Your Pregnancy - Antenatal Care
If you think you might be pregnant please get in touch with us as soon as possible so that we can start planning your maternity care together.
If you would like to have your maternity care at Whittington Health you can:
- Refer yourself directly to our midwifery team by completing an online self referral form
- Phone our midwifery team on 020 7288 3672 (Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm)
- Ask your GP to refer you
We would like you to contact us as soon as you know you are pregnant, so we can help you choose the options that are right for you. We recommend you see a midwife for the first time before you are 10 weeks pregnant.
When we receive your referral we will arrange an appointment with a midwife to plan your maternity care, including scans and screening tests as required.
At this first 'booking' appointment we will discuss your pregnancy journey and choices for birth, as well as discuss the options for antenatal care and screening that suits you. Plans for your birth will be added to you maternity record and you can update this as you like throughout your pregnancy.
Antenatal care/pathway
All our women and birthing people will have regular check-ups with their community midwife to ensure you and your baby are well. We also offer other services such as free antenatal classes and acupuncture.
You may also be admitted to the antenatal (Murray) ward or referred to the Murray Assessment Unit for additional support.
If you are concerned about your pregnancy, please contact the early pregnancy unit if you are under 18 weeks, or the maternity triage.
Specialist services
Our experienced obstetric consultants and specialised midwives provide excellent care for women with complicated pregnancies.
Our specialist antenatal clinics include:
Our specialist antenatal clinics include:
- FGM service
- Antenatal diabetes clinic
- Fetal medicine service
- Maternal medicine service
- Safeguarding
- Twin clinic
- Vaginal birth after caesarean section
- Obstetrics, weight and nutrition
Interpreting service
Many of our women and birthing people are from diverse ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds. Our team reflects the diversity of the local community. We have interpreting services available for all those who need them.
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Service
The Pelvic Health Physiotherapy team work closely with the midwives to identify and provide specialist care for women experiencing or at risk of obstetric related conditions. This includes conditions affecting your bladder, bowel or vagina, and conditions which cause pain in your muscles or bones. Please speak to your midwife to arrange a referral.
Vaccinations
We welcome and recommend all our pregnant service users to keep up to date with their vaccinations, and to vaccinate their babies.
Vaccinations are an important to protect yourself and protect your baby. At Whittington Health, we will offer the whooping cough vaccination from 16 weeks, and will offer the COVID-19 and flu vaccination when appropriate.
For more information on vaccinations, please contact your Midwife.
Helpful Resources
- Kicks Count is a charity that provide information and support about your baby's movements. They have a range of leaflets that have been translated into different languages to download.
- Tommy’s Pregnancy Hub has information about pregnancy, including baby movements and when you should seek help.
- You will also be tested for carbon monoxide in your breath during pregnancy. Please see this leaflet to find out more.
- For support on smoking during pregnancy, please visit the NHS page
- Action on Pre-Eclampsia (APEC) have translated their 'Essential Pregnancy Information' and 'Postnatal recovery from pre-eclampsia' into different languages.
- Please click here to view all our patient information leaflets.
Last updated08 Nov 2023