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Becoming Dad is an inclusive workshop for new and expectant fathers to help them to connect with and understand their babies’ needs.

Supported by trained facilitators from the Family Support Service, this workshop offers expectant and new fathers an informal and relaxed space to talk through any thoughts and challenges dad to dad as they transition into parenthood. This is a hands-on session where your baby aged 0 – 1 year can come too!

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Considering a Caesarean Birth

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Birth Options After Previous Caesarean Birth

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RCOG Birth Options After Previous Caesarean Birth

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Maternity care for women seeking asylum

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pasword: breastfeeding

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Multiple Dates Watford, United Kingdom

by Watford General Hospital - Parent Education

Password required

Need a password?

Contact Organiser Contact Organiser

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parent education - breastfeeding (face to face)

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parent education - breastfeeding (face to face) tickets

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parent education - breastfeeding (face to face) watford

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parent education - breastfeeding (face to face) watford tickets

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Parent Education - Breastfeeding (FACE to FACE)

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Eventbrite - Watford General Hospital - Parent Education presents Parent Education - Breastfeeding (FACE to FACE) - Monday, 11 July 2022 | Monday, 12 December 2022 in Watford, England. Find event and ticket information.

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Perineal Tears During Childbirth

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OASI Leaflet

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Digital Inclusion Toolbar on Maternity Microsite

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The ReachDeck Toolbar | Text-to-speech, reading & translation support

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Virtual Antenatal Classes run by West Herts Midwives

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Eventbrite - Watford General Hospital - Parent Education presents Preparing for Birth - Wednesday, 15 June 2022 - Find event and ticket information.

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Help is in your Hands

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Fit for the Future

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Exercise and Advice after Pregnancy

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Pelvic Health Antenatal Advice

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The Pelvic Floor Muscles: A Guide for Women

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Pregnancy and breastfeeding A5 leaflet_FINAL

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COVID-19 vaccine & pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility.

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COVID-19 vaccine & pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility.

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NHS advice about coronavirus (COVID-19), including information on symptoms, testing, vaccination and staying at home.

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Preventing Baby Falls

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Mum's Matter

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Multilingual Resources for Afghan Families

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To support people from Afghanistan, Doctors of the World has compiled a list of resources for individuals and for professionals who are working with them.

The official languages of Afghanistan are Pashto and Dari (which is a variation of Farsi), and we have also included Urdu as it has been reported that a number of caseworkers have been working with families to whom Urdu is their primary language.

Do keep checking our Translated Health Information hub where you can filters the documents by keyword, narrow by topic or select your language or type you are looking for.
Public Health England
On this page you can find more resources produced by Public Health England. Resources include more COVID-19 Vaccine guidance, the blood clotting guidance as well as the flu vaccine and pregnancy.

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List of Multilingual Resources for Afghans - Doctors of the World

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To support people from Afghanistan, Doctors of the World has compiled a list of resources for individuals and for professionals who are working with them. The official languages of Afghanistan are Pashto and Dari (which is a variation of Farsi), and we have also included Urdu as it has been reported that a number of caseworkers have been working with families to whom Urdu is their primary language.

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Covid19 vaccines and fertility FAQ-2.1 downloaded 31082021

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Hi I want to book for classes how do I do this

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1. Virtual Tour of West Herts Maternity Services

2. Preparing for Baby Antenatal Classes

3. Virtual Antenatal Breastfeeding Classes

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Use this service to:

check if you need a vaccine

book a vaccine

check your existing appointment details

cancel your appointment

You can use this service if you're over 18 and registered with a GP surgery in England.

Find out how to register with a GP surgery if you're not registered.

Flu Vaccination

You may also be offered a flu vaccine at the same appointment if you are eligible.

How it works

The service will check if you need a vaccine before you book. To change or cancel your appointment, you'll need the booking reference number we sent you.
Start now

Book over the phone

You can call 119 free of charge to book over the phone if you cannot book online.

You can speak to a translator if you need to.

If you have difficulties communicating or hearing

You can use textphone 18001 or the NHS 119 British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service if you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or if you are a BSL user.

Find a walk-in centre

You can find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site to get a vaccine without an appointment.

You do not need to be registered with a GP.

More information

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Book, cancel or change a COVID-19 vaccination appointment

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Book, cancel or change you COVID-19 vaccination appointment online.

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COVID 19: Vaccine Decision Aid

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COVID-19: Vaccine in Pregnancy

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COVID 19: Vaccinations in your area

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Q&A: COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy & breastfeeding

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

This document is for healthcare professionals.

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

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

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Coronavirus (COVID-19), infection in pregnancy

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

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Severe Combines Immunodeficiency Screening

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Paternal Mental Health

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Our Understanding Paternal Mental Health training works towards the following outcomes:

An increased understanding by practitioners working within perinatal services including NHS, Third Sector and Local Authority support staff of fathers' mental health, and the impact this has on children and families.

All dads being asked about their mental health.

More mums and dads becoming aware of the importance of their mental health including postnatal paternal depression anxiety and stress & post-traumatic stress disorder in men.

More staff knowing where dads can access support.

More dads accessing mental health support.

