone to take part in all testing on offer.

Care details and partner/support pe rson attendance restrictions

The COVID-19 pandemic means we are required to make difficult decisions relating to the service that we provide. We make these decisions based on our duty of care both to you as expectant parents and to the staff who work for our NHS services.

We ask, at the moment, that you continue to only have one designated person who will be your support person throughout your pregnancy and birth care. We ask that you do not swap this person with any other, unless they become unwell themselves and so are unable to attend to support you. Should this person become unwell during your labour and birth and has to return home, an alternative person may attend.

For your safety and the safety of others we ask that you and your partner/support person undertake twice weekly LFT testing as communicated nationally as part of the national roll out of home testing. Tests can be ordered online via the national portal and we ask that you and your partner/support person self-administer a test within the 24 hours prior to an appointment.

We base these decisions on local infection rates, current hospital admissions, staff sickness and any lockdown in England.
Unfortunately, children may not attend the maternity unit at any time.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for adhering to our precautions and code of conduct which can be found in the COVID-19 information leaflet. Without your and your partner's/support person's support in this, we would not have been able to facilitate the presence of everyone within our buildings as much as we have and continue to plan to do when possible. Complying with our policy regarding at home LFT testing, a signed declaration on entering the buildings, temperature checks, face coverings, regular hand hygiene and minimal entering and exiting from the room which you occupy is so very important in helping us to keep everyone safe.

Antenatal and scan appointments

Routine midwifery appointments: Partners/support people are able to attend in person. They remain more than welcome to join virtually, should you prefer. We continue to have challenges providing adequate social distancing in the waiting areas for clinics, so encourage your partner/support person to only attend if this is essential to you. They will also be asked to wait outside until the appointment begins, to help reduce the number of people in the waiting areas. Children may not attend at any time.

Scan appointments: Your partner/support person may attend any of your scans. We continue to ask them to wait outside the clinic until the appointment starts, to help reduce the number of people in waiting areas. Children may not attend at any time.

Obstetric antenatal appointments: Partners/support people are able to attend in person. They remain more than welcome to join virtually, should you prefer. We continue to have challenges providing adequate social distancing in the waiting areas for clinics, so encourage your partner/support person to only attend if this is essential to you. They will also be asked to wait outside until the appointment begins, to help reduce the number of people in the waiting areas. Children may not attend at any time.

Antenatal admissions (staying in hospital during pregnancy)

If you have an antenatal admission onto the ward for any reason other than induction of labour, your partner/support person may attend between 8am and 8pm.

If you are having an induction of labour, your partner/support person may attend at any time, including outpatient induction appointments. If you are in early labour and you need your partner/support person to remain with you because you are labouring, they will be able to stay with you for a period of 24 hours.

For your safety and the safety of others we recommend that your support person on the antenatal ward is not interchangeable.

If you have an additional need for a second support person to be present during your stay, please discuss this with your midwife. Prior agreement may be granted for those who feel they have exceptional circumstances. Both support people will be required to complete the health declaration form and ensure an LFT test is done and uploaded onto the NHS website prior to attendance.

Labour and birth

Your partner/support person will be able to remain with you throughout your labour and birth, whether this is in the birth centre, labour ward or theatre. When you come in for your initial assessment in labour, your partner/support person will be able to remain with you. For non-labour attendance to the triage/assessment suite they may be asked to wait outside depending on your reason for attendance.

A second support person may also attend for labour and birth. They will need to complete the health declaration form and may only be present in the birth areas. Only one support person is able to be present in theatre.

What happens if you have a test and it comes back COVID-19 positive?

If you are admitted in labour, and the test that we took on your admission comes back positive a few hours later, under government legislation your partner/support person is a contact and must return home to self-isolate. As your partner/support person is already in the building at this point, they may remain for labour and birth and then must return straight home to self-isolate for 10 days.

If you have your COVID-19 test as a preassessment appointment prior to induction of labour or elective caesarean and it comes back positive, your partner/support person is a contact if they are from the same household as you or have been in close contact with you. As a contact, government legislation means they must self-isolate for 10 days and not leave the house. There is no exception for labour and birth. In this situation we are unable to facilitate your partner/support person to attend with you. We acknowledge how challenging this may be and, to minimise the chance of this happening, we urge you to self-isolate from 36-37 weeks as much as you possibly can as a household. Please know we will have an individual conversation with you about what this means for you and how we will ensure you are supported.

Postnatal admission (staying in hospital after you give birth)

After giving birth, if you are not going home within six hours, you will be admitted to the postnatal ward. Your partner/support person is able to be with you between the hours of 8am and 8pm. If you give birth during the night, your partner/support person will be able to remain with you following your baby's birth until you are admitted to the postnatal ward, which is usually 1-2 hours after birth.

Postnatal visiting at home after birth

The midwives will be coming to see you at home following your birth. They will be wearing PPE and we ask that only those who need to be present in the room with you stay in that room to support social distancing, and that face coverings are worn by you and anyone else in the room. Please provide facilities for your midwife to wash and dry their hands. You may receive a telephone call first to assess your needs for visiting-please answer your phone to any 'unknown' numbers.

Our community midwives have been asked to keep their footwear on in your home by our infection control teams to help prevent transmission of the COVID-19 virus. Their shoes are wiped clean and the midwives carry clinical wipes to clean them. We recognise that, for some families, you may request we remove our shoes. Unfortunately this will not provide protection for either our staff or your and other families, and we ask for your understanding at this time. Shoe covers are not recommended as they can potentially spread the virus during the process of removing them from the shoe.

Your partner/support person

Your partner/support person should bring with them everything they need, such as food, drink and a toothbrush, so they can remain in the room with you.

Your partner/support person must have no symptoms (current or within the last 7 days) and, for labour, must have completed the declaration and have performed an LFT test within the last 24 hours to be allowed access to the unit.

They must wear a face covering/surgical mask at all times.

If your partner/support person is living in a household with someone who has had coronavirus, they need to have self-isolated for 14 days to be allowed onto the unit, as per Public Health England guidance.

If there are indications that your partner/support person may have COVID-19 they will be asked to leave the premises immediately and to self-isolate at home for a period of 10 days. They will not be granted admission to the unit within this isolation period.

