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Reasonable Adjustments Toolkit

In the UK, under the Equality Act 2010, we have the right as neurodivergent people to request 'reasonable adjustments' to the way a service is delivered so that it is accessible to us. This includes changes to the way maternity care is provided. The 'Reasonable Adjustments Toolkit' can be used as a standalone document to communicate your support needs, can be used a part of a Birth Plan, or can be used simply as a prompt to help you consider what is most important to you. You can download it for free here.

Sensory Toolkit

Our environment has a huge impact on how we feel during labour, birth and postnatally, and this is even more pertinent when we experience sensory processing issues and/or sensory sensitivities. Our Sensory Toolkit infographics prompt you to consider how your sensory comfort can be supported during labour, birth and the postnatal time. We have a 'Home' and 'Hospital' edition, and you can download them for free here.

GET THE DOWNLOADABLE FILES FOR FREE NOW!

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ND Birth | Neurodivergent Birth Downloads

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Discover free toolkits to support neurodivergent individuals during maternity care. Download the Reasonable Adjustments Toolkit to communicate your needs and the Sensory Toolkit to enhance comfort during labour, birth, and postnatal care.

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For those with breast cancer and young children 

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For those with breast cancer and young children 

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This booklet is to help families talk to children about breast cancer. Set out as a children’s story book, it covers diagnosis, going into hospital, and more.

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Breast changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding

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Breast changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding

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Skip to main content

A note on terms:
Everyone has breast tissue and people of all genders can get breast cancer. To be clear and consistent, we use the word 'breasts' in our health information, rather than boobs, pecs or chest. When we say breasts, we mean the tissue from your rib cage up to your collarbone and armpits, including your nipples.

Download our Pregnancy Leaflet

Download our new, free resource booklet containing everything you need to know about your breasts during and after pregnancy.
Download Now

Your Pregnancy Breasts

It is normal for your breasts to change during pregnancy. Both pregnancy and breastfeeding cause breast changes because your breasts respond to pregnancy hormones. During pregnancy and breastfeeding you might notice the following changes to your breasts:

Changes in size or shape

Changes in skin colour

Increased sensitivity

Visible veins

It is important that you keep checking your breasts throughout pregnancy, to help you get to know the natural fluctuations that occur.
Here are some common changes that happen to your breasts during pregnancy:

Pain or discomfort - Mild discomfort in your breasts is normal during pregnancy or breastfeeding, but anything more could be a sign of another change. Pain on its own is not a sign of breast cancer, but if your breasts hurt it is important that you discuss it with your doctor or midwife. Conditions such as mastitis or blocked ducts must be formally diagnosed by a doctor. If you wear a bra, make sure you get measured by a trained bra-fitter so you're not wearing the wrong size. Our friends at the National Childbirth Trust have more information about bras for you, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Breast lumps - Any unusual breast lumps should always be checked out by a doctor. Talk to your doctor or midwife if you are concerned about a breast lump, whether you are pregnant or not. Some benign (not cancer) breast lumps are more common in pregnancy. These are:

Fibroadenomas. These are not cancer but they are a common cause of breast lumps. If you had one in the past, it might come back or get bigger if you get pregnant.

Cysts (Fluid-filled sacs).

Galactoceles (Milk-filled cysts).

These are benign (not cancer) lumps, but they should all be diagnosed by a doctor. Do not ignore breast lumps, get them checked out!

Breastfeeding

Whether you choose to breastfeed or not, you should be informed about what to expect.

If you are breastfeeding, you will notice that your breasts naturally change. You should keep checking your breasts monthly - that will help you get to know the natural fluctuations that occur during breastfeeding. Having 'pregnancy boobs' is no reason to ignore or overlook signs or symptoms of breast cancer. If in doubt, get checked out.
Does breastfeeding lower breast cancer risk?
Breastfeeding reduces your lifetime risk of breast cancer by roughly 2%. The longer you breastfeed for, the more you lower your risk. It is not fully known why breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast cancer. It might be because pregnancy and breastfeeding stop the ovaries from producing eggs (ovulation). Stopping ovulation reduces oestrogen, and that might be why breastfeeding reduces breast cancer risk.

Breast Cancer in Pregnancy

It is rare to get breast cancer while you are pregnant, but it can happen. Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer is breast cancer that is diagnosed during pregnancy or up to a year after giving birth. 1 in 3,000 pregnant women will be diagnosed with breast cancer every year. That means around 200 women a year in the UK. If you are diagnosed with breast cancer while you are pregnant, you are also more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage.

We know it can be scary when your breasts change, but we want to empower you to get to know your 'new normal'. You know your breasts better than anyone else! Get checking, and always talk to your doctor if you have any unusual changes.

CoppaFeel! is accredited by the Patient Information Forum.

Our health information carries the PIF TICK quality mark, so you can be assured it is reliable and trustworthy.

This information was published in April 2021. It will be revised in April 2024.

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Pregnancy & Breastfeeding | Breast Changes | CoppaFeel!

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It is normal to experience breast changes in pregnancy. Both pregnancy & breastfeeding cause breast changes. Learn more here.

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CoppaFeel! | Check Your Chest | Breast Cancer Awareness Charity

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Breast cancer can affect any body. Getting to know yours could save your life. Learn more about breast cancer awareness with CoppaFeel!.

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How to check your breasts or chest | NHS

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Get to know your normal by checking your breasts regularly. Touch your breasts. Look for changes. Check anything new or unusual with a GP. What’s your normal?

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Find out how to check your breasts or chest (also known as a self-examination), what symptoms to look for, and what to do if you notice a change that is not normal for you.

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Some barriers to maternity services are systemic, particularly for newly arrived migrant communities. There is no single source of information and explanations of the process, and many Roma expectant parents lack understanding of the maternity care pathway. There is also a move towards digital services which makes it difficult for people to access appointments and reliable information, and it is also not well advertised that patients can ask for interpreters at appointments.

Many of the other barriers to women receiving antenatal and postnatal care are grounded in Roma taboos and traditions around childbirth, which are associated with cultural conceptions of cleanliness and purity. Starting with antenatal care, in the Roma community healthcare is widely seen as curative and not preventative, and pregnancy is treated as a normal part of life and not a health issue. This leads to a lack of understanding of why attending checkups to get screening and blood tests are needed. There is also a linguistic taboo around using words like "breast" in breast feeding, showing pictures of genitals, or touching areas of the body seen as sexual. For materials on breastfeeding, see our page of Resources for the Roma Community. (Scroll down to the section on Children and Parenting).

A key barrier to postnatal care is that in traditional Roma culture a woman is considered "unclean" for a period of time after giving birth - usually one month, but in some very traditional communities up to three months, where she does not leave the house and is supported by female family members. The husband may move out of the home during this time. This custom is known as a purity period and will often mean missing routine appointments outside the home, such as the baby's first immunisation or heel prick test.

Roma mothers are often not aware of what will happen on home visits and why - for example, that private conversation is needed or that instructions on breastfeeding may involve touching parts of the body seen as taboo. They may also be unaware of the option to seek help for postnatal depression, or afraid of getting help due to distrust of health professionals and the taboo around mental health problems described here.
Recommendations:

Offer training on cultural practices for GPs, midwives, maternity/perinatal health services and health visitors, including the postpartum "purity period" and good practice on home visits.

Work with community organisations to hold Q&A sessions on maternity care for Roma women with female practitioner nurses in community venues.

Produce information for distribution by GPs in community languages that explains the pregnancy care pathway, which professionals are involved and the reasons behind common practices.

Rename sensitive terms in material and training, eg. "natural feeding" for breastfeeding.

Provide women after the birth with information they can use during the postpartum "purity period", eg. on preventing cot death, breast feeding, heel prick test and first bath for the baby.

Explain to the family what will happen on health visits, and the need for private conversation / instructions that may involve touching.

Ensure that maternity staff provide pre-natal and post-natal support for Roma women on public health messages, signposting to immunisation, sexual health and mental health.

Avoid using children as interpreters, especially on gynaecological issues.

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Contents Introduction to the Roma health guide Barriers to healthcare for the Roma community - System barriers - Language barriers and communication - Cultural barriers ​ Common health...

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This page has been made by Traveller women for Traveller women with information to support you during and after your pregnancy.

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Welcome to Pavee Mothers - Pavee Mothers

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This page has been made by Traveller women for Traveller women with information to support you during and after your pregnancy

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If you are having difficulties, please contact the Friends, Families and Travellers helpline on 01273 234 777

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Maternity Care and Support - Friends, Families and Travellers

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If you are pregnant, this page helps you understand your rights to NHS maternity care and what support or services are available.

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Ensuring Perinatal MH services are inclusive to LGBTQ+ families

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14 reactions · 3 comments | Ensuring perinatal mental health services are inclusive to LGBTQ+ families. 

Join our member Eve Canavan as she meets with Lucy Warwick Guasp on this important subject. 

#journeystorecovery | Perinatal Mental Health Partnership

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Ensuring perinatal mental health services are inclusive to LGBTQ+ families. 

Join our member Eve Canavan as she meets with Lucy Warwick Guasp on this important subject. 

#journeystorecovery

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Queer people's experiences of conception, pregnancy, birth and parenting are under-recorded, under-researched and under-heard.

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Ask DadPad, LGBTQI+ Parents, Mental Health

Posted on 17th September 2021

As regular followers of our blog posts will appreciate, here at DadPad we're especially interested in supporting all new parents' mental health during the perinatal period, and do our best to keep on top of the research that's coming out in order to further our work. Unfortunately, though, although research into the previously overlooked and ignored area of paternal perinatal mental health is improving and growing all the time - which is fantastic! - the same cannot be said for other parent demographics, with research into the perinatal mental health experiences of LGBTQ+ parents still fairly thin on the ground. As a fabulous article by Zoe Darwin and Mari Greenfield from 2019 points out:

Queer people's experiences of conception, pregnancy, birth and parenting are under-recorded, under-researched and under-heard. Research on pregnancy continues to be 'centred within a heteronormative framework'... and this needs to change, to address the invisibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people... [Although there is some published literature on LGBTQ parents in existence], few of the published articles relating to LGBTQ reproduction examine birth experiences or focus on perinatal mental health. Much progress has been made in the area of paternal perinatal mental health but continuing to adopt a heteronormative approach in this area risks conflating gender and role. For example, which aspects of paternal perinatal mental health are linked to being a 'man' or 'father', and which to being a co-parent or (often) secondary caregiver?

For these reasons, it's therefore tricky to write confidently about this topic, but it can't be ignored, as LGBTQ+ parents are experiencing perinatal mental health difficulties just like all other parents. Being aware of the fact that mental health difficulties can arise during pregnancy, birth and early parenthood, knowing what signs and symptoms to look out for, and knowing where to go to access support if you feel you need it - these are all essential pieces of information for all new parents, to ensure that they are able to do their best for their new and growing families. We therefore want to try and help... Following her "Where do I go to access support for my mental health?" blog post for dads written for International Fathers' Mental Health Day back in June, DadPad's Georgie has now written a follow-up piece which looks at some of the reasons why LGBTQ+ parents might need especial support for their own mental health during the perinatal period, and suggests some sources of help for those affected...

Becoming a parent for the first time is a significant life change for all parents, regardless of gender or sexuality. However, for LGBTQ+ parents, it can be a particularly stressful time as they often come across more challenges and barriers when planning a pregnancy, accessing fertility treatment, navigating surrogacy pathways, understanding legalities, and receiving the right care during their pregnancy, birth and beyond.

LGBT+ people in general are at a greater risk of poor mental health and wellbeing than the general population, not because they are more susceptible to poor mental health but because they are exposed to more things that can affect their mental wellness. In 2017, Stonewall commissioned YouGov to survey over 5,000 LGBT people about their life in Britain and published a report on their findings, which can be found here.

We know, from established research findings, that perinatal mental health conditions such as postnatal depression are not specific or limited to the birthing person. Our "Can dads get post-natal depression?" blog post from September 2020, for example, identifies that:

PND affects more than 1 in every 10 women within the first year following birth, and that fathers and partners can also be affected;

hormonal changes around the time of the birth affect dads as well as mums, with dads explaining a drop in testosterone and a rise in oestrogen levels, all of which helps him to become a more sensitive father/co-parent, better able to meet his child's needs; and

it's now recognised that PND is caused not simply by hormonal changes but also due to situational changes, which obviously apply to all parents, including: lack of sleep, added responsibilities, increased worry about all sorts of things, dealing with and negotiating relationships with the wider family, plus environmental factors (such as income, housing, and education) and psychological ones (such as previous mental health, coping skills, etc).

Clearly, although we don't yet have the research to confirm this, it's fairly easy to see that all these points are applicable across the board, to all those becoming new parents.