Background

We all want Scotland to be the best place for children to grow up. But while the evidence tells us just how important the role of a dad is to the life chances of any child, w e now know that at least one in ten new dads suffer from post-natal depression, with up to 45% of dads affected by post-natal stress and anxiety.

I f a dad's mental health is not recognised and supported during the perinatal period, then his ability to engage supportively both as a father and as a partner may be at risk , limiting positive outcomes for his child , partner and family.

In this blog, FNS hears from dads who have suffered postnatal depression - and turns the spotlight on a relatively common condition that still carries a stigma.

Fathers Network Scotland and the Fatherhood Institute surveyed almost 2,000 new fathers from across the UK including 564 in Scotland. Although almost all of the new fathers were present in maternity services at each stage, our research shows that large numbers felt ignored before, during, and after the birth of their child, even though their involvement is central to infant and maternal well-being and is desired by mothers. The 'Understanding Paternal Mental Health' training encourages and supports perinatal practitioners to better engage with dads.

What to Expect

Signs and symptoms: F athers and paternal depression, p ost-natal anxi ety, stress and PTSD

The importance of early assessment of paternal mental health

Services that support dads with mental health problems

How we can mainstream 'dad-inclusive' practice

"It was really good, I am amazed at how on line training can be so interactive and enlightening."

- training participant from University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire.

The Impact on Families

A father whose first child at a hospital before we trained, told us the difference he noticed after we had trained perinatal staff, after the birth of his second child:

"I'm a father of two boys. My eldest, Joshua, is five and his younger brother, Zachary, is 18 months old.

My wife, Mandy, delivered naturally in both occasions. The first labour was more complex as she had to go into theatre shortly after for a minor procedure. During the labour I felt like a bit of a spare part, and the delivering midwife gave me little jobs to do, I think more to make me feel part of things rather than being any real help to anyone.

We only had about 20 minutes or so together after Joshua arrived before Mandy was taken to theatre, and we were told to expect her back within an hour or so - this became just under three hours and I was literally left holding the baby - I was in relative peace, which suited me just fine.

Mandy returned from theatre to the assessment area (essentially a 6-bed bay) just before 7pm and our respective parents arrived shortly after. Sensing we wanted to have some time just the three of us, they each left after an half an hour or so. No sooner had they left I was told by the nurse-in-charge that I would have to leave as visiting had ended. This caught us both by surprise - Mandy was still numb from the waist down and hadn't slept properly for the 72 hours so was in floods of tears. I gave up protesting at 8.45pm and went home.

The following day I arrived at the hospital at 9.30am, half an hour before visiting would start, or so I thought....

As she was still in the assessment area, visiting didn't start at 10am is it did on the Maternity Ward and it would be 2pm before I would be allowed in. I put a brave face on it while I spoke to Mandy but as soon as the call ended I burst into tears - this isn't really my style and I don't know if it was tiredness, worry, impatience, or a blend of these but I was a mess. I finally was allowed in at 2pm, shortly after they had been moved to the Maternity Ward and we finally had some time just the three of us.

Our second child arrived in 2018 and Zach's birth was much more straightforward (easy for me to say, I know).

We arrived at the hospital at 8.30pm and the initial examination confirmed that Mandy was already fully dilated - it was all systems go! Mandy was unbelievably calm from start to finish, cracking one-liners right up until Zach arrived just after 11pm. After Zach was cleaned up and Mandy was given a check over, the midwives left us to spend some time together. As the Unit was relatively quiet we were told we could stay where we were, and they brought us food and even blankets for me to spend the night. I could bring Zach over to feed when he cried, I could fetch Mandy clothes or drinks and I was able to make the experience much less stressful for her. We were discharged the following morning and could take Zach back to meet his big brother.

My wife would be the first to tell you that she felt well supported in both labours. For me, it was night and day - Joshua's birth was undoubtedly more complicated and this obviously affected the experience we both had. A more important factor in my mind was the individual personalities involved - with Zach's birth, I was made to feel welcome and was able to support Mandy in the way that she needed at the time. All three of us benefited from that change and look back on the birth much more fondly as a result."

Find Out More

To find out more about our 'Understanding Paternal Mental Health' training, our Programme Lead Chris Miezitis can be reached at:

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We all want Scotland to be the best place for children to grow up. But while the evidence tells us just how important the role of a dad is to the life chances of any child, we now know that at least one in ten new dads suffer from post-natal depression, with up to 45% of dads affected by post-natal stress and anxiety.

