South Tees Maternity Services
Congratulations on your pregnancy! If you have not yet accessed maternity care, please contact your GP as soon as possible to arrange your first appointment with the midwife (booking appointment). It is important that you have your first appointment before 9 weeks and 6 days if possible, or as early as possible after finding out you are pregnant. This is so you don’t miss out on important care and so you are able to access all screening tests and scans if you wish.
We advise all women start a supplement of folic acid as soon as possible after finding out you are pregnant, if you weren’t already taking it. You can get free Healthy Start vitamins from the Family Hubs which contain folic acid, with vitamin C and D which we often struggle to get enough of from our diet.
It is also helpful for you to complete this self-referal to be able to access your electronic maternity notes before your first appointment – we use a system Badger Net.
At your booking appointment, the midwife will ask lots of questions about you, your health and your family to make sure you have access to suitable care during your pregnancy. The maternity team includes lots of different professionals who will care for you during your pregnancy. All pregnant women will have an allocated community midwife who will provide most of your care during your pregnancy and at home after the birth. Depending on your individual needs, you may not also be cared for by a consultant/specialist midwives.
You’ll be offered regular appointments during your pregnancy to:
- Monitor your health and the growth and development of your baby
- Provide you with important information to keep yourself and your baby healthy and safe
- Discuss your options for care during pregnancy, labour and birth and make a plan with you that reflects your choices and what’s important to you
- Ensure any problems are detected early to reduce the risk of serious complications developing
The Maternity Triage line is available 24/7 if you have any urgent concerns during your pregnancy or up to 42 days after your baby’s birth – 01642 854206.
It’s natural to have lots of questions about you and your baby’s health if you’re welcoming a new bundle of joy into the family.
Middlesbrough’s 0-5 Healthier Together Service protects and promotes the health and wellbeing of children under five.
The team consists of Health Visitors, Healthy Child Nurses, Family Practitioners, Early Years Practitioners, and Infant Feeding Specialists. This NHS team delivers expert health assessments, advice, and support for babies, children, and families.
Healthy Child Programme
The Healthy Child Programme is part of 0-5 Healthier Together Service and includes:
- screening tests
- immunisations
- developmental reviews
The programme provides new parents with essential information and guidance to help them make healthy lifestyle choices.
Here’s some key dates when you can expect contact:
- Antenatal contact – usually after 28 weeks in pregnancy. This visit provides an opportunity for building a relationship with you and your family before the baby arrives. The team will discuss health and wellbeing to prepare you for parenthood.
- New birth visit at 10 to 14 days. The aim is to support and develop skills and confidence in new parents by sharing information on family and child health issues. At this appointment you can discuss maternal and family health and wellbeing.
- Contact at 6-8 weeks, carried out by a Health Visitor or Healthy Child Nurse. They will review baby’s development growth and feeding. You’ll also have another opportunity to discuss maternal and family health and wellbeing.
- In addition, the service offers a 12 to 16 weeks contact, carried out by Health Visitors or Healthy Child Nurses. They will discuss how to introduce your child to solid food.
- One year old and two years old. A child health review and a development assessment to measure your child’s milestones.
For further information, visit the Growing Healthy website.