Added to this, though, are some specific reasons why the mental health of LGBTQ+ parents can be even more at risk of being negatively affected, including:

not being able to be open about their gender or sexuality;

judgement or lack of support from family and friends;

exposure to homophobia/transphobia;

not being able to gain equal access to the right health and social care services;

a lack of understanding of LGBTQ+ health and needs by professionals;

a lack of LGBTQ+ support or community in their local area;

changes to their body and relationships during the fertility and pregnancy journey;

a traumatic birth;

being separated from their baby after birth; and

not being seen as the parent of their baby(ies).

What to look out for

Although there are specific reasons why LGBTQ+ parents are at greater risk of poor mental health during the perinatal period, then, the signs of a deterioration in a person's mental health are the same as the general population, which may include:

finding it difficult to stay focused

being easily distracted

becoming disorganised

procrastination

questioning your abilities or performance as a parent or in your job

finding it difficult to make decisions

worrying about things more than you usually would

getting overwhelmed by things

engaging less in in day-to-day activities

low mood

tearfulness

finding it difficult to control your emotions

irritability and short temper

aggression

tiredness and lack of energy

sleeping more, or sleeping less

talking less and avoiding social activities

talking more or talking very fast, jumping between topics and ideas

drinking more than usual

drug abuse (either recreational or prescription)

loss of interest in sex

Looking out for yourself and your co-parent

Sometimes it can be difficult to detect when your mental health is declining and the symptoms may not be obvious to the person experiencing them to start off with - it's often a partner, family member or friends who notice the symptoms first. If you or those around you are noticing symptoms, it's important to look at what you are doing to care for yourself.

Top tips for maintaining your wellbeing as a parent:

Move your body: Any kind of exercise is great for your wellbeing. Your body releases feel-good hormones when you exercise, which can help you manage periods of stress, low mood and anxiety.

Fuel your body: When you're going through periods of stress, low mood and anxiety, it's easy to neglect yourself. The symptoms of poor mental health can also affect your appetite. Factoring in time to eat, planning what you're going to eat in advance and keeping what's on your plate balanced and colourful will help you stay on the best form possible.

Express your feelings: Don't bottle things up! By noticing how you feel and trying to put it into words, you are creating the space to deal with the feelings appropriately and be supported by others. Often we only express our feelings when we are triggered into a reaction, which isn't helpful for ourselves or others around us.

Keep in touch: Everyone has busy lives but keeping in touch with family and friends who are supportive of you is essential to everyone's mental wellbeing, can reduce feelings of isolation and creates regular opportunities to share how you are feeling.

Ask for help: A problem shared is a problem halved; asking for help does not make you weak or a failure. Reaching out can feel difficult, though, especially if you are used to being the one everyone usually comes to for advice and support.

Do things you enjoy: Making time for joy is important when it comes to maintaining your mental wellbeing. It sounds simple but, when we are busy, our hobbies and interests are usually the first things to be left off the list of things to do.

Rest and recover: Being busy seems to be a normal part of day-to-day life, which reinforces the idea that resting is lazy. Planning periods of rest into your week gives your mind permission to switch off, gives you the mental space to reflect on things and creates the physical time to care for yourself.

When you need a bit more help...

Sometimes, despite your best efforts to care for your mental wellbeing and look out for signs of mental illness, you may need some extra input, and that's OK.

The best place to start is with your GP, who will be able to listen to what's going on for you and tell you what treatments are on offer to you. Common mental health problems are often treated with a combination of medication and talking therapies through your local NHS IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) service, but you may also be able to be signposted to nearby peer support groups or wellbeing activities through your local social prescribing service.

If you are experiencing severe mental health problems, you may also be linked up to your local mental health team.

It's important to remember that there is no 'one size fits all' approach to tackling poor mental health and being opened to exploring what is on offer will help you to figure out what works for you best. Your GP, however, isn't the only person you can talk to about your mental health or the only way for you to access support, so set out below is a simple summary to help you better understand the various options that are out there.

Where to go to find support:

Contact your GP: Your GP can prescribe a range of SSRI medications (a group of medications commonly used to treat mental health conditions), refer you on to your local IAPT service (see below) or specialist mental health service, or social prescribe activities in your area. Your GP may also be aware of local peer support groups, with other people who have experienced poor mental health. If you struggle to talk to a healthcare professional about your health, it's fine to bring someone along to support you. You might also want to check out this handy interactive checklist which you can build before sitting down in the doctor's office: www.docready.org.

Talk to a Mental Health First Aider: Your place of work or a group or organisation that you are part of may have trained mental health first aiders as part of the team. Mental health first aiders are trained to: promote mental health within the workplace or a group; be able to listen to people with mental health concerns; and signpost on to the right services for you. Speaking with a mental health first aider is confidential, unless there is a safeguarding concern which needs acting on (e.g. if you disclose that you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm). For more information please visit https://mhfaengland.org/.

IAPT Service (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Service): You can be referred to your local IAPT service or refer yourself, but you must be registered with a GP. The service will assess your mental health using a standard psychological questionnaire and, depending on your answers, will refer you to the most appropriate service they have available. What's on offer can range from self-guided help, to group courses and limited 1:1 therapy sessions (usually all involving a model of therapy called CBT, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). If the IAPT service feel you need more in-depth care, they may refer you on to other NHS specialist mental health services. For more information on IAPT services near you, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/.

Specialist Mental Health Service: Your local NHS Trust will also have a range of specialist mental services that deal with more severe mental health conditions. You can access these services by being referred to them by your GP or via another healthcare professional involved in your care. If you feel you are in crisis, you can call to be assessed by your local crisis team. The care you receive is dependent on the severity of your mental health. For information on accessing mental health support urgently, please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/.

Social prescribing: Social prescribing is a way for your GP to refer you to a link worker, who will be able to give you time, focusing on 'what matters to me' and takes a holistic approach to your health and wellbeing. They connect you to local community groups and statutory services who will be able to offer you practical and emotional support. What you can access, depends on what's on offer in your local community, but this could include a range focused activities to support your mental health, such as: walking, gardening, swimming, cycling, team sports, yoga, meditation, breathwork, arts and crafts and counselling. For more information, please visit https://www.england.nhs.uk/personalisedcare/social-prescribing/.

Peer support: There are peer support groups run by LGBTQ+ people with lived-experiences of fertility, pregnancy, birth and parenthood across the UK. They are trained to be able to listen, offer empathy and signpost to relevant information. Peer support groups offer the opportunity to talk to others about how you feel, to be part of a supportive community and to explore activities that can support your mental health. Supporting others as a peer supporter can also be a great way to maintain your own mental health, too, once you are well again. To find out more about peer support, please visit https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/p/peer-support.

Charities and organisations: There are a number of charities and organisations across the UK that are specifically set up to support LGBTQ+ people. Depending on the charity or organisation's aims and mission, they may have specialist information, resources and support on offer. Some charities and organisations also have helplines that you can call to talk to a specialist trained call listener; this can be an invaluable service if you are in crisis or would just like to talk to another human.

What next?

If this blog has inspired you to find out more, or to reach out for help, then some of the following might be useful:

We have a number of other blog post articles on topics related to dads' mental health but which may also be applicable to your situation, including: how to support your own and your partner's perinatal mental health, whether dads can get postnatal depression (PND), and why dads' mental health matters. You can access all of our mental-health-related blog posts via this link: https://thedadpad.co.uk/category/mental-health/.

Georgie also wrote a blog post back in April which focused upon some of the main sources of support for LGBTQ+ parents.

In terms of information on important sources of mental health support, you may find the following useful:
PANDAS Foundation UK

FREE helpline: 0808 1961 776. Available on all landlines from Monday - Sunday 11.00 am-10.00 pm, the helpline is manned by a team of trained volunteers who will be happy to chat to you and direct you to the right support.

Email Support: info@pandasfoundation.org.uk, available 365 days a year. They'll respond within 72 hours, and you are invited to get in touch if you'd like any more information regarding perinatal mental illness or are looking for support for yourself or your partner, friend or colleague.

PANDAS also have a Facebook group that you might like to follow [PANDAS Foundation page] on which their social media team updates on current perinatal mental health news and reports.

Samaritans

FREE helpline: 116 123. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Samaritans' volunteers will listen to you, with no judgement or pressure, to help you work through what's on your mind.

If you find it easier to write things down, you can also email them on jo@samaritans.org (with a 24-hour response time) or write them a letter.

The Mind mental health charity has a specific page dedicated to LGBTIQ+ mental health, alongside their list of mental health crisis helplines and listening services, which you may find useful.

In terms of support services specific to the LGBTQ+ population, you might want to check out the following:
FFLAG

FFLAG are a national voluntary organisation and charity dedicated to supporting families and their LGBTQ+ loved ones.

Their webpage includes a link to ELOP, a holistic lesbian and gay centre in East London which offers a range of social, emotional and support services to LGBTQ+ communities.

FFLAG also have a dedicated webpage with information for LGBTQ+ parents.

Galop

Galop support LGBTQ+ people who have experienced abuse and violence.

Their National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline is available weekdays via 0800 999 5428, or you can email them help@galop.org.uk.

They also offer Webchat and Chatbot services via their website.

LGBT Foundation

The LGBT Foundation offer a huge range of advice, information and support for the LGBTQ+ community and those who work with them.

They also run a helpline which has an especial focus on supporting those experiencing mental health difficulties. You can ring them each weekday between 9.00am-9.00pm on 0345 330 3030.

Their helpline webpage also has links to and information on a range of other support services.

Pink Therapy

Pink Therapy are the UK's largest independent therapy organisation working with gender and sexual diversity clients.

You can find out more about what they do and the services that they offer via their website.

Stonewall

The Stonewall information service is open on weekdays from 9.30am-4.30pm on 0800 050 2020.

Their 'What's In My Area?' webpage enables you to search for local mental health (or other) support groups local to you.

Their website also offers information on a range of advice and support services, and has a specific page of information on Parenting Rights.

Switchboard

Switchboard provide a one-stop listening service for LGBTQ+ people on the phone, by email via chris@switchboard.lgbtor via instant messaging.

Their helpline is open daily from 10.00am-10.00pm and can be accessed via 0300 330 0630.

Intercom Trust

References and further reading:

Bachman, C & Gooch, B (2018). LGBT in Britain: Health Report. Stonewall. [ online]

Darwin, Z & Greenfield, M (2019). Mothers and others: the invisibility of LGBTQ people in reproductive and infant psychology. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 37:4, 341-343. [ online]

Malmquist, A et al (2019). Minority stress adds an additional layer to fear of childbirth in lesbian and bisexual women, and transgender people. Midwifery, 79. [ online]

Warwick-Guasp, L (2021). LGBTQ+ families and perinatal mental health. iHV. [ online]

Various (2018). LGBTI Populations and Mental Health Inequality. [ online]

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LGBTQ+ parents mental health support | Ask DadPad

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Georgie looks into the options for LGBTQ+ parents who need support for their mental health during the perinatal period.

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This page looks at issues that can be particularly relevant to LGBTQ+ single parents. So if you’re gay, lesbian, bi, trans, queer, non-binary – or unsure about your gender or sexuality or gender – you might find this page helpful alongside the rest of our information for single parents.

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LGBTQ+ single parents face some unique challenges. So it’s important to know your rights and where to get support if you need it for you or your children.

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We are run by and deliver services for LGBT+ parents / carers to be, LGBT+ parents / carers and their children living in Greater Manchester (and the North West). We know how rare organisations like ours are so our ethos is: if you’re willing to travel we’re happy to welcome you!

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Proud 2 b Parents is an inclusive organisation for all routes to parenthood. We are run by and deliver services for LGBT+ parents/ carers to be , LGBT+ parents/ carers and their children living in Greater Manchester.

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Support for LGBTQIA+ families

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Helpful Organisations

There are a wide range of organisations who provide tailored support for families of premature or sick babies.

LGBTQIA+ support

Find below organisations who provide support and advice, specifically for the LGBTQIA+ community:

Stonewall have some great information on parenting rights, including parental responsibility, family leave and pay, adopting, fostering, co-parenting, fertility treatment and surrogacy.

Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline provides a listening service for LGBT+ people over the phone, via email and online chat. It can provide you with contact details of an LGBT-friendly therapist.

Imaan is a charity that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or questioning (LGBTQ) Muslims, providing an online forum where people can share experiences and ask for help.

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With over 90,000 babies born premature or sick and admitted to neonatal care every year in the UK, many families are touched by a neonatal experience. However, many LGBTQIA+ parents feel underrepresented in the neonatal support available.

