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A Specialist Public Health Nurse who specialises in Health Visiting, will receive information about your pregnancy from your midwife. For your first baby you will be visited at your home and we will discuss the support we can offer you.
All pregnant women will receive a personal child health record (PCHR), also known as the ‘red book’, and our antenatal pack. This details the support we can provide you and useful information before your child is born along with how to get in touch with us. You can use your red book to record your child’s weight and height, vaccinations and other important information. If you have given us your email address we will send you information and advice to support you and your partner while you are pregnant.
Online course for everyone around the baby: Mums, Dads, Grandparents, friends and relations. Written by Registered Midwives and NHS Professionals.
Screening for you and your baby video from the NHS
NHS patient information leaflet you can download
NHS patient information leaflet you can download
NHS patient information leaflet you can download
NHS patient information you can download
Step B support provides awareness and education, giving new and expectant parents and healthcare professionals free up-to-date accurate information about group B Strep.
This information is for you if you want to know more about bleeding and/or pain in the first 3 months of pregnancy. It may be helpful if you are a partner, relative or friend of someone who has bleeding and/or pain in early pregnancy.
The Co-ParentPad© is a quick reference baby guide to support non-birthing parents who identify as LGBTQI+.
Discover Support for Expectant Parents!
Support for families and expert advice on safer sleep for babies and emotional support for bereaved families.Our safer sleep advice gives simple steps for how you can sleep your baby to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which is commonly known as cot death. It can give you the peace of mind to enjoy this special time.
Preparing You for Parenthood and Beyond!
Dads Matter UK provides support for dads worried about or suffering from depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Website: www.dadsmatteruk.orgFacebook: @dadsmatteruk
Up to date advice and information about Torbay’s maternity services.
Online course for everyone around the baby: Mums, Dads, Grandparents, friends and relations. Written by Registered Midwives and NHS Professionals.
Skin to skin contact helps the baby to adjust to life outside the womb and is highly important for supporting mothers to initiate breastfeeding and to develop a close, loving relationship with their baby.
If your doctor or consultant has referred you for a radiology scan, there are helpful videos to help you to understand what is involved, help you to prepare for your scan and help you to feel less anxious about what is involved.
The UK’s fatherhood think-and-do tank
Tommy’s toolkit on planning for pregnancy.
Find out how to get ready for the birth including making a birth plan.
Whatever you want to know about being pregnant, from early pregnancy signs to which prenatal vitamins you should take, you should find it here. There’s an essential guide and lots of free tools for having a healthy, happy baby.
Support for twins, triplets or more from pregnancy onwards.
Best Beginnings – Developed by UK charity Best Beginnings in collaboration with parents, healthcare professionals and partner charities across the country: the free Baby Buddy app is with you throughout your pregnancy and parenting journey, day by day.
Information on pregnancy, birth and postnatal information in other languages including some audio recordings and videos
As a trans man or non-binary person who can carry a child, you may be thinking about getting pregnant and what this means for you. Find out more here.
Information and advice on becoming or being a same sex couple.
You’ll find everything you need to help you feel confident and reassured over the next nine months right here.
New dads will feel excited, but may also feel left out, unsure and overwhelmed. The DadPad® can help.
Most women are first aware of their baby moving when they are 18–20 weeks pregnant. However, if this is your first pregnancy, you may not become aware of movements until you are more than 20 weeks pregnant. If you have been pregnant before, you may feel movements as early as 16 weeks. Pregnant women feel their baby’s movements as a kick, flutter, swish or roll.
During your pregnancy, feeling your baby move gives you reassurance of his or her wellbeing. If you notice your baby is moving less than usual or if you have noticed a change in the pattern of movements, it may sometimes be a sign that your baby is unwell and therefore it is essential that you contact your midwife or local maternity unit immediately so that your baby’s wellbeing can be assessed.
There is no specific number of movements that is considered normal. During your pregnancy, you need to be aware of your baby’s individual pattern of movements. A reduction or a change in your baby’s movements is what is important.
You are less likely to be aware of your baby’s movements when you are active or busy.
Certain drugs such as strong pain relief or sedatives can get into your baby’s circulation and make your baby move less. Alcohol and smoking may also affect your baby’s movements. In some cases, a baby may move less because he or she is unwell. Rarely, a condition affecting the muscles or nerves may cause your baby to move very little or not at all.
There is not enough evidence to recommend the routine use of a movement chart. It is more important for you to be aware of your baby’s individual pattern of movements throughout your pregnancy and you should seek immediate help if you feel that the movements are reduced or changed.
