During pregnancy
Whether this is your first baby or an addition to your family,
having a baby can be a very exciting and unpredictable time for
mum, dad and other members of the family so it's a good idea to be
prepared. These sites offer advice about pregnancy and giving
birth.
Your GP will give you advice and support throughout your pregnancy
and arrange your antenatal care. If you don't have a local GP, you
should register with one as soon as you can:
· Find a doctor in
your area
If you may want information on how to look after yourself and your
unborn child, your partner's role, choosing maternity care, what to
expect during the pregnancy and hospital visits the following pages
will give you a wealth of information whether you are mum or
dad:
·
BBCi Parenting
· The National Childbirth Trust
· Department
for Work and Pensions has information on specific
benefits/services you may be entitled to, inlcuding maternity and
paternity leave.
· The NHS Direct website has a list of
frequently asked questions and a section on
pregnancy.
Teenage pregnancy
Research shows that teenage girls are less likely to become
pregnant if they are able to talk about sex openly with their
parents. The
DirectGov website provides advice, information and links to
helpful websites about teenage pregnancy, contraception, and sexual
health.
Antenatal care
If you've booked a hospital birth, you may be able to go to NHS
antenatal classes at your local hospital or clinic. You may also be
able to do these if you have booked a home birth with NHS midwives.
NHS antenatal classes are taught by midwives who have extensive
knowledge of labour and birth, and your local hospital's policies
and procedures. Classes will include information about what the
experience labour, pain relief, interventions and Caesarean birth.
You will also learn about the skills you need as a parent, such as
how to bath a baby and changing nappies. If you wish to attend
antenatal classes, you should let your midwife know as soon as
possible.
Complications
Sometimes pregnancy doesn't go as you would have hoped and there
are complications, but there are various support groups that can
help:
· Directgov's
section on complications
· The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust
· The Family Fund Trust can
provide grants and information for severely disabled
children.
· The Foundation for the Study of Infant
Deaths
· The Miscarriage
Association UK provides support and information for those
suffering the effects of pregnancy loss.
· The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death
Society
Related information
> Health and social care