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Warwickshire Pride campaigns for the voice and visibility of LGBT+ people, as well as running a range of support services and social activities

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A registered charity for the organisation of LGBT+ services and events

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Strong & happy LGBTQ+ adoptive & foster families

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Strong & happy LGBTQ+ adoptive & foster families

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Does the adoption sector in Britain have a lesbian problem? That’s the question some are asking with the release of the latest statistics for Scotland. On the surface the story was of maintaining the status quo. 1 in 8 adoptions were to same-gender couples in Scotland in 2024. But that proportion masked a tumble in adoptions to female couples. That figure almost halved between 2023 and 2024 – falling from 15 to 8.

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Chestfeeding if you're trans or non-binary

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If you are trans or non-binary and are thinking about chestfeeding your baby, find out your options and further information here.

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Friends, Families and Travellers - resources for pregnancy and beyond

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Friends, Families and Travellers - resources for pregnancy and beyond

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Information page for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people

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Resources for healthcare professionals - Friends, Families and Travellers

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This section is host to a collection of our essential healthcare resources, aimed at healthcare professionals who engage with Romany Gypsy, Roma, or Traveller communities. These resources have been co-developed and co-produced with community members, and […]

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Friends, Families and Travellers - resources for pregnancy and beyond

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Friends, Families and Travellers - resources for pregnancy and beyond

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Information page for Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people

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Resources for healthcare professionals - Friends, Families and Travellers

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This section is host to a collection of our essential healthcare resources, aimed at healthcare professionals who engage with Romany Gypsy, Roma, or Traveller communities. These resources have been co-developed and co-produced with community members, and […]

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Vaccination information for people from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

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Vaccination information for people from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

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Vaccination information for people from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities [English language version]

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This playlist features a series of short animations with key information on vaccinations related to maternity, childhood, measles, and whooping cough. This s…

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Parenting support with regular emails and app updates. 

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Parenting support with regular emails and app updates. 

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The Better Health Start for Life campaign aims to give all babies the best possible start in life, focusing on the crucial period from pregnancy through the first two years. This initiative provides support and resources to parents and families, covering various aspects of infant development and well-being, including breastfeeding, introducing solid foods, and fostering strong parent-infant relationships.

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Better Health Start for Life Parent-Infant Relationships

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Housing and Accommodation local support, Warwickshire

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Housing and Accommodation local support, Warwickshire

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The Family Information Service provide information and advice for families with children and young people on issues including family relationships, finance, housing, parenting support, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), childcare, and health and wellbeing. Coventry 024 7697 5451 cid.coventry.gov.uk/kb5/coventry/directory/family.page?familychannel=0 Warwickshire 01926 742274 www.warwickshire.gov.uk/children-families

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Finances or Housing and Accommodation Level 2-6 Child Self-care_07_07_2025_13_10

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https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/get_help_from_the_council/how_to_ask_the_council_for_help

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Emergency options for homeless 16 to 25 year olds

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Emergency housing from the council

Not everyone qualifies for emergency housing from the council when homeless.

You're usually entitled to emergency housing if you have a priority need. This could be because you're:

aged 18-20 and spent some time in care aged 16-17

pregnant or have dependent children living with you

classed as vulnerable for a special reason such as a disability or serious health condition, abuse or violence, or a care history

You must also meet immigration and residence conditions to qualify for help.

If you're 16 or 17

Social services usually have the main responsibility for housing and support if you're under 18 and homeless. This applies regardless of your immigration status.

Hostels: how to find one and what to expect

Most hostels have a waiting list unless they are 'direct access' or 'quick access'.

You can sometimes move into a direct access hostel on the same day but only if you:

In London there are lots of hostels but very few vacancies. You usually need a referral from the council or another local organisation.

Outside London there are fewer hostels, but they are more likely to take self-referrals. This means you can contact the hostel yourself.

You may feel more comfortable living in a hostel with other young people. You can filter your search results for this type of hostel.

You can also use the tool to look for hostels with spaces for certain groups, for example, couples, women-only, LGBT, or black and ethnic minority groups.

Support offered and hostel rules

Each hostel is different so check what's offered on the Homeless Link tool.

You'll find information on:

Most hostels have a maximum length of stay. Hostel staff help you move on to more independent living when you're ready to do so.

Foyers are a type of hostel for young people in training, education or employment. You usually need to be referred by your local council.

Paying for a hostel

You don't usually need money up front. When you move in, you need to:

You can check the weekly charge for each hostel on the Homeless Link tool.

Refuges: how to find one and what to expect

Refuges are for people escaping domestic abuse, usually from a partner or former partner. They offer:

Most refuges are for women and their children.

There are fewer refuge spaces for men - the Men's Advice Line can give advice on emergency options for men experiencing domestic abuse.

Violence or threats from your parents or family members

There may be specialist organisations who can help if you're not safe in your family home or have already left because of threats or violence.

Nightstops: how to find one and what to expect

Nightstops provide homeless people under 25 with free overnight accommodation in the home of a trained volunteer.

You can use the scheme for up to 3 weeks and might stay with the same host or different hosts during this time.

You get:

Depending on the scheme, you may need to contact them direct or get a referral from another organisation.

You'll be asked for references. Some schemes won't accept young people with a criminal record, history of violence, or a drug or alcohol problem.

If you're offered somewhere, you can usually go there the same night. A Nightstop volunteer driver can help you get there.

Last updated: 16 December 2019

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Emergency housing for homeless 16 to 25 year olds - Shelter England

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Not everyone qualifies for emergency housing from the council when homeless. You're usually entitled to emergency housing if you have a priority need.

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Shelter: Local homelessness contacts and support

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Shelter: Local homelessness contacts and support

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Homelessness advice

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Get advice if you're homeless or about to lose your home, including help from your local council and finding a place to stay if you're on the streets.

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Working within Warwickshire to support young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

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Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough: 02476 376376 Housing Options: 024 76376406 / 02476 382153 (out of hours)

North Warwickshire Borough: 01827 715341 / 0300 303 5575 (out of hours)

Rugby Borough: 01788 533533 Housing Advice 01788 533837 / 01788 579706 (out of hours)

Coventry Cyrenians: (Direct Access Hostels in Coventry and Warwickshire) 02476 525155/02476 228099 Email:
Mental Health
Childline: free, private and confidential support where you can talk about any issue. Toolbox with games and tools to support your wellbeing. Chat online, email or call 0800 1111

Big White Wall an anonymous safe community to support your mental health 24/7.

Mind Information and support for better mental health

Young Minds Urgent help and useful information available on website 24/7. Free publications to download on a variety of mental health issues.

Kooth Online mental wellbeing community, free, safe and anonymous support.

Counselling Directory Resource hub to connect people with qualified counsellors with free advice and guidance.

NHS MH Apps Library Apps for Mental health and wellbeing
Drugs and Alcohol Change Grow Live Drug and alcohol service in Warwickshire. Online advice and services. Call 01926 353513 or email: [email protected]
Narcotics Anonymous : Support for anyone with an addiction to drugs. Helpline open 10am- midnight every day. Call 0300 999 1212

Cocaine Anonymous - Support for anyone struggling with a cocaine problem. Helpline open 10am - 10 pm every day. Call 0800 612 0225

Drugfam - Support for families, friends and partners affected by someone else's addiction to drugs or alcohol. Open 9am to 9pm, every day. Call 0300 888 3853
Domestic Abuse and Crime
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
Child Protection and Social Services
Runaway Helpline - 116 000 (Freephone 24 hours)

Warwickshire Safeguarding: 01926-410410 / 01926-886922 (out of hours)

Latest

Related

A flipbook created to share a 20 year anniversary of working at Doorway.

We are now registered with the NHS COVID-19 App.

A young person volunteered to share his story of homelessness for our film project to dispel myths and raise awareness.

Most read

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Housing and Accommodation Shelter Housing advice online and chat on any housing related issues.

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Please contact the Council's Housing Options Team using our Housing Application Form if you need help and advice on any housing issues.
Apply for housing here
Contact Details are displayed on this page.

Life can be full of hardships and sometimes people need some support to help them through difficult times. In particular finding oneself facing homelessness is a reality that could happen to anyone - a reality we want to help people avoid by giving them the right advice and assistance as soon as possible. Don't wait until you are homeless before asking us for advice.

We can give you advice and information that may help prevent you from becoming homeless. Our aim is to get involved as soon as we can and help to prevent people from losing their homes.

We can give advice on a range of circumstances that might be affecting you and causing you to worry that you may become homeless such as:

If your relationship has broken down

If you are privately renting and your landlord who has asked you to leave

If you can't afford a deposit to rent a home from a private landlord

If you are experiencing domestic abuse or harassment

If you are having difficultly paying your rent

If you can't afford to pay your mortgage

Not having a permanent place to live

Not getting on with the people you live with

Being asked to leave accommodation

Problems maintaining a tenancy

Advice on private rentingincluding paying rent and the Rent Deposit Scheme

Information on the Council's housing register including how to join

Problems with landlords or tenants

Eviction - being threatened with eviction by your landlord

Information on the Homebuy products including what used to be called Shared Ownership

Domestic Abuse

We will discuss your circumstances with you and give you confidential, independent and professional advice to help you find solutions. The help given will depend on your individual circumstances, but may include:

Providing advice about your rights as a Tenant

Signposting you to other related agencies

Speaking with your Landlord on your behalf if you are having difficulties

Helping you with your rent deposit if you meet our criteria

Providing immediate refuge if you are experiencing domestic abuse

We work with agencies such as Social Care, Housing Associations, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Doorway Young Persons Services and other agencies offering housing support and many others to try and tackle housing problems.

If you apply to us as homeless, a housing advisor will interview you to find out about your housing situation and other circumstances. We will inform you whether or not we have a duty to re-house you and will give you further advice and assistance.
Please read through our homelessness pages for:

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Homelessness - North Warwickshire Borough Council

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Help within Warwickshire if you are currently sofa surfing/homeless and between ages 16 and 24 years old.

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How to get housing related help, advice or information from St Basils in the Midlands region during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

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Accommodation support for young people who are homeless.

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Accommodation and Support services | St Basils

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We have over 40 supported accommodation schemes across Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Warwickshire, Redditch, Sandwell, Solihull and Coventry offering a range of support from fully supported projects staffed 24/7 to semi-independent projects and one independent project.

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Linked with Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre. Interpreter can be provided via telephone.

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Volunteer interpreter | Coventry Refugee and Migrant Centre

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To provide interpreting services for clients at the CRMC mostly via telephone but also occasionally attending offices to interpret face to face.

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Support with safer sleep for babies in temporary accommodation 

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Support with safer sleep for babies in temporary accommodation 

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If you have a cot or Moses basket

If you have access to a cot or Moses basket, this is ideal. If not, there are other options. Babies need just a few basic items for sleep : a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and well-fitted bedding. Keep the This means:   cot or Moses basket clear.

No pillows or duvets.

No cot bumpers.

No soft toys or comforters.

No weighted or bulky bedding.

No sleep positioners with wedges, straps or rolled up towels.

No pods or nests, or anything soft placed on top of the mattress.

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Safer sleep away from home in emergency situations - The Lullaby Trust

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If you're from home unexpectedly in an emergency or crisis, this advice will help you create a safer sleep environment for your baby.

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Local events available

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Pertussis: Between 16-32 weeks

RSV: From 28 weeks

Flu: September-March, any gestation

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MAMTA (FHLS) is offering support to all BAME pregnant women in Coventry.

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Welcome to "Another Podcast," where we explore the rich and complex intersection of neurodivergence and perinatal experiences. Hosted by the ADHD midwife and founder of NeuroNatal®, this podcast delves into the psychological, mental health, and physical aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and parenting in the neurodivergent landscape.

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ADHD and Trauma: Insights and Strategies with Dr. Kara Davey

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Podcast · Laura Spence The ADHD Midwife · Welcome to “Another Podcast,” where we explore the rich and complex intersection of neurodivergence and perinatal experiences. Hosted by the ADHD midwife and founder of NeuroNatal®, this podcast delves into the psychological, mental health, and physical aspects of pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and parenting in the neurodivergent landscape.

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Support, understanding and community from pregnancy through postpartum - built by and for neurodivergent families.

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Support, understanding and community from pregnancy through postpartum - built by and for neurodivergent families.

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You Are Not Alone

Pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood can feel overwhelming — especially when you're navigating it as a neurodivergent person in a system that wasn't built for your brain or body.

At NeuroNatal®, we see you.

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Support, understanding and community from pregnancy through postpartum - built by and for neurodivergent families.

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Evidence suggests that autistic people may experience aspects of pregnancy and childbirth differently to non-autistic people, and may face some unique challenges.

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Evidence suggests that autistic people experience aspects of pregnancy and childbirth differently to non-autistic people.