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Alternatives

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1. West Herts Breastfeeding Padlet

2. Infant Feeding Information

3. Off to the Best Start

4. BFI: Guide to Breastfeeding

5. Responsive Bottle Feeding

6. Infant Milk: A Simple Guide

7. BFI Guide to Breastfeeding and Bottle Feeding in multiple languages

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1. GBS Infection in Newborns

2. RCOG: GBS in Pregnancy and Newborns

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1. Safer sleep for babies

2. Safer sleep for babies and the impact of smoking

3. Mattresses, bedding and cots.

4. The right temperature for your baby

5. What to expect with newborn sleep

6. where babies sleep

7. Baby summer safety

8. recognising neonatal jaundice

9. BFI: Caring for your baby at night

10. Car seat safety

11. Safer sleep guide

12. Normal infant sleep (English & Romanian)

13. TB, BCG Vaccine and your baby (multiple languages)

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1. Download the Squeezy App

2. Your Pelvic Floor

3. Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy

4. First & Second Degree Tears

5. Third and Fourth Degree Tears

6. Episiotomies

7. Pelvic Floor Exercises

8. How to do your pelvic floor exercises

9. How your vagina changes after childbirth

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1. Advice for the latent phase of labour

2. Tips for early labour

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1. Induction of labour

2. Dilapan

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1. Pain relief in labour

2. Perineal Massage

3. Turning a breech baby

4. Fetal Monitoring in Labour

5. Preparing for caesarean section

6. Caesarean section

7. Vaginal birth after caesarean sections

8. Vitamin K and your baby

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1. Choosing where to have your baby

2. Birthplace Study

3. Personalised Care Plan

4. Alexandra Birth Centre

5. Delivery Suite

6. Homebirth

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1. Building a happy baby.

2. BFI: The importance of relationship building.

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1. Virtual Tour of West Herts Maternity Services

2. Preparing for Baby Antenatal Classes

3. Virtual Antenatal Breastfeeding Classes

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Herts Sunflower
Women's Aid
How to get help when you need it (multiple language resources).

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1. Best Beginnings

2. Mental Health During Pregnancy

3. Wellbeing Service

4. Paternal Mental Health

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7️⃣ Looking after yourself during pregnancy.

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7️⃣ Looking after yourself during pregnancy.

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1. Vitamin D & Folic Acid

2. Vitamin D in Pregnancy

3. Health Start Vitamins

4. A healthier lifestyle for you and your baby

5. Healthy Start Scheme

6. The Eatwell Guide

7. Foods to avoid in pregnancy

8. Exercise in pregnancy

9. Stop Smoking in Pregnancy

10. Hertfordshire Stop Smoking Service

11. Flu Jab in Pregnancy

12. Whooping Cough Vaccination in Pregnancy

13. Alcohol in Pregnancy

14. Sex in Pregnancy

15. Preventing Blood Clots in Pregnancy

16. Information for women advised to take low dose aspirin

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Reduced fetal movements leaflets in multiple languages

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1. Antenatal Results & Choices

2. Screening Tests for you and your baby.

3. Mothers Blood Test to check her Unborn Babies Blood Group

4. Cell Free Fetal DNA Testing

5. Gestational Diabetes

6. Newborn Infant Physical Examination

7. Newborn Bloodspot

8. Newborn Hearing Test

9. Parvovirus

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4️⃣ Information for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Women

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4️⃣ Information for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Women

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1. Information for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Women

2. Multi Lingual Maternity Resources

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Multi Lingual Maternity Resources

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1. COVID Vaccination and Information

2. COVID Vaccine: Decision Aid

3. RCOG: COVID 19 & Pregnancy

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Orchid Team
Oak Team
Sapphire Team
Phoenix Team
St Albans Team
Tudor Team
Ashridge Team
Lavender Team
Out of Area Clinic

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1. Join Maternity Voices Partnership

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1. Lateral Flow Test

2. Face Coverings

3. Latest Visiting & Appointment Guidance

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Fetal Monitoring in Labour

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Vitamin K and Your Baby

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Vaginal Birth after Caesarean Section

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Turning a breech baby (ECV)

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Parvovirus

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Episiotomy

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00141_4-17v01 Episotomy Patient Information Leaflet FINAL

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Caesarean Section

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00142_4-17v01 Caesarean Section Patient Information Leaflet FINAL

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Tips for Early Labour

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RCOG: GBS in Pregnancy & Newborns

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Abuse costs us all. But it shouldn't cost this much.Take action today Abuse costs us all. But it shouldn't cost this much.Take action today We're working together against domestic abuse until wo...

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Induction of Labour

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An induced labour is one that's started artificially.

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

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

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

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

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

Why you might be induced

if you're overdue

if your waters have broken

if you or your baby have a health problem

If you're overdue

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

If your waters break early

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Membrane sweep

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How labour is induced

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

There are 2 main ways labour can be induced:

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

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

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

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

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

What induced labour feels like

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

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

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

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

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

If induction of labour does not work

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

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

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

Natural ways to start labour

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

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

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

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

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Gestational Diabetes

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Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.
It can happen at any stage of pregnancy, but is more common in the second or third trimester.

It happens when your body cannot produce enough insulin - a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels - to meet your extra needs in pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes can cause problems for you and your baby during pregnancy and after birth. But the risks can be reduced if the condition is detected early and well managed.

Who's at risk of gestational diabetes

Any woman can develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, but you're at an increased risk if:

you are over 40

your body mass index (BMI) is above 30 - use the BMI healthy weight calculator to work out your BMI

you previously had a baby who weighed 4.5kg (10lb) or more at birth

you had gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy

1 of your parents or siblings has diabetes

you are of south Asian, Black, African-Caribbean or Middle Eastern origin (even if you were born in the UK)

you have had a gastric bypass or other weight-loss surgery

If any of these apply to you, you should be offered screening for gestational diabetes during your pregnancy.