Always seek professional help immediately. Never go to sleep ignoring a reduction or change in your baby’s movements. Do not rely on any home kits you may have for listening to your baby’s heartbeat.
When you go home you will be advised to keep an eye on your baby’s movements and, should your baby have another episode of reduced movements, you must again contact your midwife or local maternity unit immediately. You should never hesitate to contact your midwife or local maternity unit for advice, no matter how many times this happens.
You and your baby building the most amazing human bodyYour baby’s primitive heart begins beating at about day 22 after fertilisation enabling very primitive blood cells to circulate, and this makes the heart the first functioning organ system.Within weeks after conception your baby’s brain is beginning to bulge and will be given a high priority in the period of growth both before and after birth. Your baby will be having a range of sensory experiences in response to what is going on inside and outside your tummy. Your baby will be able to respond to sound, vibration and vestibular (balance) changes – as you move, your baby responds accordingly.Emotional development of your baby begins long before its first breath of air. Towards the end of the first trimester your growing baby begins to leap and use the walls of your uterus as a trampoline.By week 9 Their fingers and toes are almost complete and they have touch pads on their fingers.By week 10 Your growing baby contains all the organ structures that a new-born baby has, but in an immature state.By week 11 Your baby’s body length has doubled and all vital organs are fully formed. Other coordinated activities such as stretching, swallowing, yawning and sucking are beginning to enlarge.
Continuing to build the most amazing human body
Finishing building the most amazing human body
The brain grows steadily during pregnancy and is about a quarter developed at birth.
Proprioception (unconscious sense of body) Development begins at 9 weeks. Constant feedback from the womb helps baby to understand its physical presence, abilities and restrictions. This is calming for the foetus, sense of separateness comes several months later.
Visit this Padlet for information, advice and support about chatting to your bump.
The most fundamental life skill is the ability to communicate. Speech, language and communication needs is the term used to describe difficulties with:
Bonding can begin before birth. Babies’ brains develop very quickly during pregnancy – they can hear and feel things too.Did you know that babies’ hearing starts developing from about sixteen weeks into pregnancy?By 6 months of pregnancy, your baby can hear music and voices, recognise familiar voices, learn and remember
Speech and Language UK 'Talk Together' guides are available in a range of languages below. They are designed to help parents help their children learn to talk.
UNICEF Leaflet giving antenatal information and early days information on how to develop relationships, and the impact this has on brain development and communication.
Lots of advice and tips to help your child get ready for chatting.
If you have asthma, it’s hard to predict whether your asthma symptoms will be any different in pregnancy. Find out more here
Even if you are normally fit and well, pregnancy requires your heart to work harder. If you were born with a heart abnormality that affects how well your heart works, there is a potential for problems to arise.
Most women with diabetes will have healthy babies. Click here to see the checklist for a healthy pregnancy.
Epilepsy is a relatively common condition. Most women who have epilepsy remain free of seizures throughout pregnancy and they have straightforward pregnancies and healthy babies.
Being overweight or obese during pregnancy can put you at an increased risk of complications.
Find out about the vaccinations that are and aren't recommended during pregnancy to protect you and you baby’s health here. COVID-19 vaccination: a guide on pregnancy and breastfeeding.Read this blog to find out about how flu and COVID vaccinations help protect you and your baby
If you are infected with cytomegalovirus (CMV), toxoplasmosis or genital herpes during pregnancy, there is a chance that the infection might be transferred to your baby. Find out simple ways to help protect yourself and your baby against these infections.
Gestational diabetes is diabetes that can develop during pregnancy.
It’s recommended that if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant you should not drink alcohol. This will keep any risk to your baby to a minimum.
We know that it can be difficult to stop smoking. But we also know that you want to give your baby the best possible start in life. Find helpful information and advice here.
You’re entitled to free NHS dental treatment if you’re pregnant when you start your treatment and for 12 months after your baby is born. To get free NHS dental treatment, you must have a valid maternity exemption certificate (MatEx) issued by your midwife or GP.
Most medicines taken during pregnancy cross the placenta and reach the baby. Before taking any medicine when you’re pregnant, including painkillers, check with your pharmacist, midwife or GP that it’s suitable.
Air travel and pregnancy
You’ll get most of the vitamins and minerals you need by eating a healthy, varied diet. But when you’re pregnant you also need to take a folic acid supplement. It is also important to take a daily vitamin D supplement.
If you’re working while you’re pregnant, find out your rights at work to antenatal care, maternity pay and leave and benefits that you could be entitled to.