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Neurodivergent Birth was launched in 2023 by doula Victoria White, with the aim of increasing understanding and awareness of neurodivergent perinatal experiences.

Link on website to: Podcast and Blog

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Workshops are held multiple times a year and can be booked here

If you are interested in hosting a bespoke workshop for your organisation please contact us

Charting a New Path in Perinatal Care through Advocacy, Education, and Support for Neurodivergent Birthing People

Neurodivergent Birth was launched in February 2023 by doula Victoria White, with the aim of increasing understanding and awareness of neurodivergent perinatal experiences.

Victoria's daughter was diagnosed as autistic in 2022, and Victoria has also recently been exploring her own neurodivergence. Following her daughter's diagnosis, she read everything she could get her hands on about neurodiversity, and she began to see how many aspects of pregnancy, birth and the postnatal period could be challenging and experienced differently by neurodivergent people.

She launched an Instagram page and a podcast to facilitate the conversation. The response that this was a much-needed space within the birth world was overwhelmingly positive, and she began to have many wonderful and informative conversations with neurodivergent people, healthcare professionals and researchers via the podcast. This then led to the development of a competency workshop for birthworkers; 'Supporting Neurodivergent Birth', which she co-facilitates with fellow doula and neurodivergent advocate Sam Sheppard.

The workshop is held over 2 sessions; with the first session focusing on understanding the challenges neurodivergent people can face perinatally, and the second session a collaborative session to explore how birth workers can better support these challenges. The positives of neurodivergent birth are also explored, along with other themes including the importance of language, gender bias, late diagnosis, the role of hormones and much more. With an estimated 15-20% of the population being neurodivergent in some way, this is essential CPD for any inclusive birthworker.

Victoria and Sam have been delighted to be asked to create bespoke workshops for several birth organisations, and 'Supporting Neurodivergent Birth' now features in training offered by The Naked Doula, The Calm Birth School and The Fourth Postpartum CIC, with more collaborations in the pipeline. In June 2023 the workshop became accredited as official CPD for Doula UK (the UK's doula association).

The podcast is now heading into its second season. Interviewees include Sunday Times bestselling author Heidi Mavir, chair of the Maternity Autism Research Group Sara King, and writer, autism advocate and Tommy's ambassador Caro Tasker. Each episode explores the interviewees' own perinatal experiences from their neurodivergent perspective, the current level of understanding and awareness of ND support needs within health and social care services, and how small 'reasonable adjustments' can have a big positive impact. Get in touch if you would like to share your own neurodivergent story in a future episode.

'Supporting Neurodivergent Birth' Featured by:

Sam Sheppard

Workshop Facilitator

Sam has been a birth and postnatal doula since 2008. She has been privileged to have supported many births and families over the years and continues to remain in awe of women & birthing people; what they overcome and the power they have within them is truly remarkable and inspiring.

You'll find Sam in Essex with her husband, two children and menagerie of pets! She has been a mentor and now also facilitates doula training courses which she loves. Through all of these experiences Sam has found a desire to explore what support looks like for those with different needs, ways of thinking and lifestyles.

Having ASD and sensory issues herself, as well as close family members with neurodivergent diagnoses, the passion and drive to make the birth and postnatal period as accessible and supportive as possible has led her to Neurodivergent Birth.

Victoria White

Founder and Director

Victoria is a birth and postnatal doula who supports families through pregnancy, birth and beyond. She believes birthing people have the right to a positive birth and postnatal experience, and that this can be achieved with the help of consistent and compassionate support. She offers support both in person in Aberdeen, Scotland, and online anywhere in the world. She is also a trained Traumatic Birth Recovery 3 Step Rewind Practitioner, and Perinatal Emotional Health and Wellbeing Practitioner. She is the mum of two girls, one of whom is autistic, and is passionate about improving support for neurodivergent people perinatally.

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Supporting Neurodivergent People in Pregnancy, Birth, and Beyond. Chart a new path in perinatal care with Neurodivergent Birth. We advocate for, educate about, and support neurodivergent birthing people. Our workshops explore the unique challenges and positive aspects of neurodivergent birth.

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ADHD Foundation: The Neurodiversity Charity

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ADHD Foundation: The Neurodiversity Charity

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Whatever your age or life stage, we are right beside you

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NCMH (National Centre for Mental Health)

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Information for Neurodivergent People and their Families

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Information for Neurodivergent People and their Families

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The E-booklet was produced by professionals from different organisations, neurodivergent people and their families. It provides useful information about services and support available for those who are diagnosed or who self-identify as neurodivergent and those who care for and support them.

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24272 Information and Advice for Neurodivergent People and their Families 2023 V5

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Community Autism Support Service – CASS

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Community Autism Support Service – CASS

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https://casspartnership.org.uk/

Support is also available to parents and carers, including peer support and on-demand workshops. Parents and carers do NOT need a young person to be referred into the service to access this support.

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Ask your midwife to refer you to the PEARL TEAM at Warwick hospital. We are a team of specialist midwives and substance use practitioners who can help you with alcohol or drug use in pregnancy, give you advice and support you to quit substances for a healthier pregnancy and postnatal journey. We are here to help!

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Professional Referral: Warwick Energy Fund

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Professional Referral: Warwick Energy Fund

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MAMTA

MAMTA offers support to all ethnic minority women to help improve outcomes for mum and baby in pregnancy and after baby is born, in Coventry.

It is a free service, that is based at FWT a centre for women, part of Family Health and Lifestyle work and works in conjunction with UHCW Maternity Services.

You will be offered MAMTA support at your first booking appointment with your community midwife. If you consent to the referral the MAMTA team will contact you directly.

MAMTA offers bespoke parent education in a group setting every week, in addition 1-1 peer support (with language support available), health messages including breastfeeding, and education around your pregnancy is provided. Please speak to your midwife or call MAMTA on 07538 092956 or 0247663 7693 or email MAMTA@fwt.org.uk

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PERINATAL MENTAL HEALTH

The Perinatal Mental Health Peer Support Projects are delivered by FWT – a Centre for Women, working alongside the MAMTA Programme (FHLS), the Perinatal Mental Health Team at CWPT and Start for Life.

The aim of the projects are to educate and support Minority Ethnic women including asylum seekers and Refugees in Coventry through the antenatal and postnatal period around their emotional well-being.

If women are experiencing baby blues, have low mood or feeling anxious or depressed around the birth of the baby our Perinatal Mental Health Peer Workers will offer 1-1 and group support.

Support is provided Citywide in the community, through hubs offering enhanced support and reach to these communities. The project has also extended to Rugby, Stratford & Nuneaton.

To make a referral please email pmht@fwt.org.uk

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Follow the link to access in different languages.

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Pregnancy Book: All aspects of pregnancy, birth and your journey with a newborn baby

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Pregnancy Book: All aspects of pregnancy, birth and your journey with a newborn baby

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Your complete guide to:

A healthy pregnancy, Labour and childbirth and the first weeks with your new baby

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Show Accessibility Options: Select Language 

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You are able to change the language of our website if you scroll to the bottom of the page - select 'Show Accessibility Options' at the bottom of the page, and 'Select Language'

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Skip to main content Skip to accessibility tools

Having a baby is an exciting time. With the highest standards of healthcare quality and safety, our dedicated team is here to guide you through your care choices and will provide you with personalised care throughout your pregnancy, birth and after your baby is born.

We offer maternity services at Warwick Hospital, Stratford Hospital and in the community at Children and Family Centres. You can plan to give birth at home, in our midwifery led unit (the Bluebell Birth Centre) or in our obstetric unit. Both units are situated at Warwick Hospital and provide a welcoming and calming environment. Our friendly and highly skilled staff are proud to welcome over 3,000 babies into the world each year!

We strive to give babies, parents and families everything they need for the best start in life.

Refer yourself for maternity care

You no longer need to see a GP and can refer yourself for maternity care by filling out our online form.

We will then be in touch by email with some useful advice about keeping well in pregnancy and the details of your appointments. If you don't receive any emails from us, please check your junk folder.

We're happy to help if you have any difficulties completing the form or any other issues. You can speak to us in the Bluebell Birth Centre by calling 01926 495321 ext 6977.

Please note we do not take out-of-area referrals via this route. Please speak to the midwifery team in your local area to complete the specific referral we require.

To refer yourself for maternity care, please use the maternity care referral form.

Screening tests for you and your baby

Screening tests

Screening tests are used to find people at higher chance of a health condition. We offer all pregnant women and birthing people screening tests during pregnancy to look for certain health conditions that could affect them or their baby. Screening tests are also offered for babies soon after they are born, so they can be given appropriate treatment as quickly as possible if needed.

Whether you decide to have each test is a personal choice that only you can make. You can decide which tests are right for you and your baby.

Watch a video showing the screening tests available during pregnancy and for newborn babies.

The GOV.UK website provides further information. This is available in a number of languages and in easy read guides. It may be helpful to look at this before your booking appointment (first appointment) with your midwife. They will be happy to talk to you about any concerns or questions that you have.

If you'd like a printed copy of this information, your midwife can arrange this.

Cervical screening

You will not usually need to have cervical screening if you're pregnant, or could be pregnant, until at least 12 weeks after you've given birth. This is because pregnancy can make it harder to get clear results.

If you're already pregnant and due for a cervical screening test then tell your GP or clinic. You will usually be advised to reschedule the test for a date around 12 weeks after your baby is born.

If you've previously had an abnormal result from a cervical screening test, you may need to be screened while you're pregnant. Your GP or midwife may ask you to have a cervical screening test at your first antenatal appointment. This test will not affect your pregnancy.

Where you can choose to have your baby at SWFT

Planning where to give birth is a very important decision that you will need to consider during your pregnancy. You can choose to have your baby at our maternity unit, either in the Bluebell Birth Centre or the Labour Ward, or in the comfort of your own home supported by our community midwifery team.

We will work with you to support your birth choices.

Watch a tour of our maternity services.

Home

A home birth is an option for you if you have an uncomplicated pregnancy.

Home is an ideal place to have your baby. Birthing in a comfortable, familiar setting will help you to feel more in control and relaxed. Having your baby at home will also increase your chances of having a vaginal birth. Your family will also be able to see the baby straight away and remain together after the birth.

Women and birthing people often decide to labour and give birth at home because they are in a familiar environment where they can move around more freely. This can reduce the need for strong pain relief, although gas and air (Entonox) and aromatherapy can still be used. A birth pool can also be hired which is an excellent form of pain relief and can help you move more easily in to the positions required in labour.

If you give birth at home, you'll be supported by a midwife who is experienced and confident in delivering care in the community. The midwife will be with you while you are in labour and stay with you until after your baby has been born and had a successful feed. A second midwife will join you before the birth to give extra help and support.

If you need any additional help or your labour is not progressing as it should, your midwife will plan for you to travel to a hospital. If this situation arises, the midwife will request the level of urgency that is required from the ambulance service. It's important that you have either a good Wi-Fi connection or telephone service when choosing to give birth at home. The community midwives would continue to provide care for you throughout your time at home and during any transfer to hospital.

The advantages of giving birth at home include:

Being in familiar surroundings where you may feel more relaxed and better able to cope.

Not having to interrupt your labour to go into hospital which enables your labour hormones to progress better.

Not needing to leave your other children, if you have any, although childcare arrangements should be made. Your children and family members can be part of the process when your baby joins the family.

Not being separated from your partner after the birth and able to relax in your own bed.

Increased likelihood of being looked after by a midwife you have gotten to know during your pregnancy.

You will need less pain relief in labour because of the support of the midwife and the environment you are in.

You are more likely to be upright during labour and birth as you will be encouraged to walk and move around. This helps in progressing your labour, as lying on a bed is usually uncomfortable and doesn't make the most of gravity to aid your progress.

You are more likely to have a vaginal birth because you will need less pain relief and you're more likely to be upright and mobile.

You are more likely to have a water birth, if you chose to hire one, as it is only for your use. Being in water assists with the discomfort of labour and in adopting better positions for labour and birth.

You are less likely to need an episiotomy (cut to perineum). We know that women and birthing people who are active in labour, are more likely to push their baby out naturally without much help. This can reduce the pressure on the tissue and make a cut less likely.

You are more likely to start breastfeeding successfully if you have a positive birth experience. Women and birthing people who've had a home birth almost always describe their birth experiences positively.

You can have more than one birth supporter if you wish. It's your home and you can have who you want present. We suggest you only have people that are helpful to you though.

We can't guarantee that our community midwives will be able to support your home birth and you may be asked to attend the hospital. This is dependent on how busy our services are and the number of staff we have available at the time you go in to labour.

Talk to your midwife if you are considering a home birth, they can give you more information and discuss whether a home birth is suitable for you and your baby.