Symptoms of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes does not usually cause any symptoms.

Most cases are only discovered when your blood sugar levels are tested during screening for gestational diabetes.

Some women may develop symptoms if their blood sugar levels gets too high (hyperglycaemia), such as:

increased thirst

needing to pee more often than usual

a dry mouth

tiredness

blurred eyesight

genital itching or thrush

But some of these symptoms are common during pregnancy and are not necessarily a sign of gestational diabetes. Speak to your midwife or doctor if you're worried about any symptoms you're experiencing.

How gestational diabetes can affect your pregnancy

Most women with gestational diabetes have otherwise normal pregnancies with healthy babies.

However, gestational diabetes can cause problems such as:

your baby growing larger than usual - this may lead to difficulties during the delivery and increases the likelihood of needing induced labour or a caesarean section

polyhydramnios - too much amniotic fluid (the fluid that surrounds the baby) in the womb, which can cause premature labour or problems at delivery

premature birth - giving birth before the 37th week of pregnancy

pre-eclampsia - a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy and can lead to pregnancy complications if not treated

your baby developing low blood sugar or yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice) after he or she is born, which may require treatment in hospital

the loss of your baby (stillbirth) - though this is rare

Having gestational diabetes also means you're at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.

Screening for gestational diabetes

During your first antenatal appointment (also called a booking appointment) at around week 8 to 12 of your pregnancy, your midwife or doctor will ask you some questions to determine whether you're at an increased risk of gestational diabetes.

If you have 1 or more risk factors for gestational diabetes you should be offered a screening test.

The screening test is called an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), which takes about 2 hours.

It involves having a blood test in the morning, when you have not had any food or drink for 8 to 10 hours (though you can usually drink water, but check with the hospital if you're unsure). You're then given a glucose drink.

After resting for 2 hours, another blood sample is taken to see how your body is dealing with the glucose.

The OGTT is done when you're between 24 and 28 weeks pregnant. If you've had gestational diabetes before, you'll be offered an OGTT earlier in your pregnancy, soon after your booking appointment, then another OGTT at 24 to 28 weeks if the first test is normal.
Find out more at Lab Tests Online: Glucose Tests.

Treatments for gestational diabetes

If you have gestational diabetes, the chances of having problems with your pregnancy can be reduced by controlling your blood sugar levels.

You'll be given a blood sugar testing kit so you can monitor the effects of treatment.

Blood sugar levels may be reduced by changing your diet and being more active if you can. Gentle activities such as walking, swimming and prenatal yoga can help reduce blood sugar. But tell your midwife or doctor before starting an activity you haven't done before.

However, if these changes don't lower your blood sugar levels enough, you will need to take medicine as well. This may be tablets or insulin injections.

You'll also be more closely monitored during your pregnancy and birth to check for any potential problems.

If you have gestational diabetes, it's best to give birth before 41 weeks. Induction of labour or a caesarean section may be recommended if labour does not start naturally by this time.

Earlier delivery may be recommended if there are concerns about your or your baby's health or if your blood sugar levels have not been well controlled.

Find out more about how gestational diabetes is treated.

Long-term effects of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes normally goes away after birth. But women who've had it are more likely to develop:

gestational diabetes again in future pregnancies

type 2 diabetes - a lifelong type of diabetes

You should have a blood test to check for diabetes 6 to 13 weeks after giving birth, and once every year after that if the result is normal.

See your GP if you develop symptoms of high blood sugar, such as increased thirst, needing to pee more often than usual, and a dry mouth - do not wait until your next test.

You should have the tests even if you feel well, as many people with diabetes do not have any symptoms.

You'll also be advised about things you can do to reduce your risk of getting diabetes, such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.

Some research has suggested that babies of mothers who had gestational diabetes may be more likely to develop diabetes or become obese later in life.

Planning future pregnancies

If you've had gestational diabetes before and you're planning to get pregnant, make sure you get checked for diabetes. Your GP can arrange this.

If you do have diabetes, you should be referred to a diabetes pre-conception clinic for support to ensure your condition is well controlled before you get pregnant.

Read more about diabetes in pregnancy.

If you have an unplanned pregnancy, talk to your GP and tell them you had gestational diabetes in your previous pregnancy.

If tests show you do not have diabetes, you'll be offered screening earlier in pregnancy (soon after your first midwife appointment) and another test at 24 to 28 weeks if the first test is normal.

Alternatively, your midwife or doctor may suggest you test your blood sugar levels yourself using a finger-pricking device in the same way as you did during your previous gestational diabetes.
Community content from HealthUnlocked

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Find out what gestational diabetes is, what problems it can cause, how it's diagnosed, and what the treatments are.

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Hertfordshire Stop Smoking Service

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Choosing where to have your baby

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Choosing where to have your baby

Where you have your baby is your choice, and you should always be supported in this choice.

Giving birth is generally very safe for both you and your baby, wherever you choose to have your baby. Your midwife should explain that you can choose to give birth at home, in a midwife-led unit or in an obstetric unit.

Midwife‑led units (also called birth centres) are more 'home‑like' and relaxed. They can be in or next to a hospital (called 'alongside' units) or in a different place (called 'freestanding' units). Obstetric units (also called labour wards) have more medical facilities.