Women and other birthing people have the right to birth in a safe environment and staff have the right to be protected to perform their jobs in a safe environment. Please consider other women and families when you are making this declaration. We cannot stress enough that this is a protective measure for you, your family and the staff who want to care for you.

We pledge that we will stay at home when we are sick, and we are asking the same of your birth support. We do hope that you will understand the reasoning behind us enforcing this process, and that you will support us to maintain partners' attendance in labour and birth.

You can also receive regular updates by following the social media sites of our Maternity Voice Partnership, or contact them with your feedback:

Further information

Please also see the ' Your pregnancy and birth', ' leaflets and information' and ' antenatal education ' sections of this website for additional support during your pregnancy, birth and afterwards.
If you experience any of the following during your pregnancy please call us:
When to call us

Chelsea and Westminster (Maternity Assessment Suite): 020 3315 6000, option 1

West Middlesex (Triage): 020 8321 5839

Symptoms
If you experience any of the following in the days after your birth please call us:

Vaginal bleeding

Your baby is not moving, or the movements are not the usual pattern

Constant tummy pain

Persistent headache not resolved with paracetamol

Starred vision or disturbed vision

Epigastric pain not resolved with antacids

Chelsea and Westminster (Maternity Assessment Suite): 020 3315 6000, option 1

West Middlesex (Triage): 020 8321 5839

Symptoms

If your bleeding is becoming heavier or you are passing clots

You are concerned that your wound site is becoming infected (red, inflamed, painful, swelling, oozing)

Your vaginal discharge is offensive, or your stitches become more painful

You are concerned about your baby feeding or your baby is sleepy and not waking for feeds

You feel unwell and/or feverish

You have pain or swelling in your legs or feel short of breath

If you have any other concerns

Relationships with others

Is someone you are close to making you feel afraid or frightened? You are not alone and it is safe to talk about this with any of your care providers or you can call these numbers below:

Chelsea and Westminster: 07583 172 928

West Middlesex: 07817 077 122

National Helpline: 0808 2000 247

Your baby's movements

During COVID-19, your baby's movements are as important as ever.

Should you have any concerns please contact your midwife on the numbers above.

Facebook Live service updates

Join our consultant midwives Natalie and Louise every other Friday at 2pm to hear about any additional service updates via Facebook Live through our Chelsea and Westminster Maternity Voices page.

Virtual antenatal classes

We have created a package of virtual antenatal classes and are running Zoom sessions in place of face-to-face classes.

Post-birth contraception services

Access to primary care contraceptive services and sexual health services is significantly reduced due to COVID-19. For this reason, the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) guidance has been updated to recommend that all maternity units provide contraceptives prior to discharge from maternity services. It is important to note that the community contraceptive services may continue to be limited for the foreseeable future.

As fertility returns rapidly after childbirth, effective contraception should be started as soon as possible after childbirth by both breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers. This will enable you to plan any subsequent pregnancy and reduce risks associated with short intervals between pregnancies.

The recommendations include:

Long acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) methods which are highly effective and include coils, implants and depo injections.

Progesterone only pills (POP) which are extremely safe with very few contraindications to their use. The POP can be started immediately after the birth (or by Day 21) without any need for additional contraceptive precautions. We will offer all women a six-month supply of this unless there are any medical contraindications.

While there will be a few circumstances when these options may not be suitable or you may have a preference for other methods, the maternity team members will be able to support you through these.

You are advised to access information about contraceptive choices (also on our Mum & Baby app, see sidebar) before your next consultation with the maternity team. We recommend that you decide on your preferred method of contraception prior to giving birth so that we can facilitate this without delaying your discharge from hospital.

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Thank you for using the maternity services at Chelsea and Westminster and West Middlesex hospitals. We would like to update you on the most recent changes that we have made to our maternity services in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and most recent government announcements.

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There are different types of classes available, depending on whether this is your first or subsequent baby.
Our antenatal classes are for women who are 30 or more weeks into their pregnancy(unless your midwife has advised you to book earlier).
Birth preparation/antenatal classes — Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (chelwest.nhs.uk)

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Available in Arabic, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi on our website
https://www.chelwest.nhs.uk/services/maternity/leaflets-and-information

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We will undertake the mini glucose test, recheck your full blood count and group and antibodies at this appointment.

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Another Padlet with resources about:
Feeding and Nurturing your Baby (padlet.com)

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Conversation about bonding with your baby.
Please prepare for your appointment by discussing these points with family members/supporters.

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- columns are titled for ease of search

- click on the website link (in red) or photograph to open the web page/document

- please scroll right to see all topics

- please scroll down each column to find additional links/research

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Residents of Ealing,

Hounslow or Hammersmith

& Fulham

West London NHS Trust

Ground Floor, Building 135,

Hammersmith Hospital,

Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS

020 3313 2022

wlm-tr.maternitytlc@nhs.net

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Maternity Action is the UK’s maternity rights charity dedicated to promoting, protecting and enhancing the rights of all pregnant women, new mothers and their families to employment, social security and health care.

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challenging inequality : promoting wellbeing

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Gestational diabetes is diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. It affects women who haven’t been affected by diabetes before. It means you have high blood sugar and need to take extra care of yourself and your bump. This will include eating well and keeping active.

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Please sign up to Care Information Exchange for access to your blood test results

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The Care Information Exchange is Powered by Patients Know Best

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An induced labour is one that's started artificially.

It's common for labour to be induced if your baby is overdue or there's any risk to you or your baby's health.

This risk could be if you have a health condition such as high blood pressure, for example, or your baby is not growing.

Induction will usually be planned in advance. You'll be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages with your doctor and midwife, and find out why they think your labour should be induced.

It's your choice whether to have your labour induced or not.

If your pregnancy lasts longer than 42 weeks and you decide not to have your labour induced, you should be offered increased monitoring to check your baby's wellbeing.

Why you might be induced

if you're overdue

if your waters have broken

if you or your baby have a health problem

If you're overdue

Induction will be offered if you do not go into labour naturally by 41 weeks, as there will be a higher risk of stillbirth or problems for the baby.

If your waters break early

If your waters break more than 24 hours before labour starts, there's an increased risk of infection to you and your baby.

If your waters break after 34 weeks, you'll have the choice of induction or expectant management.

Expectant management is when your healthcare professionals monitor your condition and your baby's wellbeing, and your pregnancy can progress naturally as long as it's safe for both of you.

