Support during and after pregnancy
It’s important you feel comfortable and you have all the right information you need for a healthy pregnancy, safe labour and support afterwards. Below we have included some useful information that we hope will help you during your pregnancy journey and beyond.
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 sites.
Local Services
Exercise in Pregnancy
Smoking and Alcohol
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 offers free screening tests to check for certain health conditions that could affect you or your baby. These tests can give you helpful information and guide decisions about any further care or treatment before or after your baby is born.
What screening tests do
Look for signs that you or your baby might be at higher risk of certain health conditions.
Give the opportunity for earlier support, treatment, or planning.
Types of screening offered
Ultrasound scans – can spot some conditions, such as spina bifida.
Blood tests – can check for higher chances of certain inherited conditions (like sickle cell anaemia or thalassaemia) and for some infections (such as HIV, hepatitis B, or syphilis).
Combined blood tests and scans – can estimate the chance of conditions such as Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome, or Patau’s syndrome.
These tests are your choice. Whatever you decide, your healthcare team is there to support you and answer your questions.
The following information will tell you more about the screening that you will receive and what to expect.
Newborn Screening
Soon after birth, your baby will be offered a set of simple tests to check for certain rare health conditions. These usually include a small blood test and a gentle hearing check. Some conditions don’t show signs straight away, but can cause serious problems if not treated early. Newborn screening helps find these conditions sooner, so your baby can get the right care quickly and avoid complications later in life.
Common tests
Blood spot test – A quick heel prick to collect a few drops of blood, usually around day 5, to check for a range of rare genetic and metabolic conditions.
Hearing test – Checks how your baby’s ears and brain respond to sound. This is usually done in the first few weeks.
Heart screening – In some areas, a simple test may be offered to look for certain heart problems present from birth.
All babies in the UK are offered newborn screening. Screening is strongly recommended, but it’s your decision as a parent. You can speak to your midwife or doctor if you have questions or concerns.
The following information will tell you more about the screening that you will receive and what to expect.
Strategies and Policies
Local Maternity and Neonatal Systems (LMNS) have been set up nationally in response to NHS England’s ‘Better Births’ report which sets out a vision for safer, more personalised maternity care that reflects women’s choices and offers continuing joined-up care.
Who we are
Your Local Maternity & Neonatal System (LMNS) team ensures everyone is working in collaboration to improve Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin’s Maternity Services and support people who are on or beginning their pregnancy and newborn journey.
Are you pregnant?
Whether planned or unplanned, pregnancy can bring on a range of emotions for you, your partner and your family.