If you have had a baby before, your midwife should advise you that planning birth at home or in a midwife‑led unit is particularly suitable for you. This is because the evidence shows that:

you are less likely to have interventions (such as a ventouse or forceps birth, caesarean section and episiotomy) compared with planning birth in an obstetric unit

the chances of your baby having a serious medical problem (which are very low) are not affected by where you plan to give birth.

If you are having your first baby, your midwife should advise you that planning birth in a midwife‑led unit is particularly suitable for you. This is because the evidence shows that:

you are less likely to have interventions (such as a ventouse or forceps birth, caesarean section and episiotomy) compared with planning birth in an obstetric unit

the chances of your baby having a serious medical problem (which are very low) are not affected compared with planning birth in an obstetric unit, but there is a small increase in the chance of a serious problem for your baby if you plan to give birth at home.

NICE has said this based on the best available evidence from a number of studies. This includes a study called Birthplace, which looked at where lots of healthy women in England planned to give birth and what happened when they had their babies. The box below gives more details about what was found in the study.

Not all women are able to give birth where they planned or hoped for. Some women will need to be transferred to an obstetric unit during labour if there are concerns about them or their baby, so that extra care is on hand if needed (see what if I need to be transferred to an obstetric unit during labour?).

Information from the Birthplace study

More information (including tables containing figures from Birthplace and other studies) is available in section 1.1 of the version of the guideline for healthcare professionals.

Note that the information here:

is about healthy women who were at low risk of having problems during labour and birth

is based on where the women planned to give birth, whether or not they ended up having their baby where they planned.

Women who have had a baby before

Women planning birth at home or in a freestanding midwife‑led unit were more likely to have 'normal' (vaginal) birth than women planning birth in an alongside midwife‑led unit. Women planning birth in any of these 3 places were more likely to have a normal birth than women planning birth in an obstetric unit.

Women planning birth in an obstetric unit were more likely to have interventions, such as ventouse or forceps birth, caesarean section and episiotomy, than women planning birth in other places.

The chances of a baby having a serious medical problem were the same, and not affected by where women planned to give birth.

Women having their first baby

Women planning birth at home or in a freestanding midwife‑led unit were more likely to have a normal (vaginal) birth than women planning birth in an alongside midwife‑led unit. Women planning birth in any of these 3 places were more likely to have a normal birth than women planning birth in an obstetric unit.

Women planning birth in an obstetric unit were more likely to have interventions, such as ventouse or forceps birth, caesarean section and episiotomy, than women planning birth in other places.

The chances of a baby having a serious medical problem were the same for women planning birth in an alongside midwife‑led unit, a freestanding midwife‑led unit or an obstetric unit.

The chances of a baby having a serious medical problem were slightly higher for women planning birth at home than for women planning birth in the other 3 places.

To help you make a decision about where to have your baby, your midwife should give you information about home births and about all birth units in your local area, including:

the likelihood of being cared for in labour by a midwife you already know

the likelihood of being cared for in labour by a midwife who is looking after just you (this doesn't necessarily mean the same midwife throughout the whole of your labour) - this is often called 'one‑to‑one care'

which medical staff will be available

types of pain relief available (epidurals are only available in obstetric units - see epidurals section).

You may be advised to give birth in an obstetric unit if you have certain health conditions. This may also be the case if you have had problems with a previous pregnancy or birth, or if complications develop during your pregnancy. If any of these apply to you, your midwife or doctor will talk with you about your options.

All options should be available to you. Wherever you choose to have your baby, you should be supported in your choice.

Questions you might like to ask about where to have your baby

What are the different places where I can choose to have my baby?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of these different places?

Where can I find more information or support for my choice about where I have my baby?

Can I change my mind about where to have my baby?

How likely am I to have a midwife I know looking after me during labour?

What different types of pain relief are available in the different places?

Can my birth companion(s) stay with me after the birth?

What types of serious medical problems can affect babies, and how common are they?

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Intrapartum care for healthy women and babies

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Where you have your baby is your choice, and you should always be supported in this choice. Giving birth is generally very safe for both you and your baby, wherever you choose to have your baby. Your midwife should explain that you can choose to give birth at home, in a midwife-led unit or in an obstetric unit.

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Pregnancy Crisis and Support Centre

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We will be accepting donations of all items, except clothes, from 4th May 2021

Donations of items such as cots, pushchairs, baby equipment, toys, books, blankets etc can be made on a Tuesday or Friday between 10am - 4pm

We are very grateful to everyone who donates items to us and we thank you for your patience as we ensure our shops are safe and clean for staff, volunteers and customers

Please keep an eye on our website and social media posts for further information regarding donations of clothes.

PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE DONATIONS OUTSIDE OUR SHOPS

COUNSELLING SERVICES - During this time all our counselling is taking place remotely either by phone call or video call. Please get in touch via phone or email for further details or to make a referral.