Your midwife or doctor should discuss your options with you before you make a decision.

They should also let you know about the newborn (neonatal) special care hospital facilities in your area.

If your baby is born earlier than 37 weeks, they may be vulnerable to problems related to being premature.

If your waters break before 34 weeks, you'll only be offered induction if there are other factors that suggest it's the best thing for you and your baby.

If you have a health condition or your baby is not thriving

You may be offered an induction if you have a condition that means it'll be safer to have your baby sooner, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

If this is the case, your doctor and midwife will explain your options to you so you can decide whether or not to have your labour induced.

Membrane sweep

Before inducing labour, you'll be offered a membrane sweep, also known as a cervical sweep, to bring on labour.

A membrane sweep would usually be offered to you after 39 weeks.

To carry out a membrane sweep, your midwife or doctor sweeps their finger around your cervix during an internal examination.

This action should separate the membranes of the amniotic sac surrounding your baby from your cervix. This separation releases hormones (prostaglandins), which may start your labour.

Some women find the procedure uncomfortable or painful. You may get some cramping and vaginal bleeding afterwards.

If labour does not start after a membrane sweep you may be offered an additional sweep or induction of labour.

Induction is always carried out in a hospital maternity unit. You'll be looked after by midwives and doctors will be available if you need their help.

How labour is induced

If you're being induced, you'll go into the hospital maternity unit.

There are 2 main ways labour can be induced:

Hormones can be put inside your vagina using a vaginal tablet (pessary) or a gel, or given as tablets that you swallow.

Devices such as balloon catheter (a small balloon, full of water) or an osmotic dilator (a type of sponge) can be used to widen your cervix.

You'll usually be offered hormones first to see if they work, unless there's a medical reason you cannot take hormones.

It usually takes many hours for these treatments to start working. You will usually stay in the hospital maternity unit, though you may be able to go home in some cases.

Sometimes a hormone drip is needed to speed up the labour. You may also need to have your waters broken artificially.

What induced labour feels like

If you need to be induced it may affect where you can give birth. You may need to stay in hospital for longer and have more examinations.

Induced labour is usually more painful than labour that starts on its own.

Your pain relief options during labour are not restricted by being induced.

You should have access to all the pain relief options usually available, such as an epidural or water birth.

If you are induced you'll be more likely to have an assisted delivery, where forceps or ventouse suction are used to help the baby out.

If induction of labour does not work

Induction is not always successful, and labour may not start.

Your obstetrician and midwife will assess your condition and your baby's wellbeing. You may be offered another method of induction or a caesarean section, or you may be able to wait a few hours and then be assessed again.

Your midwife and doctor will discuss all your options with you.

Natural ways to start labour

There are no proven ways of starting your labour yourself at home.

You may have heard that certain things can trigger labour, such hot baths, certain food or drinks, having sex or herbal supplements. But there's no evidence that these work. Also there's no information about the safety of herbal supplements and they could be harmful to you or your baby.

Having sex will not cause harm, but you should avoid having sex if your waters have broken as there's an increased risk of infection.

For more information on induction, you can read the NICE information for the public on induction of labour.

Community content from HealthUnlocked

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Find out about induction of labour, where the midwife or doctor starts labour artificially using a membrane sweep, pessary or hormone drip.

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If not already issued following your scan, please ask for your MATB1 form.
The Maternity Certificate (MAT B1) enables a pregnant woman to claim:

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from her employer

Maternity Allowance (MA) from Jobcentre Plus

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Get more detailed information at our online breastfeeding workshops:
Chelsea and Westminster Antenatal Breastfeeding Online Workshop Registration, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

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Residents of Brent, Harrow,

Hillingdon, Kensington &

Chelsea or Westminster

Central & North West London

NHS Foundation Trust

St Charles Hospital,

Exmoor Street, London W10 6DZ

020 7685 6384

cnwl.maternitytlc@nhs.net

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Helpful information for women living in Hammersmith and Fulham

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The family information service (FIS) provides impartial information and advice on facilities for children and young people aged up to 19.

It covers services provided by the council and organisations in the voluntary, private and independent sectors in Hammersmith & Fulham.
Visit the FIS directory
Only the FIS has access to the latest local Ofsted (the Office for Standards in Education) information on childcare and early years education.

We can advise you on how to choose the type of childcare or early years service that best suits your needs and send you up-to-date lists, including contact details for:

childminders (some offer baby sitting)

nurseries

pre-schools

crèches

children's centres

after-school care and holiday play schemes

extended services in schools

parent and toddler groups

toy libraries

activities for children and young people.

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The family information service (FIS) provides impartial information and advice on facilities for children and young people aged up to 19. It covers services provided by the council and organisations in the voluntary, private and independent sectors in Hammersmith & Fulham.

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For parents and parents to be from conception to 6 months postnatal. Provides week-by-week updates on your baby's development.

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Baby Buddy, the award-winning app for parents and parents-to-be

Baby Buddy is your free and advert-free personal virtual friend and baby expert who will guide you through your pregnancy from conception until your baby is six months old.
Your Baby Buddy app will send useful bite-sized daily information that is just right for you and your baby. For a full list of Baby Buddy's features see below.

Baby Buddy is a multi-award winning pregnancy and parent app accredited by the NHS, and endorsed and trusted by health professionals. Baby Buddy will help build your knowledge and confidence so that you can give your baby the best start in life.

Tap You and Your Baby in the main menu for a range of useful features. Ask Me is for all your questions about anything you want to know about being pregnant and becoming a parent. If you are in a relationship then there are handy relationship tips for you and your partner too. Text and video clips are all quality-assured by Royal Colleges and other health organisations. Find about nutrition, exercise, antenatal appointments, breastfeeding, bottle feeding, baby brain builders, mental health and so much more.

