Useful information and resources
Staying up to date during the COVID-19 outbreak
We understand that when you are pregnant you are likely to have lots of questions about the services we offer, and even more so at the moment. You may like to follow us on Facebook (Southampton maternity services), Twitter or Instagram to keep up date.
We also have Facebook pages for Broadlands Birth Centre and the labour ward at the Princess Anne Hospital, and the New Forest Birth Centre.
Information about Covid-19
- NHS: Pregnancy and coronavirus
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: Coronavirus infection and pregnancy
- Combined info sheet and decision aid 23.02.2021 (rcog.org.uk)
- Public Health England: Isolating at home with suspected coronavirus
- NHS: Looking after yourself at home if you have coronavirus
Specific guidance for pregnant people from Black, Asian or minority ethnic communities
As a pregnant person from a Black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background, you may feel worried about coronavirus. Your local maternity team is still here to help you, so contact them as you would normally. They will be working together with you and providing you with extra support during this unprecedented time.
Some studies suggest that BAME pregnant people are more likely to be admitted to hospital with coronavirus than white people, so maternity services have been asked to take extra precautions to keep you safe, which includes prioritising your care and access to services.
It is also important that you take extra steps to protect yourself and follow the advice about how to avoid getting coronavirus. If you think you have coronavirus then alert your maternity team and they will advise you about what to do next.
Remember to attend all your antenatal appointments and seek help early from your midwife or maternity team if you have any concerns about your health or your baby’s health. Get help early so you have the best chance of recovery.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest coronavirus pregnancy and birth advice at www.nhs.uk/pregnancy-and-coronavirus, which has links to helpful resources; including a range of topical videos and leaflets and an animation. Alternatively contact NHS111 or in an emergency dial 999.
Follow this link to download this information in Arabic, Bengali, Hindi, Persian, Punjabi and Urdu.
Screening tests
Please spend some time reading about the screening tests you'll be offered, designed to try to find any health problems that could affect you or your baby.
You don't have to have any of the tests - it's your choice. However, it's important to understand the purpose of all tests so you can make an informed decision about whether to have them.
Scans and screening tests during COVID-19
Attending antenatal scans and screening tests when you are pregnant is essential to ensure the wellbeing of you and your baby. If you are well, you should attend your antenatal scan or screening test as normal. If you have tested positive or have symptoms of COVID-19, please call the ultrasound department to discuss this. When coming to all locations, you may bring one person for support who is well and symptom free from COVID-19.
Useful information
- NHS: Your pregnancy to-do list
- Maternity and parent information
- Healthier Together
- Healthier Together: Where to have your baby
- Baby Buddy app
- Tommy's website
- Vaccinations in pregnancy
- The DadPad - a guide for new dads to give you the knowledge and practical skills you need, developed with the NHS. Also available as an app. We also have some wipe-clean hard copies of the DadPad available - ask your midwife if you would like one.
Vaccinations in pregnancy
There are two vaccinations that we strongly urge you to have during pregnancy - flu (influenza) and whooping cough (pertussis). This is to protect your baby as well as yourself. It's important to find out about these vaccines so that you can make a fully informed decision about having them.
You can have the vaccines at the Princess Anne Hospital. Please find more information and details about the service here.
Healthy living
Smoking
Stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do for your own health and the health of your baby. We can help and support you to do this and will discuss this with you at your booking appointment.
Alcohol
The best thing you can do for your baby is to not drink alcohol whilst you are pregnant.