Bluebell Birth Centre

Bluebell Birth Centre is our midwifery-led birthing unit at Warwick Hospital. If both you and your baby are well, you might choose to give birth here. Bluebell provides a calm and relaxing atmosphere. There are four birthing suites, all with birth pools and en-suite bathrooms, as well as comfy beds for after your baby is born.

You will find the approach to your labour and the birth is not medical. Midwives are highly trained to offer support and encouragement, and care for you when you have an uncomplicated pregnancy and birth. They will advise you on the different ways to cope in labour such as using alternative positions, relaxation and water for labour. You will be in an environment that does not look like a hospital and feels more homely.

The advantages of giving birth in the Bluebell Birth Centre include:

You will need less pain relief in labour because of the support of the midwife, and the environment and facilities available to you during labour.

You are more likely to be upright during labour and birth as you will be encouraged to walk and move around. This helps in progressing your labour, as lying on a bed is usually uncomfortable and doesn't make the most of gravity to aid your progress.

You are more likely to have a vaginal birth because you will need less pain relief and you're more likely to be upright and mobile.

You are more likely to have a water birth as there is a birth pool in each suite. Being in water helps you to be in comfortable positions for labour.

You are less likely to need an episiotomy (cut to perineum). We know that women and birthing people who are active in labour, are more likely to push their baby out naturally without much help. This can reduce the pressure on the tissue and make a cut less likely.

The environment of a birth centre helps women and birthing people to have positive birth experiences.

You are more likely to establish breastfeeding successfully if you have had a positive birth experience.

You can have more than one birth supporter if you wish. Your family can be with you throughout the birth but please check with the midwife first.

Your birth supporter can stay with you after the birth of your baby and until you're ready to go home.

If there is a complication during your pregnancy you will be seen by an obstetrician. If this happens, you might be advised to give birth in the Labour Ward.

Most women and birthing people who give birth in Bluebell do so without any problems, however a small percentage experience difficulties and will be transferred to the Labour Ward to receive care from the obstetric team. If your baby experiences any complications, we will perform all the necessary emergency procedures and ask for the help of the Paediatric Department.

It's important to know that Bluebell doesn't have obstetricians; they are based in the Labour Ward. We don't provide epidurals, continuous fetal monitoring or provide caesarean sections in Bluebell; these are provided in Labour Ward.

Talk to your midwife if you are considering giving birth in Bluebell, they can give you more information and discuss whether this is a suitable option for you and your baby.

Labour Ward

Our Labour Ward at Warwick Hospital has seven birthing rooms, all with an en-suite shower room. We have one room with a birth pool. Every effort will be made for you to use the birth pool if appropriate but there may be occasions when it's already in use.

The Labour Ward provides a relaxing birthing environment, however, should you or your baby require additional care and support, obstetric, paediatric and anaesthetists are available in addition to the midwifery team.

Anyone can choose to give birth in the Labour Ward, however, if you have a complex pregnancy, you may be advised to give birth in this setting.

The advantages of giving birth in the Labour Ward include:

An obstetrician will be close at hand, if your labour becomes complicated.

If you have certain medical conditions, it might be recommended that you have your baby in hospital where there are specialists available.

You can be offered a wider range of options to help you manage your contractions and labour. Pain relief options include epidural, gas and air (Entonox), pethidine and Remifentanil. For more information, the following website might be helpful: Labour Pains: pain relief and anaesthesia choices during labour

Both intermittent and continuous fetal monitoring are available in the Labour Ward. If continuous monitoring is necessary, this can be performed using a wireless device which allows you to move around during your labour.

You may find it reassuring to know extra help is available.

Talk to your midwife or obstetrician about your birth options, they can give you more information and answer any questions you might have.

Obstetric Theatres

At Warwick Hospital we have two obstetric theatres that are integrated into our Labour Ward. This is so we can transfer you quickly and safely in to theatre if needed. Our obstetric theatres are used for planned and emergency caesarean sections, as well as some assisted births (also known as instrumental births) and perineal repairs. We have a dedicated obstetric theatre team who will support you throughout your procedure. Your birth supporter can be with you throughout your time in theatre.

Useful links

The following websites may be helpful if you'd like to find out more about your birth options including the advantages and risks:

Labour pain relief at Warwick Hospital

Labour Pains is the public information website of the Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association. They provide reliable, unbiased information to expectant parents on pain relief and anaesthesia choices for birth that is well worth reading, also available in a wide range of translations.

Information on pain relief during labour.

Pain relief medications

Pain relief without medications

Gas and air (Entonox)

TENS

Epidural - if you would like an epidural, then it is important you understand the risks and complications. Please read this infographic in order to consent for the procedure.

Water pool

Remifentanil PCA
Complimentary therapies

Opioids

Obstetric anaesthesia information

If you're booked for a caesarean these leaflets are important to read:

Some useful reading before your birth:

After your baby is born including transitional care and Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU)

If you have your baby in hospital

We offer inpatient postnatal care in both the Bluebell Birth Centre and on Swan Ward. Following the birth of your baby, you will be made comfortable and you will meet the team who will co-ordinate the care of you both.

When will you go home?

We support women and birthing people and their new babies to return home as soon as possible. When you go home will depend on your individual clinical needs and those of your baby, and when you feel ready to do so.

Vaginal birth

In the event of an uncomplicated birth, you will be able to go home from about six hours after you've given birth. The average length of stay in the unit is one day following a vaginal birth and one to two days after an instrumental vaginal delivery.

Caesarean section

You can expect to go home one to two days after your caesarean section providing all is well. If you have an elective/planned caesarean section, the recovery care aims to have you fit and well enough to go home the day after.

If you or your baby require a longer stay due to any additional care or arising complications, the postnatal ward midwife or doctor who is involved in your care will discuss this with you.

Before you leave

We will:

Support you to feed and care for your baby

Complete a postnatal assessment for you to ensure you are recovering well and are ready to leave

Complete a full, detailed physical check of your baby, and arrange a hearing screening test

Give you information, details of follow-up visits from your midwifery team in the community and any medication you may need

Give you a wave goodbye (or a hug!) and check if you have any more questions before you go

You will:

Need to ensure you know how you are travelling home with your baby, including bringing an appropriate car seat if taking your baby home in a vehicle

If you have a home birth

If you have your baby at home and there are no complications you will stay at home. Your midwife will make you comfortable, examine your baby, complete documentation and give you emergency numbers to call before leaving. A midwife will return to visit you the next day.

The next day your baby will have a more detailed check, either at home or you may be asked to bring your baby to the Bluebell Birth Centre. You will be sent an appointment for your baby to have a hearing screening test as an outpatient appointment at Warwick Hospital.

If your baby needs additional support

Transitional care

Transitional care is the extra support given to babies who are well enough to be cared for at the bedside with their parents, but who need a little extra assistance beyond the usual postnatal care. By looking after babies in this way it builds the relationship between parent and child and reduces admissions to the neonatal unit.

Transitional care is delivered on Swan Ward at Warwick Hospital. Your baby may require transitional care directly after they're born or following some time on the SCBU. There are several reasons why your baby may need transitional care, for example:

Your baby is born five to seven weeks early

Your baby is small

Your baby needs help keeping warm or with feeding

Your baby needs phototherapy (light treatment) for jaundice

Your baby needs treatment with antibiotics

If your baby requires transitional care, SWFT has a leaflet containing further information:

SWH 06238 Maternity transitional care unit.

SCBU

Sometimes babies are born requiring specialist care and attention. Our SCBU cares for babies born unwell or premature who may need extra support with breathing, feeding and keeping warm.

Specialist nurses and doctors are available to answer any questions you may have whilst your baby receives the treatment they need. During this time parental involvement in decision making and care is fully encouraged and supported.

For further information visit: NHS Special Care for Unwell or Premature Babies

If your baby is being cared for on SCBU, SWFT has a leaflet containing lots of useful information:

SWH 00537 Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).

You can also view the interactive Neonatal Unit tour which has been designed to help you understand what to expect before you arrive on the unit. The 3D tour will enable you to explore the unit, get to know your way around, and includes useful information such as:

Directions and facilities

Commonly used equipment

Educational videos

Support available

Useful website links

Interactive neonatal unit tour resources:

If your baby needs a higher level of medical and nursing support, they might be transferred to a local neonatal unit (level two unit) or a neonatal intensive care unit (level three unit).

Nurturing and feeding your baby

We are proud that that our maternity services have been awarded UNICEF Baby Friendly accreditation for our standard of care. This accreditation indicates that we provide parents with the best possible care to build close and loving relationships with their baby and to feed their baby in ways which will support optimum health and development.

The Infant Feeding Team has created a resource on a platform called Padlet which contains lots of evidence based information to support you with feeding your baby.

To access this, please scan the below QR code using the camera on your phone or tablet, or go to SWFT Infant Feeding Padlet.

Contact details:

The Infant Feeding Team are generally available Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:00.

You can contact them on 01926 495321 ext 8584. Outside of these times, they have a voicemail available for non-urgent queries.

For more urgent queries, please contact:

Bluebell Birth Centre on 01926 495321 ext 6977
Swan Ward on 01926 495321 ext 4547

Additional services and contacts

NHS Warwickshire Stop Smoking in Pregnancy Service

Help and advice on the Stop Smoking in Pregnancy Service.

Certificate of Commitment by the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative

Warwick Hospital is delighted to have been awarded a Certificate of Commitment by the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative. This recognises our commitment to supporting parents to make informed choices about how they feed and care for their babies. Warwick Hospital is proud to be working towards full Baby Friendly accreditation.

Birth Experience Listening Service

At Warwick Hospital we offer all women and birthing people who have had a baby here, an opportunity to discuss the events surrounding their baby's birth. You can discuss your birth experience with your midwife at any time, however, if you think you would benefit from the opportunity to reflect further on what happened and how you felt, please email our Birth Listening email address - birth.listening@swft.nhs.uk. The Birth Listening Service is not the correct service if you are looking to discuss a complaint.

A member of the Birth Listening Team will email you as soon as possible to arrange an appointment with an experienced midwife. We offer face-to-face sessions during a weekly clinic. We also offer sessions by telephone or on Microsoft Teams if this would suit you better.

We try to arrange appointments to take place within two to four weeks of your email. There is no time limit after the birth, however, we recommend that you wait at least six to eight weeks so that you have had time to process what has happened. You can attend the appointment with your birth partner (or somebody else) if you would like to.

If you would like to leave us feedback, have concerns or would like to make a complaint, please visit the your views matter page on this website.

Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership Coventry and Warwickshire

Coventry and Warwickshire's Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership (MNVP) ensure the views, experiences and ideas of local mothers and birthing people contribute to the development of local maternity care by collecting feedback and sharing information. For more information visit Coventry & Warwickshire Maternity Neonatal Voices Partnership's Linktree account.

To contact the MNVP for Coventry and Warwickshire email: cwmaternitynvp@outlook.com.

SANDS - Stillborn and Neonatal Death Charity

Sands is a national helpline is for anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby and wants to talk to someone about their experience.

Tel: +44(0) 808 1643332 Email: helpline@sands.org.uk

Twins Trust - we support twins, triples and more

Our mission is to:

Provide twins, triplets or more - and their families - with the information needed to make informed decisions

Facilitate a network of community support.

Ensure that our community's unique needs are understood by the professionals who care for them and reflected in research, care standards and public policy.

More information on the Twins Trust.

Twinline is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and from 7pm to 10pm

Call: 0800 138 0509

If you would prefer not to call but would still like to contact the team for some support, complete Twins Trust's online form or email: asktwinline@twinstrust.org

Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC)

ARC is a national charity which provides non-directive support and information to parents before, during and after antenatal testing.

Tel: +44(0) 845 0772290 or if you are calling from a mobile phone: +44(0) 207 7137486
E-mail: info@arc-uk.org

Healthy Start Scheme

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. For more information visit the Healthy Start Scheme website.

Maternity information videos

Maternity:

Maternity Tour videos:

Postnatal Discharge Video:

Physio videos:

Patient information leaflets

Senior team

Maternity research

Family Health, Maternity, and Neonatal Research at South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust

The Research Team is committed to improving women and birthing people's health, maternity care, and neonatal wellbeing through thorough research with practical outcomes.

Our research aims to:

Find effective treatments for women and birthing people during pregnancy and childbirth.

Expand our knowledge to improve the care and guidance we offer.

Understand patient choices and identify areas for specialised support.

All our research studies go through detailed approval from the Research Ethics Committees (REC) within the Health Research Authority, ensuring the highest standards. Funding for most studies comes from the National Institute of Health Research, with additional support from commercial companies or grant funding in some cases.

