During Pregnancy
It’s important that you feel comfortable and are well-informed throughout your pregnancy. Having the right information helps you stay healthy and prepared for birth. Here’s some helpful guidance to support you every step of the way.
Pregnancy can stir many feelings, whether it’s planned or not. You, your partner, and your family might feel happy, excited, worried, or unsure. We aim to support you and create a space for you to share your thoughts without judgement.
It’s crucial to register with your maternity team early. This helps you:
Plan your care
Learn about your options
Decide on the support you might need
Get the information for a healthy pregnancy.
You don't need to inform a GP about your pregnancy unless you’re on medication or have a long-term health issue. If you’re registered with a GP, they’ll be notified after your first midwife appointment.
If you live in Shropshire or Telford and Wrekin, you can self-refer to the maternity team using the BadgerNet system.
Alternatively you can call 01743 261085 to register
All of your choices and information will stay confidential — even if you’re under 16.
Below we have included some useful information that we hope will help you during your pregnancy journey.
What should you do when you find out you are pregnant?
NSPCC Parenting Guide
Having a baby can be an amazing and joyful time. At the same time, it might feel overwhelming and perhaps even scary – especially if the news that you are having a baby came as a surprise.
It can also be a confusing time, with contradictory advice from family members, friends and online. Over the coming weeks and months there will be many changes, not only for you but for your body and the baby growing inside you. The biggest change will be meeting and learning to care for your new baby. We know that needing to learn so much at once can cause extra stress, so we’ve teamed up with the NSPCC who have collated all the best advice in this helpful guide, to help make this time easier.
Click here to download your NSPCC guide for expectant parents.
Healthy Pregnancy
Having a healthy pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. Looking after your health during this time helps your baby grow and develop well, and it can also make you feel better throughout your pregnancy. Simple things like eating well, staying active, and going to regular check-ups can make a big difference. You’re not alone on this journey—there’s lots of support available to help you along the way. See below for some helpful information.
Exercise and Healthy Eating
Smoking and Alcohol
Local Services
Maternal Mental Health
Many people expect to feel happy and excited during pregnancy and after having a baby. But it doesn’t always happen that way. It’s normal to have many different emotions during this time. While it can be joyful, it can also be stressful. The changes to your body, hormones, emotions, relationships, and lifestyle can sometimes affect your mental health.
In fact, more than 1 in 4 mothers and 1 in 10 fathers experience symptoms of depression or anxiety during this time. Therefore there is nothing to feel ashamed of. The important thing is to access our local Perinatal Mental Health Services:
The Shropshire Community Perinatal Mental Health Team (PMHT)
If you need support during pregnancy or up to a year after your baby is born, the PMHT is here for you. They help women who are experiencing mental health difficulties, as well as those at risk of developing them.
You may be referred to this service if you're experiencing, or at risk of, anxiety, depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or postnatal illness.
PMHT can offer:
Specialist mental health care
Emotional support
Treatments that are proven to help
Support to build confidence and enjoy parenthood
To be referred, speak to your midwife, GP, health visitor, or another healthcare professional.
The Maternal Mental Health Service - The Lighthouse Service
If you’re struggling during or after pregnancy due to birth trauma, loss, or fear of childbirth, the Lighthouse Team can help.
They offer specialist mental health support for women and birthing people in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, plus support for partners and families. They also provide help before pregnancy if past experiences or worries affect your mental health.
Support includes:
Talking therapies for trauma, loss, anxiety, and more
Specialist midwife input alongside your maternity care
Peer support from someone with lived experience
To be referred, speak to your midwife, GP, health visitor, or another healthcare professional.
Birth Reflections Service - Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals
If you’ve given birth in the last six weeks or more and want to talk through your maternity experience, the Birth Reflections Service can help.
A specially trained midwife will meet with you and explore your previous maternity experience/s using available hospital notes and records. The session aims to help you understand what happened and answer any questions you may have.
If you need further support after the session, the team can refer you to other services and help plan any future care.
Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate
The Maternity and Neonatal Independent Senior Advocate (MNISA) service in Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin offers support to women, birthing people, and families after a distressing experience in maternity or neonatal care.
Advocate: Liane Powell
Liane can offer support if you have experienced:
The loss of your baby before or during labour after 24 weeks of pregnancy (stillbirth)
The loss of your baby within the first 28 days of life
The loss of the person who gave birth
An unexpected hysterectomy (removal of the womb) within 6 weeks of giving birth
An unexpected stay in Intensive Care or High Dependency Care after giving birth
Being told your baby may have, or has, a brain injury
Support is available whether the event happened recently or in the past, and you do not need to be certain something went wrong to seek help. Liane ensures your concerns are heard by the hospital or care provider, and you can stop using the service at any time. The service is free - you do not have to pay for the support. It can be arranged for an interpreter to support if needed.
Call or text: 07818 016383, Email: stw.mnisa@nhs.net
Pregnancy Screening
During your pregnancy, the NHS provides free screening tests. These check for health conditions that might affect you or your baby. The tests provide helpful information. They guide decisions about care or treatment before and after your baby is born.
What screening tests do:
They look for signs that you or your baby may be at a higher risk of health issues.
They allow for earlier support, treatment, or planning.
Types of screening offered:
Ultrasound scans – can detect conditions like spina bifida.
Blood tests can check for inherited conditions like sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia. They also test for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis.
Combined blood tests and scans can estimate the risk of conditions like Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome, or Patau’s syndrome.
These tests are your choice. No matter what you choose, your healthcare team is here to help and answer your questions.
The following information will explain the screening you will receive and what to expect.
Newborn Screening
Soon after birth, your baby will undergo simple tests to check for rare health conditions. These tests usually include a small blood test and a gentle hearing check. Some conditions may not show signs right away, but they can lead to serious issues if untreated. Newborn screening helps find these conditions early, allowing your baby to get the right care quickly and avoid complications later.
Common tests
Blood spot test – A quick heel prick collects a few drops of blood, usually when your baby is 5 days old, to check for various rare genetic and metabolic conditions.
Hearing test – This checks how your baby’s ears and brain respond to sound, typically done in the first few weeks.
Heart screening – In some areas of the UK, a simple test may check for certain heart problems present at birth.
All babies in the UK are offered newborn screening. While screening is strongly recommended, it’s your choice as a parent. You can talk to your midwife or doctor if you have questions or concerns.
The following information will explain more about the screening you will receive and what to expect.
Your Local LMNS
Local Maternity and Neonatal Systems (LMNS) were created following NHS England’s Better Births report to deliver safer, more personalised, and joined-up maternity care.
Before Pregnancy
It's important to have safe and reliable information to help you feel at ease as you get ready for a healthy pregnancy. Here’s some useful details to help you as your pregnancy journey begins.
After Pregnancy
It’s important to have safe and reliable information to help you feel confident as you adjust to life after birth. Here’s some useful advice and guidance to support you and your baby in the early days and beyond.