Personalised Pregnancy and Baby Tools:

● Ask me - type in any pregnancy question for your Buddy to answer with expert information
● Today's Information - Baby Buddy provides you with personalised daily information about your pregnancy and baby.
● Videos - a growing range of clips to help you get your head around different pregnancy and baby topics
● Local support - a map of useful local health services such as hospitals, mothers and baby support groups, baby clinics, GP and midwife services.
● Bump and Baby Book - a diary where you can record your thoughts, feelings and photos throughout your pregnancy and after your baby is born
● Appointments - a handy reminder of the dates and times for your check-ups.
● Remember to ask - a reminder list for questions to ask at your midwife or GP next appointment
● What does that mean? - Find the meaning of pregnancy-related terms
● You can do it! - a tracker for your personal goals and achievements
● Tell us what you think - where you can give us your feedback so that we can make the app even better

Baby Buddy is the creation of the national charity Best Beginnings - working to give every child the best start in life.

Baby Buddy is endorsed by the NHS, the Department of Health, the Royal College of Midwives, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Community Practitioners and Health Visitors Association, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, and the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Baby Buddy is designed to support all parents to look after their own and their baby's physical and mental health. Baby Buddy is featured in Better Births, supports the Maternity Transformation Programme and supports key public health priorities including maternal and infant mental health.

We'd love you to help us make Baby Buddy even better. Your opinion counts. All you need to do is take a few minutes to complete three short in-app questionnaires that will appear after you have been using the app for a while. This will then also unlock a new outfit or accessory for you Baby Buddy!

This new version fixes some issues with the registration screens and videos on certain iPad devices, as well as an update to our text-to-speech functionality.

Lovely app

I have used this app every day since I was 9 weeks pregnant and my son is now nearly 12 weeks old. I find the daily information really useful, especially when it has links to extra information if I want to know more.
One thing I would say is some of it needs to be updated. The daily info for 11 weeks 2 days is about the 2nd lot of immunisations, and it is out of date. It states that there are 2 injections and liquid drops at 12 weeks, but since July 2016 it has been changed to 1 injection and liquid drops, as men c vaccine is no longer given at 12 weeks (states on NHS website). This, and other information like this, should be double checked with the NHS since this app is being recommended by the NHS.

Highly recommended

I've already told all my pregnant friends about it, because it's been so useful to me. Simple, clear, bite-sized information is what you need when you're busy during pregnancy and tired and busy during the baby's first months.
The type of information is wide ranging, the tone is friendly and encouraging, never patronising, and the app addresses not only practical concerns but also deals with emotional ones - partner relationship, body image, etc.
I've also enjoyed the videos. I sometimes shared ideas or information from the app with my family during this process, and sometimes thus was an easier way to introduce a conversation topic with my boyfriend.
I did not read anytime else during my pregnancy (apart from labour pain management). I felt both informed but not overloaded with information.
The info can seem too simple at times, but it's been written by experts, despite the simple tone! Highly recommend!

No support for miscarriage

When I first downloaded this app, it was recommended to my by my midwife as the NHS's choice. Initially I thought it was great, until at my 12 week scan I was told my baby had no heart beat. The next 3 weeks were horrific, but being told repeatedly that 1/3 pregnancies end in miscarriage meant that I knew I had to deal with this and move on. Repeatedly receiving notifications on my babies progress was excruciating and not having the ability in this app to report the end of my pregnancy was shocking. There was no help or guidance on miscarriage and the notifications on babies progress was relentless. With this app being the recommended app by the NHS and not having any information or support on miscarriage is sad. When I tried to email the support team to suggest this was a feature to add (as I can imagine I'm not the first to find this as a problem) all I got back was "we can't respond to every email".
Other apps out there have just as much content but with the added content of miscarriage - download a different one and spare the heart ache 💔

Hello,

We are so sorry to hear that you had a negative experience. We are quick to respond to email requests to disable an account for any reason but don't seem to have a record of your complaint anywhere?
It is also strange that we don't send out a standard email about not responding to all emails so if you could email us at app@bestbeginnings.org.uk, it would help us understand what happened.
We are in any case developing a more meaningful end of pregnancy pathway to support parents with loss.

Please take care.

Baby Buddy Team

The developer, Best Beginnings, has not provided details about its privacy practices and handling of data to Apple. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy.

No Details Provided

The developer will be required to provide privacy details when they submit their next app update.

Information

Compatibility

iPhone

Requires iOS 10.0 or later.

iPad

Requires iPadOS 10.0 or later.

iPod touch

Requires iOS 10.0 or later.

Mac

Requires macOS 11 or later and a Mac with the Apple M1 chip.

Age Rating

12+ Infrequent/Mild Sexual Content and Nudity Infrequent/Mild Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References Infrequent/Mild Medical/Treatment Information

Family Sharing

Up to six family members will be able to use this app with Family Sharing enabled.

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‎Baby Buddy, the award-winning app for parents and parents-to-be Baby Buddy is your free and advert-free personal virtual friend and baby expert who will guide you through your pregnancy from conception until your baby is six months old. Your Baby Buddy app will send useful bite-sized daily info...

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Screening tests for you and your baby | NHS

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Reminder to book antenatal classes/breastfeeding workshops.
Link: Antenatal education — Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (chelwest.nhs.uk)

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In this video, we look at the importance of developing close and loving relationships with babies in their early days and weeks.

Responding to babies' needs for comfort and food is hugely beneficial for brain development and makes for more confident toddlers. Parents should be supported in breastfeeding responsively and keeping their babies close to help them become happy, healthy and secure children and adults.

For more information:

Find more relationship building resources

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The Importance of relationship building video - Baby Friendly Initiative

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This video looks at the importance of developing close, loving relationships with babies in their early days and weeks.

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Are you struggling or feeling isolated during this COVID-19 pandemic?

Best Beginnings and our delivery partners are here for you and your family.

We are offering free emotional support to new and expectant mothers, fathers, and other non-birth parents across England until the end of November.

In collaboration with Bethel Health & Healing Network, MumsAid, and The Fatherhood Institute, we have have partnered with Barnardo's on their See, Hear, Respond programme to provide you with some extra support during this difficult time.

There are two ways we can help you - you won't even need to leave your front door:

Online advice and Support

Personalised daily information from our free NHS approved Baby Buddy app - your digital best friend!

24/7 access to the confidential Crisis Messenger text line if you are in emotional distress.

Hundreds of films and written information to support you through pregnancy and your baby's first months.