BABY BOX PROJECT - Please email referrals to amelia@alternativeswatford.co.uk

IF YOU HAVE A QUERY ABOUT ANYTHING PLEASE EMAIL angela@alternativeswatford.co.uk

(Phone messages at our Head Office will not be picked up daily during this time but emails will be seen every day)

Kind regards, Angela Such (CEO)

Head Office / Watford Mother and Baby Charity Shop Hemel Hempstead Mother and Baby Charity Shop

15 Clarendon Road Unit 3, 160 Marlowes

Watford Hemel Hempstead

WD17 1JR HP1 1BA

01923 232179 01442 264222

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We will be accepting donations of all items, except clothes, from 4th May 2021 Donations of items such as cots, pushchairs, baby equipment, toys, books, blankets etc can be made on a Tuesday or Friday between 10am - 4pm We are very grateful to everyone who donates items to us and we thank you for your patience as we ensure our shops are safe and clean for staff, volunteers and customers Please keep an eye on our website and social media posts for further information regarding donations of clothes.

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Nicola Wood

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Herts Sunflower

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Herts Sunflower is a service supporting people who have been abused or people who know someone who has been abused. Get help and advice if you're suffering from domestic violence, rape and sexual abuse, forced marriage, Female Genital Mutilation, honour based abuse or you're an abuser and need help.

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How to get help when you need it

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If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you can't speak and are calling on a mobile press 55 to have your call transferred to the police. Find out how to call the police when you can't speak.

For free, confidential advice, 24 hours a day contact a domestic abuse helpline.

Household isolation instructions do not apply if you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse.

Translated guidance

If English is not your first language, information has been translated into several languages as well as an easy read version.

Women's Aid also have guidance documents on domestic abuse and coronavirus available in a number of languages for victims, family and friends, and community members of those affected.

If you are deaf, you can access a British Sign Language video that explains how to get help if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse.

Recognise domestic abuse

Does your partner, ex-partner or someone you live with:

cut you off from family and friends and intentionally isolate you?

bully, threaten, or control you?

take control of your finances?

monitor or limit your use of technology?

physically and/or sexually abuse you?

Domestic abuse is not always physical violence. It can also include:

coercive control and 'gaslighting'

economic abuse

online abuse

threats and intimidation

emotional abuse

sexual abuse

Anyone can be a victim of domestic abuse, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion, socio-economic status, sexuality or background.

If you believe that you are a victim of domestic abuse, there are signs that you can look out for including:

being withdrawn, or being isolated from your family and friends

having bruises, burns or bite marks on you

having your finances controlled, or not being given enough to buy food, medication or pay bills

not being allowed to leave your house, or stopped from going to college or work

having your internet or social media use monitored, or someone else reading your texts, emails or letters

being repeatedly belittled, put down or told you are worthless

being pressured into sex or sexual contact

being told that abuse is your fault, or that you're overreacting

See more signs to look for.

Get help and support

All forms of domestic abuse are not acceptable in any situation.

If you're experiencing domestic abuse and feel frightened of, or controlled by, a partner, an ex-partner or family member, it's important to remember that it's not your fault and there is no shame in seeking help.

It may seem like a difficult step to take, but there is support available and #YouAreNot Alone.

Free, confidential support and advice is available to victims and their concerned family members or friends, 24 hours a day.

Bright Sky app

Bright Sky is a mobile app and website for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, or who is worried about someone else.

The app can be downloaded for free from the app stores. Only download the app if it is safe for you to do so and if you are sure that your phone isn't being monitored.

Women's Aid local support services directory

Women's Aid have a directory of domestic abuse support services across the UK.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse or are worried about friends or family, you can access the Women's Aid live chat service 7 days a week, 10am to 6pm.
helpline@womensaid.org.uk
Victim Support

Victim Support run these services for victims and survivors of any abuse or crime, regardless of when it occurred or if the crime was reported to the police:

Ask for ANI codeword

If you are experiencing domestic abuse and need immediate help, ask for ANI (Action Needed Immediately) in participating pharmacies and Jobcentres (Jobs and Benefits Offices in Northern Ireland).

When you ask for ANI, you will be offered a private space, provided with a phone and asked if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse support services.

To find your nearest participating provider, search using the postcode checker on the Ask for Ani page on the Enough website.

Ask for ANI logo used in participating pharmacies and Jobcentres (Jobs and Benefits Offices in Northern Ireland).

Safe Spaces

Ask for ANI is delivered in partnership with Safe Spaces, a safe and confidential room where victims can take some time to reflect, access information on specialist support services or call friends or family.

Safe Spaces are also available in Boots, Morrisons, Superdrug and Well pharmacies, TSB banks and independent pharmacies across the UK.

Find your nearest Safe Space.

Check whether someone has an abusive past

If you are concerned that a new, former or existing partner has an abusive past you can ask the police to check under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (also known as 'Clare's Law'). This is your 'right to ask'. If records show that you may be at risk of domestic abuse, the police will consider disclosing the information. A disclosure can be made if it is legal, proportionate and necessary to do so.

If you are concerned about a friend or family member, you can apply for a disclosure on behalf of someone you know.

You can make a request to the police for information about a person's previous violent offending in person at the police station or elsewhere, by telephone, by email, online or as part of a police investigation. Support agencies and services can also help you ask the police about this.