Gestational diabetes is high blood sugar (glucose) that develops during pregnancy and usually disappears after giving birth.
Using illegal or street drugs during pregnancy, including cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin, can have a potentially serious effect on your unborn baby.
Information and advice on sexual health and pregnancy
How to get help if you are a victim of domestic abuse or domestic violence during pregnancy.
NHS Start for Life has a week-by-week pregnancy guide, advice on vitamins, and how you and your baby can stay healthy physically and mentally during pregnancy.
Straight-talking good advice for pregnant women
Eating a healthy, nutritious diet is especially important if you’re pregnant, or planning a pregnancy. Your baby relies on you to provide the right balance of nutrients to help them grow and develop properly (even after they’re born).
Having a balanced diet and eating well during pregnancy means having a good variety of foods. This will ensure you have the energy and nutrients you and your baby need during pregnancy.
British Nutrition Foundation aim to give people access to reliable science-based information to support anyone on their journey towards a healthy, sustainable diet. In this section you can read about healthy eating, nutrition and supplements in pregnancy.
The more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to adapt to your changing shape and weight gain. It will also help you to cope with labour and get back into shape after the birth.
Light, gentle exercise is recommended during pregnancy. The more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to adapt to your changing shape and weight gain. It will also help you to cope with labour and get back into shape after the birth.
Food safety advice, including guidance on food allergies.
Your body has a great deal to do during pregnancy. Sometimes the changes taking place can cause irritation or discomfort, and sometimes you may be concerned.
Your choice Where to have your baby…
Community Birth: At home or the Whitelake Midwifery Led Unit patient information leaflet
Find out how to recognise the signs of labour, which can include contractions, a show, waters breaking, backache and needing the toilet.
Call your midwife or hospital maternity unit straight away if you think you are in early labour. It may be a false alarm, but it’s best to get checked out.
Labour can be painful – it can help to learn about all the ways you can relieve the pain.
NHS patient leaflet you can download
An induced labour is one that’s started artificially. Every year, 1 in 5 labours are induced in the UK. Sometimes labour can be induced if your baby is overdue or there’s any risk to you or your baby’s health.
Patient leafet you can download
At the start of labour, your cervix starts to soften so it can open. This is called the latent phase and you may feel irregular contractions.
Considering a caesarean birth patient information leaflet
A caesarean section, or C-section, is an operation to deliver your baby through a cut made in your tummy and womb.
An assisted birth (also known as an instrumental delivery) is when forceps or a ventouse suction cup are used to help deliver the baby. Find out more
Information and advice to support your recovery
Birth after previous caesarean patient information leaflet
Information and advice to support your healing
Your pelvic floor muscles are the group of muscles you would use to stop yourself passing wind or for holding in a wee. The pelvic floor are weakened by pregnancy and birth so we advise doing exercises to help strengthen them again to prevent future problems. Generally these exercises are tricky immediately following birth, but get easier in the coming weeks. Try and make them a part of your daily routine. You may like to download the squeezy app for information and reminders.
Information and advice from POGP, the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy website
Pregnancy can be a wonderful experience, but it also means your body changes a lot. Sometimes these changes put extra pressure on joints and muscles and can cause you to get musculoskeletal symptoms which could be uncomfortable or even painful.
This is where the two halves of one of the tummy muscles called the rectus abdominus, or the ‘six pack’ muscle, move apart once they are not able to stretch any more. This is because as your baby grows, the muscles in your tummy area start to stretch. It can happen at any part along the middle of your tummy muscle, from just under your rib cage, to just above your pubic bone.
It is quite common to experience incontinence during pregnancy and after having a baby. This web page will explain what to do and signpost you to the right help.
Information and advice from POGP, the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy website
A TENS machine can help with:
You’ll need to buy a baby car seat before your baby is born. It’s important to buy one that fits your car and is suitable for a newborn. The NHS website has information on choosing a baby car seat.A car seat is probably one of the most important purchases you will make for your child, but with so many types and models of car seat on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start and which one to choose.Find out more about choosing and fitting a car seat here.
How safer sleep advice reduces the chance of SIDS.
Co-sleeping with your baby. Some parents choose to share a bed or other sleep surface (also known as co-sleeping) with their babies. Advice on how to co-sleep more safely.
NHS advice and information. Find out about the special care given to babies born early (prematurely) or those who are sick, jaundiced or born with a disability.
From your pelvic floor to your posture, from caring for your bladder to returning to exercise, supporting your body during and after pregnancy is important. Learn more from our new video series.