Group support sessions
You can join a small group of other antenatal or postnatal parents - we have separate groups for mums, dads, or other non-birth parents. You'll meet weekly for three or more weeks and together will be supported by two experienced facilitators. The Group support sessions are a friendly supportive online group, connecting you to other parents during the pandemic. Together you'll discuss some of the following topics, depending on the needs of your group:

Managing Anxiety and Stress

Self Care

Preparing for Birth and the role of Birth Partner

Responsive feeding

Understanding your Baby and Good Sleep Practices

COVID-19 advice and other information and helpful resources

To register for one or more of these types of support, please fill in the form below.

Latest

Related

Most read

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At Best Beginnings we believe in the power of collaboration to create and provide quality-assured and evidence based information for families. All of our content is co-created with parents and healthcare professionals and vetted by external Healthcare bodies and parents. Read more

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Are you struggling or feeling isolated during this COVID-19 pandemic? Best Beginnings and our delivery partners are here for you and your family. We are offering free emotional support to new and expectant mothers, fathers, and other non-birth parents across England until the end of November.

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Helpful information for women living in Wandsworth

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We provide free information and advice on services, including activities for children and young people aged 0 - 19 years (or 25, if the child or young person has a special need or disability)

To browse all activities and services you can use the search engine above, alternatively you can refine your search by clicking on the categories below.

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We provide free information and advice on services, including activities for children and young people aged 0 - 19 years (or 25, if the child or young person has a special need or disability) To browse all activities and services you can use the search engine above, alternatively you can refine your search by clicking on the categories below.

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Mush is the #1 app for mums, helping mums everywhere to instantly become part of their local mum community. Mush makes being a mum more brilliant. It was created by Sarah & Katie who bonded over the nightmare of "two under two" and who wanted an easy and fun way to find local mum friends.

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Mush App for Mums: Meet Mum Friends Nearby

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Mush is the #1 app for mums, helping mums everywhere to instantly become part of their local mum community. Mush makes being a mum more brilliant. It was created by Sarah & Katie who bonded over the nightmare of "two under two" and who wanted an easy and fun way to find local mum friends.

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Access the web version of the guidance on the MAGICapp platform
Version 16.0: updated Thursday 15 December 2022. Guidance for healthcare professionals on coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in pregnancy, including guidance on vaccination in pregnancy, published by the RCOG, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Public Health England and Public Health Scotland. Updates made to this guidance are detailed within the document.

This document is for healthcare professionals.

We have also prepared information for pregnant women and their families, drawn from this guidance.

Further information for healthcare professionals and pregnant women eligible for COVID-19 vaccination is available from our COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy page.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19), infection in pregnancy

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Access the web version of the guidance on the MAGICapp platform Version 16.0: updated Thursday 15 December 2022. Guidance for healthcare professionals on coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in pregnancy, including guidance on vaccination in pregnancy, published by the RCOG, Royal College of Midwives, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Public Health England and Public Health Scotland.

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STFYAYB provides information about the screening tests offered during and after pregnancy.

Details

This information is about the screening tests you will be offered during your pregnancy and after your baby is born. It explains the different types of test and what the tests are looking for.

Easy read versions of this leaflet are available. Additional information is also available for parents of babies who are in a special care baby unit, neonatal intensive care unit or paediatric intensive care unit.

We hope this advice will help prepare you for discussions with your midwife or doctor so that you can ask the questions that are important to you.

It is your decision whether or not to have any of the tests described.

In this publication, we use the terms 'woman' and 'women' to refer to anyone able to become pregnant, including trans men. Trans men who are pregnant should be offered the same antenatal and newborn screening tests as other pregnant individuals.

The information is available in 12 other languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali and Urdu.

See how to print digital leaflets if you want to print any sections of this guidance.

Free printed copies of this leaflet are also provided for local screening providers to give to women who cannot access the internet. Screening services can view the full PDF of the printed leaflet and order printed copies on the APS online ordering portal (requires login).

Contact the screening helpdesk with any queries about this publication, making sure you include its full title.

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Screening tests for you and your baby (STFYAYB)

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STFYAYB provides information about the screening tests offered during and after pregnancy.

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Women and birthing people may need a blood transfusion for a variety of reasons. A blood transfusion might be needed to save your life or to prevent serious harm to your health and your baby’s health. Please read the below leaflets regarding blood transfusion

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Baby's movements are really important - if you are EVER worried please call our urgent helpline 02033156000, option 1 for Chelsea and Westminster
02083215839 (triage), 02083215953 (DAU) for West Middlesex

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Anxiety UK:

03444 775 774

Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 5.30pm

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Helpful information for women living in Westminster

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Learn what services are on offer for your family in your local area.
This directory brings together free, impartial information, advice and guidance on local and national services, help and support available for children and young people aged up to 19 (up to 25 years for those with additional needs), parents, carers, families and the practitioners working with them.
Please use the above themes, the search box (top of the page) or the Better Living Choices tool to find the right information, advice and services for you

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Learn what services are on offer for your family in your local area. This directory brings together free, impartial information, advice and guidance on local and national services, help and support available for children and young people aged up to 19 (up to 25 years for those with additional needs), parents, carers, families and the practitioners working with them.

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More than 1.3 million women worldwide have had COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy.

Studies following up nearly 350,000 pregnant women in the US and UK who were vaccinated in pregnancy have not raised any safety concerns. Since most of these women received mRNA vaccines, such as Comirnaty/Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna Spikevax, the JCVI advises that it is preferable for these mRNA vaccines to be offered to pregnant women in the UK, where available.

The UKHSA (formally Public Health England) and Public Health Scotland have reported that well over 150 000 pregnant women have received a COVID-19 vaccine in England and Scotland, with no serious adverse effects recorded. UKHSA data from April to June 2022 reported that 72.6% of women who gave birth had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine prior to giving birth.

Current research indicates COVID-19 vaccines do not contain ingredients that are known to be harmful to pregnant women or to a developing baby. Studies of the vaccines in animals to look at the effects on pregnancy have shown no evidence that the vaccines cause harm to the pregnancy or to fertility.

The COVID-19 vaccines being used in the UK are not 'live' vaccines and so cannot cause COVID-19 infection in you or your baby. Vaccines based on live viruses are avoided in pregnancy in case they infect the developing baby and cause harm. However, non-live vaccines have previously been shown to be safe in pregnancy (for example, flu and whooping cough).

Studies have shown that protective antibodies from vaccination do cross the placenta, helping with the baby's immunity to COVID-19. We know that catching COVID-19 during pregnancy can cause severe illness in a pregnant woman, which is why COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy is so strongly recommended.