Thinking about joining our research? It's completely voluntary and as an organisation we respect your healthcare choices. SWFT welcomes diverse perspectives, where your input helps shape better healthcare practices. Participating in research not only helps us but also benefits you. Your involvement contributes to refining practical approaches for women and birthing people, and families, actively shaping the future of healthcare.

If you're offered participation in a research project, you'll receive information about the study and have the chance to discuss this with your care provider. Here you can ask any questions you might have before deciding whether to take part or not.

Family health, maternity, and neonatal research at SWFT align with NHS values - practical, inclusive, and dedicated to advancing healthcare for all. Explore ongoing projects offered at Warwick Hospital below.

BaBi Warwick

Born and Bred in (BaBi) Warwick is a large-scale data collection project. ALL women and birthing people who have received maternity care at Warwick Hospital since October 2023, can join the project for themselves and their baby. The study aims to find answers to questions that will help our local community and make things better for families in our area. Warwick Hospital, along with the council, local charities, universities, and others, will decide what questions to explore. BaBi Warwick is the first study like this in the Midlands, and as an organisation we're excited to be one of the first hospitals to take part.

If you choose to be part of BaBi Warwick, the Research Team will collect information from you and your baby to help us find answers to important questions about our local community. Your information will be kept safe and used only for research and planning how to provide better services.

Learn more about this study: BaBi Warwick.

Giant PANDA Trial

The Giant PANDA Trial is a study that looks at how different medicines for high blood pressure affect women and birthing people with pregnancy hypertension (raised blood pressure in pregnancy) and their babies. In this study, people who want to take part are randomly put into one of two medicine groups. Both medicines are already used to treat high blood pressure during pregnancy routinely.

The main goal of the trial is to figure out which medicine works best.

The Research Team at SWFT will follow the participant's pregnancy and birth and share anonymous information with the trial team. If the medicine the participant is allocated does not work well for treating their high blood pressure, they can go back to the other medicine, whilst staying in the trial.

Learn more about this study: Giant PANDA.

Recurrent Gestational Diabetes Study

Women and birthing people who have previously had Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) in pregnancy are invited to take part in this observational study. During pregnancy the hormones released from the placenta can make cells in the body respond less well to insulin, and the body has to produce more insulin. Some women and birthing people, however, cannot produce enough insulin, or their body is more resistant to insulin, causing blood glucose levels to remain high. In pregnancy this is called GDM.

This study will collect data around women and birthing people's pregnancy, birth and postnatal period, with the aim to help figure out the best time and method for testing gestational diabetes. Women and birthing people who decide to take part are asked to have a call with our research team to answer questions about them and their baby at six weeks after their baby is born.

The Cleft Collective Study

The Cleft Collective is the world's largest research program about cleft lip and/or palate. Cleft lip and/or palate are common conditions affecting about 1 in 700 births per year in the UK. This research helps find out where support is needed and how to make it the best it can be. The goal is to improve care for those born with a cleft and their families.

If you're a family with a baby diagnosed with a cleft lip and/or palate during pregnancy, SWFT would love you to join our study when you see the specialist team. This research will help us learn more about what causes cleft, the best treatments, and how it affects families and individuals. The Research Team will ask for some saliva samples and ask you to fill out questionnaires when the condition is diagnosed, and again when the baby is 18 months, 36 months, 5 years, 8 years, 10 years, 12 years, and 15 years old.

Learn more about this study: The Cleft Collective.

Obstetric Bleeding Study (OBS) UK

The OBS UK is ongoing at SWFT since February 2024. Heavy bleeding during and after birth is the most common problem when giving birth to a baby. The study has created a new way of managing heavy bleeding during and after childbirth (called the OBS UK care bundle). This care bundle helps to recognise bleeding early and to standardise the treatment of heavy bleeding during childbirth. The care bundle will be introduced as standard care at SWFT from May 2025 until August 2026.

If you are having your baby (or babies) in England, and you do not want your data to be used for this trial, you will need to contact the national data opt-out. This is a service that allows you to 'opt out' of all your health information being used for all future research and planning (not just for this study). If you don't want your birth data included in this study specifically, talk to your midwife or the research team to 'opt out'.

Learn more about this study: OBSUK Study.

WithHolding Enteral feeds Around packed red cell Transfusions (WHEAT) Trial - 'Continuing Care Site'

WHEAT stands for WithHolding Enteral feeds Around packed red cell Transfusions. The WHEAT International trial is a big research study. The study aims to find out if stopping milk feeds around the time of blood transfusions can help reduce a serious gut disease called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in preterm babies.

NEC happens to about 1 in 20 very premature babies. Sadly, about 1 in 3 babies with NEC may not survive, and those who do have a higher chance of facing health and developmental issues later on.

Preterm babies get lots of feeds (every 1 - 3 hours) and often need blood transfusions because they become anaemic (not enough red blood cells). Some doctors have concerns that feeding babies during a blood transfusion might make the risk of NEC higher.

The WHEAT Trial wants to figure out what treatment is best. They will compare babies who have feeds stopped with those who keep getting feeds during blood transfusions. Whether feeds stop or continue is randomly allocated by a computer.

Warwick Hospital is a 'Continuing Care' site for the WHEAT Trial. This means babies are recruited to the neonatal trial at another unit and when transferred to Warwick Hospital for continuation of their clinical care, the research project will continue at our hospital. Babies born at SWFT will not be recruited.

Learn more about this study: WHEAT.

Find out more

If you would like more information about any of the studies above, or are interested in taking part in research, please contact our research team:

Research Midwives, Warwick Hospital
Telephone: 01926 495321 ext 8238
Email: researchmidwife@swft.nhs.uk

Maternity Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At SWFT we are committed to ensuring our services are accessible, inclusive and equitable to all who use them regardless of race, religion/belief, gender, sexual orientation, social background, disability and age.

Equity means that all women, birthing people and babies achieve the best health outcomes. To ensure this, we will strive to respond to each person's unique health and social situation - with increasing support as health inequalities increase - so that care is safe and personalised for all.

We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity. We will use both 'women' and 'birthing people' to describe our service users and reject any suggestion that respecting non-binary and trans people diminishes women's rights. Other terminology that we use is reflective of the preference of some individuals for alternative language alongside anatomical terms.

We will challenge abusive or discriminatory comments or behaviour that are not in line with our inclusive values.

Visit our Equality, diversity and inclusion page on this website for more information about equality, diversity and inclusion at SWFT.

COVID-19

There are currently no restrictions in place within Maternity Services at South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust with regard to COVID-19.

If you're pregnant, you're at greater risk of becoming seriously ill if you contract COVID-19. If you get COVID-19 later in your pregnancy (more than 28 weeks pregnant), your baby could also be at risk.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and go into labour, you'll be advised to give birth in the obstetric unit.

Birth partners

If your birth partner has COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19, please consider whether it is essential for them to attend the unit with you or whether you could bring someone else. If you do still wish for them to accompany you, please contact the maternity unit on 01926 495321 ext 4552 prior to arrival. Your birth partner will be asked to wear a mask at all times when in the maternity unit to keep your baby, you, other parents and staff safe and well.

Vaccination

COVID-19 vaccination is strongly recommended for pregnant women and people. Anyone who is pregnant is encouraged to access COVID-19 vaccination during the autumn winter programme, as pregnancy is deemed a clinical risk group for COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccination is available to anyone pregnant irrespective of their previous vaccination history and they should aim to get protected as soon as possible.

The easiest way to access COVID-19 vaccination is by:

Booking online through the NHS app.

Contacting your GP to arrange an appointment.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19, please contact:

The latest maternity information concerning COVID-19, can be found here:

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Skip to main content Skip to accessibility tools Having a baby is an exciting time. With the highest standards of healthcare quality and safety, our dedicated team is here to guide you through your care choices and will provide you with personalised care throughout your pregnancy, birth and after your baby is born.

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Warwickshire domestic violence and abuse, and sexual abuse helplines - Safeline and Refuge

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Warwickshire domestic violence and abuse, and sexual abuse helplines - Safeline and Refuge

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For more information and resources for both professionals and victim-survivors, visit https://www.talk2someone.org.uk/

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Most foods and drinks are safe to have during pregnancy. But there are some things you should be careful with or avoid.

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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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UKHSA_12949_RSV vaccine and pregnancy 16 WEB

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From 1 September 2024, pregnant women can have a free vaccine in each pregnancy, to protect their babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

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From 1 September 2024, pregnant women can have a free vaccine in each pregnancy, to protect their babies against respiratory syncytial virus ( RSV).

RSV is a common virus which can cause a lung infection called bronchiolitis. In small babies this condition can make it hard to breathe and to feed. Most cases can be managed at home but around 20,000 infants are admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis each year in England. Infants with severe bronchiolitis may need intensive care and the infection can be fatal. RSV is more likely to be serious in very young babies, those born prematurely, and those with conditions that affect their heart, breathing or immune system.

Symptoms of RSV bronchiolitis

The symptoms of RSV bronchiolitis can include:

runny or blocked nose

breathing is difficult, fast or noisy (wheezing)

difficulty feeding

cough

fever

unsettled or difficult to comfort

tiredness or lethargy

RSV can also cause other conditions in young children such as a barking cough (croup) and a painful infection inside the ear (otitis media).

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or call 111 if your child has the following symptoms

your child has had a cold and it's getting worse

your child is feeding or eating much less than normal

your child has had a dry nappy for 12 hours or more, or shows other signs of dehydration

your baby is under 3 months and has a temperature of 38°C

your baby is older than 3 months and has a temperature of 39°C or higher

Call 999 or go to A&E

If your child seems seriously unwell, trust your own judgement.

You should act if:

your child is having difficulty breathing

you may notice grunting noises or their chest and tummy wall being sucked in between or just under their ribs

there are pauses when your child breathes

your child's skin, tongue or lips are blue

your child is floppy and will not wake up or stay awake

How RSV is spread

RSV infections can occur all year round but cases peak every winter.

RSV is highly infectious and spreads easily, particularly among children, through coughing and sneezing. Even with simple measures such as hand-washing and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze, it is difficult to avoid spreading the infection within the family. The best way to protect your baby against RSV infection is for you to have the vaccine during pregnancy.

How the RSV protects your baby

The vaccine boosts your immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus. These antibodies then pass through the placenta to help protect your baby from the day they are born. RSV vaccination reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first 6 months of life. After this age your baby is at much lower risk of severe RSV.

Older children and adults can also get RSV infection, but the disease is more serious for small babies and people aged 75 and over.

The vaccine has been shown to reduce the chance of your baby suffering from severe RSV disease. Like all medicines, no vaccine is completely effective and some babies may still get RSV infection despite their mothers having the vaccine. However, for most babies born to vaccinated mums, any RSV infection should be less severe.

When you will be offered the RSV vaccine

You should be offered it around the time of your 28 week antenatal appointment. If you haven't heard by this stage, contact your maternity service or GP practice to make an appointment. Having the vaccine in week 28 or within a few weeks of this will help you build a good level of antibodies to pass on to your baby before birth. This will give your baby the best protection, including if they are born early.

You can still have the vaccine later in your pregnancy but it may be less effective. If it wasn't possible to have your vaccine earlier, it can be given right up until you have the baby. If you have it very late in pregnancy, it may still protect you from infection and reduce the risk of you spreading infection to your newborn baby.

You will be offered the RSV vaccine during every pregnancy

Having the vaccine during each pregnancy will offer your new baby the best protection from RSV.

The safety of RSV vaccination during pregnancy

The vaccine has been studied in clinical trials of almost 4,000 women and been given to many thousands of women in national programmes. Monitoring in the USA, where it has been given to over 100,000 women, has shown a good safety profile. In the main clinical trial, in the month after vaccination, there were slightly more premature babies in the vaccine group (2.1%) than the group that didn't have the vaccine (1.9%). This difference is most likely to be due to chance.

The vaccine has been approved by medicines regulators in the UK, Europe and USA on the basis of protection, quality and safety.

Babies at a higher risk of RSV infection

Some babies are at higher risk of RSV, such as those who are very premature, those with severe heart disease or those with weakened immunity. They may also be offered an antibody injection. This injection will provide additional protection on top of any antibodies they might get from their mother.

Having the RSV vaccine at the same time as other vaccines

It is important to have your vaccines at the right time in pregnancy

Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine

The whooping cough vaccine is usually given earlier in pregnancy. Around the time of the mid pregnancy scan, usually 20 weeks.

Flu vaccine

Flu vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy. You should have it as soon as it becomes available to you.

When you are called up for your RSV vaccine, if you have not yet had your whooping cough or flu vaccines, then you should have them at the same time.