Get a court order to protect you or your child

If you're a victim of domestic abuse you can apply for a court order or injunction to protect yourself or your child from:

your current or previous partner

a family member

someone you currently or previously lived with

This is called a non-molestation or occupation order.

You can apply online, by email or by post.

Get a court order if you've been the victim of domestic abuse.

Support someone you know

If you are worried that a friend, neighbour or loved one is a victim of domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for free and confidential advice, 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247.

Or you can contact the other support services listed on this page.

Seeking help for someone you know can be challenging but #YouAreNotalone. Domestic abuse advisers will offer confidential, non-judgemental information and advice on the options available to you helping you to keep safe and make informed choices.

If you believe there is an immediate risk of harm to someone, or it is an emergency, you should always call 999.

If someone confides in you, there is more information on how to support a friend who is being abused.

If you are an employer

Let your employees know that if they are facing domestic abuse you want to help them to get help. Stay in regular contact with employees you know, or fear, may be facing abuse and if you lose contact with them, take swift action to visit them. If you believe there is an immediate risk of harm to someone, or it is an emergency, always call 999.

Encourage employees to look out for others who may be facing domestic abuse and signpost them to support. Your staff may also be worried about their own abusive behaviour at this time. There is no excuse for domestic abuse, no matter what stresses you are under and support is available.

Hestia's Respond to Abuse Advice Line is a free resource for employers. Employers can call 020 3879 3695 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, or email adviceline.eb@hestia.org for support, guidance or information about domestic abuse and how to support employees and colleagues experiencing domestic abuse.

The  Employers' Initiative on Domestic Abuse website provides resources to support employers including an  employers' toolkit.

If you are a professional working in the domestic abuse sector

SafeLives  provides guidance and support to professionals and those working in the domestic abuse sector, as well as additional advice for those at risk.

Find additional information and support

If you want to access help specifically to cater to your background and needs or want support and help for specific types of abuse there are several organisations that can help - see Domestic abuse: specialist sources of support.

You can also find additional information and support here on topics including:

help for children and young people

welfare benefits and housing advice

help if you don't have settled status in the UK

support for specific types of abuse

Get help if you think you might be an abuser

If you are concerned about your behaviour or the behaviour of someone you know, there is support available.

The Respect Phoneline  is an anonymous and confidential helpline for men and women who are abusing their partners and families. It is open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm. The helpline also takes calls from partners or ex-partners, friends and relatives who are concerned about perpetrators.

A webchat service is available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10am to 11am and from 3pm to 4pm.

Telephone: 0808 802 4040

How to call the police when you can't speak

If you are in danger and unable to talk on the phone, call 999 and listen to the questions from the operator and, if you can, respond by coughing or tapping on the handset.

Call 999 from a mobile

If prompted, press 55 to Make Yourself Heard (PDF, 348KB) and this will transfer your call to the police. Pressing 55 only works on mobiles and does not allow police to track your location.

Call 999 from a landline

If the operator can only hear background noise and cannot decide whether an emergency service is needed, you will be connected to a police call handler.

If you replace the handset, the landline may remain connected for 45 seconds in case you pick up again.

When 999 calls are made from landlines, information about your location should be automatically available to the call handlers to help provide a response.

If you are deaf or can't use a phone

You can register with the emergencySMS. Text REGISTER to 999. You will get a text which tells you what to do next. Do this when it is safe so you can text when you are in danger.

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Find out how to get help if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse.

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How to get help when you need it

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Domestic violence or abuse can happen to anyone. Find out how to recognise the signs and where to get help.
If you're worried someone might see you have visited this page, the Women's Aid website tells you how to cover your tracks online.

Domestic violence, also called domestic abuse, includes physical, emotional and sexual abuse in couple relationships or between family members.

Domestic violence can happen against anyone, and anybody can be an abuser.

Getting help and support for domestic violence

You do not have to wait for an emergency situation to find help. If domestic abuse is happening to you, it's important to tell someone and remember you're not alone.

Other ways to get support:

You can also email for support. It is important that you specify when and if it is safe to respond and to which email address:

The Survivor's Handbook from the charity Women's Aid is free and provides information for women on a wide range of issues, such as housing, money, helping your children, and your legal rights.

If you are worried that you are abusive, you can contact the free Respect helpline on 0808 802 4040.

Signs of domestic violence and abuse

There are different kinds of abuse, but it's always about having power and control over you.

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, you might be in an abusive relationship or experiencing domestic abuse.

Emotional abuse

Does your partner or someone you live with ever:

belittle you, or put you down?

blame you for the abuse or arguments?

deny that abuse is happening, or downplay it?

isolate you from your family and friends?

stop you going to college or work?

make unreasonable demands for your attention?

accuse you of flirting or having affairs?

tell you what to wear, who to see, where to go, and what to think?

control your money, or not give you enough to buy food or other essential things?

monitor your social media profiles, share photos or videos of you without your consent or use GPS locators to know where you are?

Threats and intimidation

Does your partner or someone you live with ever:

threaten to hurt or kill you?

destroy things that belong to you?

stand over you, invade your personal space?

threaten to kill themselves or the children?

read your emails, texts or letters?

harass or follow you?

Physical abuse

The person abusing you may hurt you in a number of ways.