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COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy and breastfeeding FAQs | RCOG

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These Q&As on COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy and breastfeeding are reviewed as new information and advice emerges.

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First conversation about feeding your baby.
Please prepare for your appointment by thinking about these questions/points.

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We offer a mini glucose tolerance test to women at 28 weeks.

If you are booked at West Middlesex please call
02083216816 for any questions regarding the MGTT.

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Mind

0300 123 3393

Open 09:00 – 18:00

Text: 86463

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Unvaccinated mothers share their COVID+ stories to urge pregnant women to get vaccinations.

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Unvaccinated mothers share stories to urge pregnant women to get jabbed

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General information about the value of breastfeeding.

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Conversation about how to start breastfeeding.
Please prepare for your appointment by considering what further information you may need.

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Please read if you have a RH NEGATIVE blood group

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Shout

24/7 free text service, for anyone in crisis needing immediate help.

Text Shout to 85258

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Advert for human milk - video.

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Recent News: Dutch researchers find Covid-19 antibodies in human milk

'We think when drinking the milk, the antibodies attach themselves to the surface of our mucous membranes,' Hans van Goudoever, head of the Emma children's hospital at the UMC, said. 'Then they attack the virus particles before they force their way into the body.' The UMC has now started a campaign to find 1,000 women who are willing to donate 100ml of breast milk for the research project. 'Women who may have had coronavirus without noticing it may also have made antibodies which can be found in milk,'

Here you'll find references and research supporting the information in the advert.

"Nature has been researching your milk for hundreds of millions of years"

"Your milk contains ingredients that kill cancerous cells"

"Your milk contains stem cells. These are cells that create and repair the body, and are being researched worldwide to cure conditions like Alzheimers and diabetes."

"Your body identifies bacteria and viruses found in your baby's body and environment. You then produce antibodies specifically tailored for those infections, and deliver them to your baby through your milk. The more milk she drinks, the more antibodies she receives."

"Your milk appears to switch on a gene in your baby's body, which produces a hormone called Leptin. This hormone tells your baby when his tummy is full, protecting him against over eating."

"Your milk contains Oxytocin, a hormone that induces relaxation, and feelings of well-being in your child and in you."

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The science of human milk and breastfeeding

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If you're diabetic, taking medication for high blood pressure, or know you may have a premature or small baby, read this leaflet to find out what additional support your baby needs to avoid low blood sugar.
We would encourage you to consider expressing your colostrum during pregnancy (see next leaflet down).

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For help with sleep, anxiety, low mood and stress

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Digital mental health and wellbeing support for Londoners

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Anxious, stressed, depressed or having trouble sleeping? Find NHS-approved mental health tools and advice to support you.

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Eating a healthy, varied diet in pregnancy will help you get most of the vitamins and minerals you need.

But when you're pregnant, or there's a chance you might get pregnant, it's important to also take a folic acid supplement.

It's recommended that you take:

400 micrograms of folic acid every day - from before you're pregnant until you're 12 weeks pregnant

This is to reduce the risk of problems in the baby's development in the early weeks of pregnancy.

It is also recommended that you take a daily vitamin D supplement.

Do not take cod liver oil or any supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) when you're pregnant. Too much vitamin A could harm your baby. Always check the label.
You also need to know which foods to avoid in pregnancy

Where to get pregnancy supplements

You can get supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets, or a GP may be able to prescribe them for you.

If you want to get your folic acid from a multivitamin tablet, make sure the tablet does not contain vitamin A (or retinol).

You may be able to get free vitamins if you qualify for the Healthy Start scheme.
Find out more about the Healthy Start scheme

Folic acid before and during pregnancy

It's important to take a 400 micrograms folic acid tablet every day before you're pregnant and until you're 12 weeks pregnant.

Folic acid can help prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects, including spina bifida.

If you did not take folic acid before you conceived, you should start as soon as you find out you're pregnant.

Try to eat green leafy vegetables which contain folate (the natural form of folic acid) and breakfast cereals and fat spreads with folic acid added to them.

It's difficult to get the amount of folate recommended for a healthy pregnancy from food alone, which is why it's important to take a folic acid supplement.

Higher-dose folic acid

If you have a higher chance of your pregnancy being affected by neural tube defects, you will be advised to take a higher dose of folic acid (5 milligrams). You will be advised to take this each day until you're 12 weeks pregnant.

You may have a higher chance if:

you or the baby's biological father have a neural tube defect

you or the baby's biological father have a family history of neural tube defects

you have had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect

you have diabetes

you take anti-epilepsy medicine

you take anti-retroviral medicine for HIV

If any of this applies to you, talk to a GP. They can prescribe a higher dose of folic acid.

A GP or midwife may also recommend additional screening tests during your pregnancy.
Find out about epilepsy and pregnancy

Vitamin D in pregnancy

You need 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day. It's recommended pregnant and breastfeeding women take a daily supplement containing this amount between September and March.

Vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Our bodies make vitamin D when our skin is exposed to summer sunlight (from late March/early April to the end of September)

Between the months of September and March the body cannot make sufficient vitamin D from sunlight alone, which is why a supplement is recommended.

Vitamin D is also in some foods, including:

oily fish (such as salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines)

eggs

red meat

Vitamin D is also added to some breakfast cereals, fat spreads and non-dairy milk alternatives. The amounts added to these products can vary and might only be small.

Because vitamin D is only found in a small number of foods, whether naturally occurring or added, it is difficult to get enough from foods alone.

Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful.

You can get vitamin supplements containing vitamin D free of charge if you're pregnant or breastfeeding and qualify for the Healthy Start scheme.

There have been some reports about vitamin D reducing the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19). But there is currently not enough evidence to support taking vitamin D solely to prevent or treat COVID-19.

If you have dark skin or cover your skin a lot

You may be at particular risk of not having enough vitamin D if:

you have dark skin (for example, if you're of African, African Caribbean or south Asian origin)

you cover your skin when outside or spend lots of time indoors

You may need to consider taking a daily supplement of vitamin D all year. Talk to a midwife or doctor for advice.

Iron in pregnancy

If you do not have enough iron, you'll probably get very tired and may suffer from anaemia.