Side effects from the RSV vaccine

The vaccine is a single injection in your upper arm. Side effects are usually mild. These may include:

headache

muscle ache

soreness, redness or swelling at the site of the injection

You can report suspected side effects to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA):

on the Yellow Card website

by calling the free phone line: 0800 731 6789 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)

by downloading the Yellow Card App on iOS or Android

Further information

Speak to your midwife or GP practice for more information on the RSV vaccine and other vaccines you will be offered during your pregnancy.

Read the patient information leaflet for the RSV vaccine Abrysvo.

Read about the vaccines you should be offered during your pregnancy.

Read further information on vaccinations you will be offered when pregnant.

Read information about the RSV vaccination programme for older adults.

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A guide to RSV vaccination for pregnant women

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From 1 September 2024, pregnant women can have a free vaccine in each pregnancy, to protect their babies against respiratory syncytial virus ( RSV). RSV is a common virus which can cause a lung infection called bronchiolitis. In small babies this condition can make it hard to breathe and to feed.

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A healthy diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle at any time but is especially vital if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Eating healthily during pregnancy will help your baby to develop and grow.

You do not need to go on a special diet, but it's important to eat a variety of different foods every day to get the right balance of nutrients that you and your baby need.

It's best to get vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat, but when you're pregnant you need to take a folic acid supplement as well, to make sure you get everything you need.

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Find out how to eat a healthy diet in pregnancy, including plenty of fruit and vegetables, and cutting down on sugar and saturated fat.

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If you have a low income, you may be able to get help with NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).

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If you have a low income, you may be able to get help with NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS).

The scheme covers:

You can apply for the scheme as long as your savings, investments or property (not including where you live) do not exceed the capital limit.

In England, the limit is:

£23,250 for people who live permanently in a care home (from October 2025 the limit will rise to £100,000)

£16,000 for everyone else

Any help you're entitled to is also available to your partner and any dependant young people.

Depending on your circumstances, you can receive full help (HC2 certificate) or partial help (HC3 certificate).

You qualify for full help if your weekly income is less than or equal to your weekly requirements (a personal allowance to cover your day-to-day living expenses and housing costs), or is greater than your weekly requirements by no more than half the current English prescription charge.

If your income exceeds your requirements, you may be entitled to partial help. Your certificate will show how much you have to pay towards your health costs.

The rules governing who's eligible are broadly the same as those for a means-tested benefit. But the assessment also takes into account council tax and housing costs, so you can get help with health costs even if your income is too high for a means-tested benefit.

Find out more about means-tested benefits on GOV.UK.

How to apply

There are 2 ways to apply for the NHS Low Income Scheme (LIS). You can apply online or by post.

To find out who can apply online, or to make an online application, go to the NHS Business Services Authority website.

To apply by post you'll need to complete an HC1 form and send it to the address on the form.

You can order an HC1 form online, or download an HC1 form from the NHS Business Services Authority website and print it yourself.

The form may also be available from your local Jobcentre Plus office or NHS hospital. A doctor, dentist or optician may also be able to give you one.

If you need help making your claim or have questions about the LIS, call 0300 330 1343. Telephone lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, and Saturday 9am to 3pm.

Certificates are usually valid for between 6 months and 5 years, depending on your circumstances.

You do not need to apply if you or your partner:

get Income Support

get income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

get income-related Employment and Support Allowance

get Pension Credit Guarantee Credit

are named on, or entitled to, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate - if you do not have a certificate, you can show your award notice; you qualify if you get Child Tax Credits, Working Tax Credits with a disability element (or both) and have income for tax credit purposes of £15,276 or less

get Universal Credit and meet the criteria

These benefits or tax credits already entitle you to full help with health costs.

Formal reviews

If you're unhappy with the outcome of your claim, you can ask for a review by a service improvement adviser.

The service improvement team checks whether a claim has been correctly assessed in accordance with the regulations governing the scheme. If the decision was wrong, a new certificate will be sent to you.

You can request a review online via the NHS Business Services Authority website or post your request to:

NHSBSA
LIS Review Team
Help with Health Costs
Bridge House
152 Pilgrim Street
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 6SN

How to claim back money that you've already paid

You can submit a claim for a refund at the same time as you apply for the Low Income Scheme. Refund claims must be received within 3 months of the date on which you paid, or within 3 months of the date of your sight test.

To claim a refund of prescription charges, you'll need an NHS receipt and refund form FP57. Ask for the form when you pay for your prescription.

To claim a refund of other charges, including dental treatment, wigs and fabric supports, sight tests, glasses or contact lenses, and healthcare travel costs, you'll need the relevant HC5 form.

You can download the HC5 refund forms from the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website:

Important numbers

NHS Low Income Scheme helpline - 0300 330 1343.

Prescription services helpline - 0300 330 1349.

Queries about medical exemption certificates - 0300 330 1341.

Queries about prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) - 0300 330 1341.

Queries about tax credit certificates - 0300 330 1347.

Call 0300 330 1343 for all other queries.

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If you have a low income, you may be able to get help with NHS costs through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

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The Digital Poverty Alliance is currently able to provide free everyone.connected SIM cards from Vodafone to organisations that support individuals that are not otherwise able to afford data.

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Twinline - helpline offering free support to parents of twins, triplets and more

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Twinline - helpline offering free support to parents of twins, triplets and more

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Sometimes you just may need a listening ear from somebody who understands. Twinline is a free service and available to everyone. Twinline is open week days 10am - 1pm and 7 -10pm on 08001380509.

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Twinline is a helpline that offers free support.

Whether you would like to chat about expecting twins, triplets or more; feeding, sleeping, starting school, friendships, getting to grips with the teenage years, or anything multiples related, Twinline can provide the support you need.

Sometimes you just may need a listening ear, with no judgement, from somebody who understands. All our trained volunteers are parents of twins or triplets.

We can also signpost you to our resources for further support.
Twinline is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and from 7pm to 10pm Call us: 0800 138 0509 If you would prefer not to call but would still like to contact us for some support, complete our online form.

I spoke to someone on Twinline today as I was at breaking point. I can't believe how knowledgeable the person was with so many tipswhich is just what I needed.

Personal experieces

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If you need someone to talk to about your twins, triplets or more, contact our free Twinline service. All our trained volunteers are parents of twins, triplets or more.

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Fatherhood Solutions offers support to dads on all aspects of parenting.

Also links to local support and groups which you may find useful.

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Fatherhood Solutions. 199 likes. PMH support offering guidance and advice and practical tips. Educating parents on parental mental

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Multiple pregnancy means carrying more than one baby, normally twins. Having a multiple pregnancy makes a difference to the care you get during pregnancy

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Multiple pregnancy means carrying more than one baby, normally twins. This information tells you more about what to expect from a multiple pregnancy.

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Congratulations! You are expecting twins or more!

If you given the news that you are carrying more than one baby, your midwife will refer you to a consultant-led pathway. This means you will be looked after regularly by both your community midwife, and seen by the consultant in hospital. You will have more regular scans and will be invited for the appropriate screening opportunities.

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It's important to understand your birth options if you're expecting more than 1 baby.
Twins and triplets are more likely to be born early and need special care after birth than single babies.

Your birth choices with twins

It's a good idea to discuss your birth options with your midwife or consultant early on in your pregnancy.

You'll normally be advised to give birth in a hospital, as there's a higher chance of complications with twins.

There are usually more health professionals at a multiple birth - for example, there may be 2 midwives, an obstetrician and 2 paediatricians (1 for each baby).

For more information on who's who, read about the antenatal team.

The process of labour is more or less the same as for 1 baby, but your maternity team will usually advise you to have your babies electronically monitored because of the higher risk of complications.

This means attaching belts with sensors (1 for each twin) to your bump. You'll still be able to move around into different positions.

Once your waters have broken, your midwife may ask your permission to attach a clip attached to a wire to the first baby's head to get a more accurate measure of their heartbeat.

You'll be offered a drip in case it's needed later - for example, to restart contractions after your first baby is born.

Triplets or more babies are almost always delivered by a planned caesarean section.

Can you have a natural birth with twins?

Lots of women think they have to have a caesarean section with twins, but in fact, many twin births are vaginal

If you're planning a vaginal delivery, it's usually recommended that you have an epidural for pain relief, but you can discuss this with your midwife.

If there are any problems, it's easier for your antenatal team to deliver your babies quickly if you have already got an epidural in place.
Find out more about the signs and stages of labour
You're more likely to have a vaginal birth if the first twin is in a head-down position.

But there may be medical reasons why a vaginal birth is not recommended.

If you have had a caesarean section before, for example, it's not usually recommended that you have a vaginal birth with twins.

As with any vaginal birth, you may need an assisted birth. This is where forceps or vacuum delivery are used to help deliver your babies.

Once the first baby is born, your midwife or doctor can check the position of the second baby by feeling your tummy and doing a vaginal examination. They may also use an ultrasound scan.

If the second baby is in a good position, it should be born soon after the first, as your cervix is already fully dilated.

If your contractions stop after the first baby is born, the doctor or midwife may discuss giving you hormones via a drip to restart them.

Caesarean section and twins

In the UK, more than half of twins and almost all triplets are delivered by caesarean section is a common method used during twin and triplet births.

You may choose to have a planned caesarean, or your doctor may recommend a caesarean, if:

the first baby is lying feet, knees or buttocks first (breech)

1 twin is lying sideways (transverse)

you have a low-lying placenta

your twins share a placenta

you have had a difficult delivery with a single baby before

As with any pregnancy, if you plan a vaginal birth, you may still end up needing an emergency caesarean.

In a small number of cases, some women deliver 1 twin vaginally and then need a caesarean section to deliver the second twin.

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What to expect when your twins or triplets are born, including your birth choices and what happens if your babies are premature.

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Parenting and lifestyle support for families with multiples - financial advice, holidaying advice and local support groups.

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Finding out you’re pregnant with twins or more can be a bit of a shock, and certainly the prospect of dealing with more than one newborn at once can be a bit overwhelming. But there is plenty of support available for you and your family.

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Finding out you're pregnant with twins or more can be a bit of a shock, and certainly the prospect of dealing with more than one newborn at once can be a bit overwhelming. But there is plenty of support available for you and your family.

Did you know that the number of women having twins or multiple births is increasing?

11,153 mothers had a multiple birth in 2018:

11,010 of them had twins

143 had triplets

This means that 15 women in every 1,000 giving birth in 2018 had a multiple birth.

If you're pregnant and expecting more than one baby, a healthy diet and lifestyle will make your pregnancy easier as well as giving your babies the best start in life. Whether you're expecting twins, triplets or just one baby, the advice is similar: Eat well, take gentle exercise, drink lots of fluid and, if you feel stressed, make sure you get support from friends and family, or talk to your midwife.

Expecting two babies rather than just one doesn't mean you have to eat significantly more. However, it's normal to put on more weight than someone who's only carrying one baby. More help around healthy eating during a multiple pregnancy is available on the NHS website.

It's also important to attend all your antenatal appointments so your maternity team can keep a close eye on you and your babies. They'll also help you to understand your birth options if you are expecting more than one baby. Twins and triplets are not only more likely to be born early, but are also more likely to need special care after birth than single babies.

Further support when you're expecting twins

You're not entitled to extra maternity or paternity benefits if you're expecting twins or multiple babies. Your entitlements to leave and pay are the same as if you were expecting one baby. But you can claim Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit for each of your children. If you're on a low income and getting certain benefits or tax credits, you could get a Sure Start Maternity Grant. This is a one-off payment to help towards the cost of maternity and baby items. If you already have children under 16, you can only get a grant if you're expecting a multiple birth.
You can also check if you're eligible for Healthy Start vouchers, which aims to help improve the health of pregnant women and families on benefits and low incomes, on their website.
During the antenatal period, you'll also have an opportunity to meet with your health visitor who will give you more information about local support. It's worth also having a look at this leaflet from The Multiple Birth Foundation (MBF) and checking out the advice on the NHS website.

Other organisations who provide support include:

The Twins Trust provides lots of information on its website and also has a dedicated freephone helpline called 'Twinline', which is open every day from 10am-1pm and 7pm-10pm. Call 0800 138 0509.

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Twins or more | Pregnancy | Health for Under 5s

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Are you expecting twins....or perhaps more? There is lots of support available to you if you're expecting more than one child as outlined in this article.

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Local Hub - Expecting Multiples. Leamington Spa

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Local Hub - Expecting Multiples. Leamington Spa

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Club for multiples to meet from the local area. Run every Tuesday in term time at Leek Wotton Village Hall from 10-11.30. Free play, snack and an organised activity. Come along to meet local parents and children, have a chat and hopefully a hot drink as well!

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Club for multiples to meet from the local area. Run every Tuesday in term time at Leek Wotton Village Hall from 10-11.30. Free play, snack and an organised activity. Come along to meet local parents and children, have a chat and hopefully a hot drink as well!