Does your partner or someone you live with ever:

slap, hit or punch you?

push or shove you?

bite or kick you?

burn you?

choke you or hold you down?

throw things?

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse can happen to anyone.

Does your partner or someone you live with ever:

touch you in a way you do not want to be touched?

make unwanted sexual demands?

hurt you during sex?

pressure you to have unsafe sex - for example, not using a condom?

pressure you to have sex?

If anyone has sex with you when you do not want to, this is rape. It is still rape if that person is your partner.

Have you ever felt afraid of your partner?

Have you ever changed your behaviour because you're afraid of what your partner might do?

If you think you may be in an abusive relationship, there are lots of people who can help you.

Domestic violence and abuse against women often starts during pregnancy. If the relationship is already abusive, it can get worse.

Find out more about domestic abuse in pregnancy.

If you decide to leave

The first step in escaping an abusive situation is realising that you're not alone and it's not your fault.

Before you go, try to get advice from an organisation such as:

If you're considering leaving, be careful who you tell. It's important the person abusing you does not know where you're going.

Women's Aid has useful information about making a safety plan that applies to both women and men, including advice if you decide to leave.

Helping a friend if they're being abused

If you're worried a friend is being abused, let them know you've noticed something is wrong.

They might not be ready to talk, but try to find quiet times when they can talk if they choose to.

If someone confides in you that they're suffering domestic abuse:

listen, and take care not to blame them

acknowledge it takes strength to talk to someone about experiencing abuse

give them time to talk, but do not push them to talk if they do not want to

acknowledge they're in a frightening and difficult situation

tell them nobody deserves to be threatened or beaten, despite what the abuser has said

support them as a friend, encourage them to express their feelings, and allow them to make their own decisions

do not tell them to leave the relationship or leave home if they're not ready - that's their decision

ask if they have suffered physical harm and if they have, offer to go with them to a hospital or GP

help them report the assault to the police if they choose to

be ready to provide information about organisations that offer help for people experiencing domestic abuse

Video: domestic violence

In this video, 2 women describe their experiences of domestic abuse.

Sexual assault

Anyone who has been sexually assaulted can get confidential help, treatment and support at a sexual assault referral centre.
Read more about getting help after rape and sexual assault Find your nearest sexual assault referral centre

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Getting help for domestic violence and abuse

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Find out about the signs of domestic violence and abuse, and where to get help. Domestic violence and abuse can happen against women and against men, and anyone can be an abuser.

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If you would like to help us develop our maternity services please get in touch with us or the West Herts Maternity Voices Partnership Group

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If you would like to help us develop our maternity services please get in touch with us or the West Herts Maternity Voices Partnership Group

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How you Vagina Changes after Childbirth

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Find out about the changes to your vagina after giving birth, including soreness and feeling more “open”, plus what you can do to help recovery.

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How to do your Pelvic Floor Exercises

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Our aim is to help people to manage their health and wellbeing, alongside the care provided by healthcare professionals.

The information we provide is as accurate and as comprehensive as possible but it is only general advice and should not be used as a substitute for the individual advice you might receive from consulting your own doctor.

Our videos have been written by medical scriptwriters, and reviewed by healthcare professionals. The videos are reviewed regularly to ensure that they provide up-to-date information but you should note the limitations on our liability, as well as our other terms for the use of our site in our full terms and conditions.

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Our aim is to help people to manage their health and wellbeing, alongside the care provided by healthcare professionals. The information we provide is as accurate and as comprehensive as possible but it is only general advice and should not be used as a substitute for the individual advice you might receive from consulting your own doctor.

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Pelvic Floor Exercises

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Pelvic floor exercises strengthen the muscles around your bladder, bottom, and vagina or penis.

Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can help urinary incontinence, treat pelvic organ prolapse, and make sex better too.

Everyone can benefit from doing pelvic floor exercises.

Find your pelvic floor muscles

You can feel your pelvic floor muscles if you try to stop the flow of urine when you go to the toilet.

It's not recommended that you regularly stop the flow of urine midstream as it can be harmful to your bladder.

Pelvic floor exercises

To strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, sit comfortably and squeeze the muscles 10 to 15 times.

Do not hold your breath or tighten your stomach, bottom or thigh muscles at the same time.

When you get used to doing pelvic floor exercises, you can try holding each squeeze for a few seconds.

Every week, you can add more squeezes, but be careful not to overdo it, and always have a rest between sets of squeezes.

After a few months, you should start to notice results. You should keep doing the exercises, even when you notice they're starting to work.

Pregnancy and pelvic floor exercises

If you're pregnant or planning to get pregnant, you can start doing pelvic floor exercises immediately.

The exercises will lower your chance of experiencing incontinence after having your baby.

Find out more about exercise in pregnancy, including pelvic floor exercises.

How pelvic floor exercises can help with sex

Strong pelvic floor muscles can also mean increased sensitivity during sex and stronger orgasms.

Strengthening and training the pelvic floor muscles can help also reduce the symptoms of erectile dysfunction.

Further information

Page last reviewed: 14 April 2020
Next review due: 14 April 2023

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Find out about exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, which are the muscles around your bladder, bottom, and vagina or penis.