Lean meat, green leafy vegetables, dried fruit and nuts contain iron.

If you'd like to eat peanuts or foods that contain peanuts (such as peanut butter) during pregnancy, you can do so as part of a healthy, balanced diet unless you're allergic to them or your health professional advises you not to.

Many breakfast cereals have iron added to them. If the iron level in your blood becomes low, a GP or midwife will advise you to take iron supplements.

Vitamin C in pregnancy

Vitamin C protects cells and helps keep them healthy.

It's found in a wide variety of fruit and vegetables, and a balanced diet can provide all the vitamin C you need.

Good sources include:

oranges and orange juice

red and green peppers

strawberries

blackcurrants

broccoli

brussels sprouts

potatoes

Calcium in pregnancy

Calcium is vital for making your baby's bones and teeth.

Sources of calcium include:

milk, cheese and yoghurt

green leafy vegetables, such as rocket, watercress or curly kale

tofu

soya drinks with added calcium

bread and any foods made with fortified flour

fish where you eat the bones, such as sardines and pilchards

Vegetarian, vegan and special diets in pregnancy

A varied and balanced vegetarian diet should provide enough nutrients for you and your baby during pregnancy.

But you might find it more difficult to get enough iron and vitamin B12.

Talk to a midwife or doctor about how to make sure you're getting enough of these important nutrients.

If you're vegan or you follow a restricted diet because of a food intolerance (for example, a gluten-free diet for coeliac disease) or for religious reasons, talk to a midwife or GP.

Ask to be referred to a dietitian for advice on how to make sure you're getting all the nutrients you need for you and your baby.
Find out more about healthy eating if you're pregnant and vegetarian or vegan

Healthy Start vitamins

The Healthy Start scheme may be able to help you buy food and milk if you're pregnant or have a child under 4 years old and receive certain benefits, or you're pregnant and under 18.

If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card which you can use to buy certain types of milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables.

You can also use your card to get free vitamins.

If you're not eligible for the Healthy Start scheme, some NHS organisations still offer the vitamins for free, or sell them. Ask a midwife about what's available in your area.

More information:

Get Start for Life pregnancy and baby emails

Sign up for Start for Life's weekly emails for expert advice, videos and tips on pregnancy, birth and beyond.

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Vitamins, minerals and supplements in pregnancy

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Find out about vitamins, minerals and supplements in pregnancy, including why you should take a folic acid supplement.

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Expressing your colostrum (early breastmilk) during pregnancy.
Hand expression video - Baby Friendly Initiative (unicef.org.uk)

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Mental wellbeing audio guides

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On this page you can listen to a series of mental wellbeing audio guides to help you boost your mood.

You can listen to them privately, in your own time, to help you through feelings such as anxiety or a low mood.

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Listen to a series of mental wellbeing audio guides to help you through feelings such as anxiety or a low mood.

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Find out what food and drink you can have and what you should avoid or be careful with during pregnancy, such as some cheeses, meats, fish, eggs, nuts, caffeine and alcohol.

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Pregnancy mindfulness app

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Calm, clear and connected

Brought to you by Smiling Mind, Mind the Bump is a free Mindfulness Meditation App to help individuals and couples support their mental and emotional wellbeing in preparation for having a baby and becoming a new parent.

Brain Education

Learn about the brain and the importance of Mindfulness Meditation.

Mindfulness vs Mindlessness

Learn about the difference between the state of Mindfulness and Mindlessness.

Child's Brain Development

An overview of how a child's brain develops over time and the importance of mindfully caring for children.

Collaboration

As advocates for positive mental health and wellbeing, Smiling Mind developed the Mind the Bump App program with psychiatrists and psychologists who specialise in Mindfulness Meditation, mental health, perinatal health and online wellbeing.

The Program

Mind the Bump provides tailored exercises to support your mental and emotional wellbeing from day one of pregnancy through to 24 months after birth. The program is for mothers, fathers, single parents and same sex couples. It can also be used by health professionals working with new and expecting parents.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the process of paying attention to the present moment, with purpose and without judgment. The activities in this App will train your brain and build your ability to be mindful. This will build your capacity to manage stress, change, and build connection.

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Calm, clear and connected Brought to you by Smiling Mind, Mind the Bump is a free Mindfulness Meditation App to help individuals and couples support their mental and emotional wellbeing in preparation for having a baby and becoming a new parent. Learn about the brain and the importance of Mindfulness Meditation.

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Aspirin in pregnancy information

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Aspirin patient information leaflet cross site

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Revisit the decision tree to help you decide on birth setting.

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It's natural to have some feelings of anxiety when you are pregnant. But if you are feeling anxious most of the time and find it difficult to relax you may need help

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Stop smoking service that you can self refer to

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There has never been a better time to kick start your health.

Quit smoking today and you will see immediate health benefits. You will also be protecting those around you from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

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There has never been a better time to kick start your health. Quit smoking today and you will see immediate health benefits. You will also be protecting those around you from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.

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Know the signs

There are several signs that labour might be starting, including:

contractions or tightenings

a "show", when the plug of mucus from your cervix (entrance to your womb, or uterus) comes away

backache

an urge to go to the toilet, which is caused by your baby's head pressing on your bowel

your waters breaking

The early (latent) stage of labour can take some time.

Latent phase of labour

The start of labour is called the latent phase. This is when your cervix becomes soft and thin, and starts opening for your baby to be born. This can take hours or sometimes days.

You'll probably be advised to stay at home during this time. If you go to the hospital or maternity unit, they may suggest you go back home.

Find out more about the stages of labour and what you can do at home during the latent phase.

Call your midwife if you're unsure or worried about anything.

What do contractions feel like

When you have a contraction, your womb tightens and then relaxes. For some people, contractions may feel like extreme period pains.

You may have had contractions during your pregnancy, particularly towards the end. These tightenings are called Braxton Hicks contractions and are usually painless.

Your contractions tend to become longer, stronger and more frequent as your labour progresses. During a contraction, the muscles tighten and the pain increases. If you put your hand on your abdomen, you'll feel it getting harder; when the muscles relax, the pain fades and you will feel the hardness ease.

The contractions are pushing your baby down and opening the entrance to your womb (the cervix), ready for your baby to go through.

Your midwife will probably advise you to stay at home until your contractions become frequent.