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Club for multiples to meet from the local area. Run every Tuesday in term time at Leek Wotton Village Hall from 10-11.30. Free play, snack and an organised activity. Come along to meet local parents and children, have a chat and hopefully a hot drink as well!

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Supporting you through every milestone of your journey with twins, triplets or more

Register for free resources

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Twins Trust - We support twins, triplets and more...

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Supporting you through every milestone of your journey with twins, triplets or more. From being pregnant with twins, triplets or quads through to parenting twins, triplets or quads, we are here for you.

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Vaccinations in Pregnancy - different languages (QR codes)

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Vaccinations in Pregnancy - different languages (QR codes)

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Health Visiting Website - Solihull families 

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Health Visiting Website - Solihull families 

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Change the location at the top of this link for Solihull HV information.

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We offer tailored content specific to your area. Check below to find your local area.

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Health for Under 5s | For healthy, happy early years

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Health for Under 5s provides support to parents and carers right through from pregnancy to pre-school, so take a closer look at our site for your early years support.

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UNICEF: Infant Feeding Support - translated to many different languages

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UNICEF: Infant Feeding Support - translated to many different languages

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These info sheets on breastfeeding and bottle feeding are available in multiple languages and can be used to support parents with the basics of feeding and responding to their baby.

This link includes translated support for both breast and bottle feeding.

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Using straightforward language and simple illustrations to aid understanding, these infosheets on breastfeeding and bottle feeding are available in multiple languages and can be used to support parents with the basics of feeding and responding to their baby.

The infosheets are free to download and print, and are currently available in:
Please note: Following feedback, these translations were updated in 2019 to ensure the language used was as straightforward as possible.
The English versions of these resources are available below for reference:

Breastfeeding guidance: English (for reference)

Bottle feeding guidance: English (for reference)

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Foreign language resources - Baby Friendly Initiative

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These infosheets are available in multiple languages and can be used to support parents with feeding and responding to their baby.

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Birth Rights - translated (16 different languages)

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Birth Rights - translated (16 different languages)

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It’s really important that women and birthing people and those that care for them, understand basic birth rights in maternity care. It is vital that conversations that lead to decisions, start from a shared understanding of what an individual can or can’t choose to do and the obligations on maternity services to uphold human rights.

We have translated your basic birth rights into 16 languages.

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Your basic birth rights - translated - Birthrights

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It’s really important that women and birthing people and those that care for them, understand basic birth rights in maternity care. It is vital that conversations that lead to decisions, start from a shared understanding of what an individual can or can’t choose to do and the obligations on maternity services to uphold human rights. ... Read more

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Languages available:

Chinese, Filipino, French, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian and Spanish. Others available at request.

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Do you work with women who speak other languages?

Request our free QR stickers. Pop them on pregnancy notes for easy direct access to our translated maternity rights information sheets.

To request them email Lisa Roscoe on lisaroscoe@maternityaction.org.uk with your full name and address.

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Maternity rights information translated - Maternity Action

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Do you work with women who speak other languages? Request our free QR stickers. Pop them on pregnancy notes for easy direct access to our translated maternity rights information sheets. To request them email Lisa Roscoe on lisaroscoe@maternityaction.org.uk with your full name and address.

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Follow this link for multi-lingual resources for pregnancy.

Patients can also view the website and associated advice/support in any language.

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Pregnancy
English, Turkish, Polish, Bengali, Punjabi, Urdu, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Chinese, Welsh

If you are pregnant and Black, Black British or Asian, Asian British - you might be more vulnerable.

Trust your instincts - call your midwife or maternity team anytime if you are worried about your pregnancy or if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

It is safe to attend for your care and appointments during the pandemic.

Is your mood ok? Who to speak to if it is not ok.

What to do if you miss an appointment.

Signs of labour and what to do if you think you are in labour.

What to do if you have signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia.

The importance of taking Vitamin D.

Feeling safe in your own home and how to find support if you don't.

Looking after you and your unborn baby.

Amharic, Arabic, Bangla, Farsi, French, Hindi, Kurdish Sorani, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Urdu English, Arabic, Traditional Chinese, Polish, Russian and Urdu Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Cantonese, English, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Japanese, Lithuanian, Mandarin, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Sign Language, Somali, Tamil, Turkish and Urdu Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Dari, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, French, Kurdish Sorani, Punjabi, Somali, Spanish, Urdu

Maternity Pay Questions

Money For Parents and Babies

Redundancy During Pregnancy, Maternity or Parental Leave

Simplified Chinese, Filipino, French, Greek, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian and Spanish

Screening choices during pregnancy - digital leaflet

Screening choices after pregnancy - digital leaflet

Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali, Urdu

Tests available during pregnancy and after baby has been born - video
Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali and Urdu, BSL.
Labour/Birth

Obstetric Anaesthetists' Association: Labour Pains

Pain relief

Caesarean Section

Epidural Information

BMI complications

Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, English, French, Georgian, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Icelandic, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Slovakian, Slovenian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh
Feeding your baby

Basics of feeding

Responding to baby

Arabic, Bengali, Polish, Romanian,Urdu
Screening for mum and baby

Hearing tests and screening for you and baby
Bengali, French, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Chinese, Arabic, Somali, Romanian, Urdu
Complications in Pregnancy

Royal College of Psychiatrists: Mental Health

PND

Mental illness after childbirth

Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, German, French, Greek, Hindi, Japanese, Lithuanian, Gujarati, Polish, Russian, Romanian, Somali, Turkish, Urdu Arabic with subtitles

Information and support regarding pre-eclampsia
Albanian, Bengali, Chinese, Croatian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujurati, Hindi, Kurdish, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Twi, Urdu, Vietnamese and Welsh.

Diet, treatment and prevention
Arabic, Bengali, BSL, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Somali, Tamil, Urdu and Welsh.
More resources checked by Diabetes UK from the Australian website: Pregnancy and Diabetes
Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Greek, Italian, Korean, Spanish, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese

Facts and feelings

Ectopic pregnancy

Molar pregnancy

Arabic, Bangla, English, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Turkish and Urdu.

Giving birth

Support for fathers

Remembering your baby

Saying goodbye

Returning to work

Now available in Arabic, Polish and Chinese.

Key advice on how to reduce SIDS
Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Czech, Simplified Chinese, Farsi, Filipino, Gujarati, Kurdish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Slovakian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh
Bristol Against Violence and Abuse: FGM leaflets

The website also offers information and support about trafficking and domestic violence and can be translated into most languages via their website.
Arabic, Somali and French.
Support for those families who have to make the difficult decision to end a pregnancy.
Click on the top corner dropdown to have the website read in over 100 languages.
With Thanks

Document created by Laura Bridle RM (NMC) in response to findings from an MSc qualitative research project exploring the barriers and facilitators to using language support services.

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Pregnancy MAMA Academy: Pregnancy Essentials Leaflets Reduced Fetal Movements Diet PND When to call the midwife English, Turkish, Polish, Bengali, Punjabi, Urdu, Arabic, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Chinese, Welsh NHS England: Maternity Safety Information If you are pregnant and Black, Black British or Asian, Asian British - you might be more vulnerable.

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British Sign Language Video: Domestic abuse- how to get help

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British Sign Language Video: Domestic abuse- how to get help

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Antenatal Education - different languages 

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Antenatal Education - different languages 

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Available via this link in:

Arabic, English, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Sorani Kurdish, Tamil, Urdu and Welsh

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Welcome to The Real Birth Digital Programme

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This website uses cookies that are necessary to remember you as a user.

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You Can Online – helping to fix the digital divide

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You Can Online – helping to fix the digital divide

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We want to support our Warwickshire residents, who could be experiencing some form of digital exclusion in everyday life.

They support with;

Access to devices

Access to connectivity

Help with IT support

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You Can Online - helping to fix the digital divide – Warwickshire County Council

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We want to support our Warwickshire residents, who could be experiencing some form of digital exclusion in everyday life.

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Your midwife can advise you on the vaccinations we offer during pregnancy.

These vaccinations include;

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Flu (during flu season)

RSV

Covid-19 (we would signpost to your GP)

BCG for eligible babies

The vaccination 'lavender' room in Warwick maternity outpatients department is staffed Monday-Friday and you don't need an appointment!

You will be sent an appointment for the RSV vaccination when you are 28 weeks pregnant.

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Your midwife can help you access support and advice in a language that you know best.

She can help to signpost you to the charities and organisations that can help with legal concerns, financial concerns and housing concerns. Some of these links are also in this padlet to local services that can help you.

We also use Language Line at SWFT, so we can use an interpreter at any appointment during your pregnancy / birth / postnatal period so that you can feel fully informed and in control of your care.

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Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Your midwife will ask you about your previous mental health history so that she is able to support you appropriately through the pregnancy and beyond.

At SWFT, your midwife can refer you to our Perinatal Mental Health team and Specialist Midwife if this is a new concern in the pregnancy. Your midwife can also help signpost you to the appropriate support services, depending on the support you need.

Please speak to your midwife if you have any concern or anxiety surrounding your mental health and wellbeing. You are not alone.

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You will hopefully get to know your midwife team well throughout your pregnancy. She will often ask you about your home life and who you have to support you at home.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse at home, your midwife can support you, in confidence, to seek refuge and safety and can support you with referrals and speaking with other agencies.

If you wish to speak to your midwife alone at your appointment, she will absolutely facilitate this for you and give you a safe space to speak. She is your advocate and your support also.

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Your midwife will be with you throughout your pregnancy journey, through birth and beyond into the postnatal period. Your midwife can advise you on all aspects of parenting, infant feeding and self care.

Your community midwife can inform you of antenatal classes in your area for preparation for birth and baby.

SWFT also have a wonderful infant feeding team who can help with infant feeding queries and support - a link to their padlet is in this section also.

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Please ask your midwife if you need support with food or baby equipment. Your midwife can make a referral on your behalf to local baby charities and help you access baby equipment. She can also signpost you to local food banks or places of support if needed.

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Please speak with your midwife if you need any financial support during or after your pregnancy. Your midwife can signpost you to the appropriate help.

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Quit4Baby Facebook group - where you can change the language needed to suit.

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Quit4Baby Facebook group - where you can change the language needed to suit.

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Visit the Quit 4 Baby facebook page where you can also change the language to suit your needs.

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Warwickshire Stop Smoking in Pregnancy Service

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Warwickshire Stop Smoking in Pregnancy Service. 70 पसंद · 1 इस बारे में बात कर रहे हैं. A free, friendly non judgemental service who have helped many pregnant women to become smokefree.

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Flu Vaccine information in other languages - (Braile also available to order)

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Flu Vaccine information in other languages - (Braile also available to order)

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Available following this link in:

English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional, Cantonese), Estonian, Farsi, French, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu and Yiddish.

An English large print version is available to order.

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Pregnancy: how to help protect you and your baby

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This leaflet describes the vaccinations that help protect you and your baby during and after pregnancy.

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Pregnancy: how to help protect you and your baby – BSL

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TB, BCG and your baby in other languages - (Braile also available to order)

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TB, BCG and your baby in other languages - (Braile also available to order)

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English, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurdish, Nepali, Panjabi, Pashto, Romanian, Romany, Somali, Tamil, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Urdu.

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Information about the BCG vaccination being offered to protect your baby against tuberculosis (TB).

Documents

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@ukhsa.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@ukhsa.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

TB, BCG and your baby leaflet

This leaflet contains the current information on tuberculosis and the BCG vaccine including the benefits and contraindications for BCG immunisation in infants.

Paper copies of this leaflet are available to order for free or download in the following languages:

A quick links poster with QR codes to the English and translated versions of the TB, BCG and your baby leaflet is available to download.

TB, BCG and your baby poster

This poster is aimed at parents and carers of babies who may be at risk of tuberculosis and need a BCG vaccine to protect them.

Paper copies of the poster are available to order for free.

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Information about the BCG vaccination being offered to protect your baby against tuberculosis (TB).

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Why should I stop smoking in pregnancy? 

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Why should I stop smoking in pregnancy? 

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Ask for a referral from your midwife or email ssip@swft.nhs.uk for one of our friendly advisors to call you for pregnancy support.

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Gentle exercise during pregnancy is good (and safe) for you and your baby. Not only does it help you maintain a healthy weight but it also helps prepare your body for labour.

Find out how much you need, which types of exercise you can safely do and what to avoid.

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Exercising in pregnancy - Start for Life

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Keeping up daily physical activity while pregnant is important. Find out which types of exercise you can do, what to avoid and where to find pregnancy-safe activities.

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Ramadan and Pregnancy: Should I be fasting?

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Ramadan and Pregnancy: Should I be fasting?