Up to 9 in every 10 first time mothers who have a vaginal birth will experience some sort of tear, graze or episiotomy. It is slightly less common for mothers who have had a vaginal birth before. For most women, these tears are minor and heal quickly.
Contraception after birth should be discussed during your pregnancy and again soon after giving birth. If you do not wish to become pregnant again, contraception will be needed after your baby reaches the age of 21 days.
Make an appointment to register your baby’s birth. You can also find details of who can register the birth and what happens at the appointment.
Support for parents of newborn twins and multiple births. The guide includes advice on sleep, feeding and postnatal depression.
Caring for a baby can be challenging at times. Although you will have lots of great moments, you may also have some worries about what is best for your baby.
It’s natural to focus on your baby’s birth while you’re pregnant. But it’s a good idea to also know what to expect after labour. Skin-to-skin contact really helps with bonding. It’s a good idea to have your baby lifted onto you as soon as they’re born and before the cord is cut so you can be close to each other straight away.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) and Self-Administration of Pain Relief Drug Chart (Maternity Services) leaflet
Jaundice in newborn babies is common and usually harmless. It causes yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes.
NHS Advice about stitches, piles, bleeding and other physical changes after birth, plus tips to help you make a healthy recovery.
Information leaflet for Women and Pregnant People
It is sometimes hard to know what to do and where to go to support your Mental health and Emotional Wellbeing. Click here for Information, advice and useful self-help resources for parents, carers, co-parents, fathers who are experiencing perinatal mental health concerns during pregnancy or in the two years following the birth of a child.
Knowing what to expect when breastfeeding should help you feel as confident as possible when you’ve just given birth and want to breastfeed your baby.
An antenatal education session which focuses on breastfeeding for women, their partners, family and friends, everyone is welcome to come along.
However you plan to feed your baby, skin to skin after birth is a really good way for you to start to get to know each other. In the first few hours after birth, having uninterrupted skin to skin with your baby will help them to go through some important developmental stages.Research has shown that skin to skin at birth with both parents is important. This is your opportunity to begin a bond with your child. Research studies have shown that even 30 minutes of skin-to-skin increases dopamine and oxytocin and lowers testosterone, ensuring that you will have an automatic positive association from close contact with their baby.It’s not just for the first few hours though – whether you choose to breast or bottle feed, skin to skin has important functions for parent and baby throughout baby’s first year and beyond.Skin to skin – i.e. baby stripped down to nappy and held against mum or dads bare chest, has been found to be very important for baby in:
Expressing milk is when you take milk from your breasts so you can feed it to your baby straight away, or store it in the fridge or freezer to use at a later time. You can express breastmilk by hand or with an electric or manual pump, whichever you feel more comfortable using.There are various reasons why you may need or choose to express milk:
Although we would recommend breastfeeding as the best option for you and your baby, we know that there are many reasons why a mum may give their baby formula instead of breast milk. If you choose to do this we won’t treat you any differently and will give you the same support as a breastfeeding mum. This includes advice on:
Peer supporters are mums who have themselves breastfed and have trained as volunteers to help other mums. Ask your midwife, health practitioner or family hub practitioner about your local peer supporter.
Deciding how to feed your baby is an important and personal decision that parents make for their child, but this is not a choice you have to make until you’ve given birth.
Content to be Confirm
Introducing your baby to solid foods (often called weaning onto foods) should start around six months of age (26 weeks). Before introducing solid foods your baby must show three clear developmental signs; stay in a sitting position and hold their head steady, co-ordinate their eyes, hands and mouth, and swallow food rather than pushing most of it back out with their tongue. There are many myths around signs of ready such as; chewing fists, watching you eat, requiring extra feeds and waking during the night. These are not necessarily signs of being ready for solids and some extra breast or first stage milk will help until they are ready for food.Eating solid foods is a significant developmental milestone and babies enjoy exploring new flavours and textures. To begin with solid food is complimentary to baby’s milk and therefore it is less important how much they eat which can vary greatly day today, and more about getting used to the idea and enjoying eating.Babies don’t need three meals a day to start with, so you can start by offering foods at a time that suits you both.Gradually you can increase solid food and introduce more varieties and textures, whilst slowly reducing baby’s milk intake.Eating solid foods should be a pleasurable and exciting learning experience for your baby. Baby-led weaning can be messy but that is all part of the fun. Your baby can feed themselves using their own fingers, but if you are using a spoon wait for your baby to open their mouth before offering the food.Always stay with your baby when they are eating in case they choke.
For Information, advice, support, groups and recommended resources to support parent infant relationships, click here.