Call your midwife or maternity unit for guidance when your contractions are in a regular pattern and:

last at least 60 seconds

come every 5 minutes or

you think you are in labour

Read more information on when to go to hospital

Backache often comes on in labour

You may get backache or a heavy, aching feeling.

A "show" can signal the start of labour

During pregnancy, there's a plug of mucus in your cervix. This mucus comes away just before labour starts, or when in early labour, and it may pass out of your vagina. This sticky, jelly-like pink mucus is called a show.

It may come away in 1 blob or in several pieces. It's pink because it contains a small amount of blood.

If you're losing more blood, it may be a sign something is wrong, so phone your hospital or midwife straight away.

A show indicates that the cervix is starting to open. Labour may quickly follow or may take a few days. Sometimes there is no show.

What happens when my waters break

It's likely your waters will break during labour, but it can also happen before labour starts.

Your baby develops and grows inside a bag of fluid called the amniotic sac. When it's time for your baby to be born, the sac usually breaks and the amniotic fluid drains out through your vagina. This is your waters breaking. Sometimes when you're in labour, a midwife or doctor may offer to break your waters.

If your waters break naturally, you may feel a slow trickle or a sudden gush of water you cannot control. To prepare for this, you could keep a sanitary towel (but not a tampon) handy if you're going out, and put a protective sheet on your bed.

Amniotic fluid is clear and pale. Sometimes it's difficult to tell amniotic fluid from urine. When your waters break, the water may be a little bloodstained to begin with.

Tell your midwife immediately if:

the waters are smelly or coloured

you're losing blood

This could mean you and your baby need urgent attention.

If your waters break before labour starts, call your midwife. Use a sanitary pad (not a tampon) so your midwife can check the colour of the waters.

If labour does not start after your waters break

It's usual to go into labour within 24 hours of the waters breaking. You'll be offered an induction if you do not because, without amniotic fluid, there's an increased risk of infection for your baby.

Until your induction, or if you choose to wait for labour to start naturally, tell your midwife immediately if:

your baby moves less than usual

there's any change in the colour or smell of any fluid coming from your vagina

You should take your temperature every 4 hours when you're awake, and tell your midwife if it's raised. A raised temperature is usually above 37.5C, but you may need to call before this - check with your midwife.

There's no evidence that having a bath or shower after your waters have broken increases your risk of infection, but having sex might.

How to cope when labour begins

At the beginning of labour, you can:

walk or move about, if you feel like it

drink fluids - you may find sports (isotonic) drinks help keep your energy levels up

have a snack, if you feel like it

try any relaxation and breathing exercises you've learned to deal with contractions as they get stronger and more painful - your birth partner can help by doing these with you

have your birth partner rub your back - this can help relieve pain

take paracetamol according to the instructions on the packet - paracetamol is safe to take in labour

have a warm bath

Find out what happens during labour and birth, and what you can do for pain relief in the early stages of labour.

Get Start4Life pregnancy and baby emails

For information and advice you can trust, sign up for weekly Start4Life pregnancy and baby emails.

Community content from HealthUnlocked

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There are several signs that labour might be starting, including: contractions or tightenings a "show", when the plug of mucus from your cervix (entrance to your womb, or uterus) comes away backache an urge to go to the toilet, which is caused by your baby's head pressing on your bowel your waters breaking The early (latent) stage of labour can take some time.

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Support for mums and families | Maternal Mental Health Alliance

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© Maternal Mental Health Alliance 2023. Maternal Mental Health Alliance is a charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) registered in England and Wales No. 1178152. Registered address International House, 12 Constance Street, London E16 2DQ.

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Birthplace in England Research Programme | SHEER | NPEU

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Birthplace is a multidisciplinary programme of research addressing questions relating to the provision, safety and costs of different settings for birth in the NHS. The programme included the Birthplace national prospective cohort study, which compared perinatal and maternal outcomes by planned place of birth; a linked cost-effectiveness study; a descriptive study of the configuration of maternity care in England; and a set of qualitative organisational case studies.

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Good birth stories are powerful. Hearing a mother's experience - how she felt, what helped her feel strong, the way they were loved and listened to - it's more than comfort. It's a model to copy.

Learning from first-hand experience gifts you confidence for your birth. And when you also have a story to share, you can pay that forward in turn.

For nine years, tell me a good birth story has been building a big chain of beautiful birth stories. The link gets longer all the time, so if you'd like to add to it, please get in touch. Whether waterbirth or caesarean, induction or a breech birth at home, if you want to contribute your experience as a way to support new parents, contact us using the SHARE YOUR STORY page.

As for how to use this site.....head over to our library and dive in. A scroll's ok. But better still, get yourself a cup of tea and have a proper 'meeting' with the people sharing their stories there. In amongst the tales you'll find some tips from me - pearls and pointers about what all women need, wherever their birth journey takes them.

For further encouragement, my book is packed with practical guidance, and will help provide a clear path to you having a positive birth experience yourself.

Buy a copy, for yourself or a friend, and you'll be supporting our site and helping our community to grow.

'Absolutely loved this book. Very informative and full of no-nonsense, real and realistic advice about giving birth. A fantastic resource for preparing for a positive birth experience, whatever kind of birth you have. On top of that, it is a beautiful book with gorgeous imagery. A joy to read.' Noobug, Amazon Customer

'Natalie is all your mothers, your sisters, your aunties and your friends arriving bearing the gifts of their experience and wisdom. Nothing this book shares with us is useless; every page holds a nugget that could make birth or parenting easier or more beautiful. Reading the section on labour I felt I could hear Natalie's warm, kind voice, holding my hand as she passed on the deep, intuitive knowledge that can only come from years spent accompanying parents through labour and birth.' AIMS ( Association for the Improvement of Maternity Services )

'I adored this book and can't stop recommending it to people. I read it when pregnant with my second child and learnt so much, despite having giving birth before. It made so much sense! I learnt about all the stages of labour and was so much better prepared for my second birth. I loved the suggestions of lavender and hot water bottles, and other tips. It made me feel nurtured and excited about the birth. A very special book!' Jo

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Good birth stories are powerful. Hearing a mother's experience - how she felt, what helped her feel strong, the way they were loved and listened to - it's more than comfort. It's a model to copy. Learning from first-hand experience gifts you confidence for your birth.