Having a Baby

• Just found out that you are pregnant?
• Your health during pregnancy
• Pregnancy complications
• Antenatal Care
• The Birth
• Caesarean Section
• Breastfeeding
• Pregnancy and work
• Blackbrook Maternity Unit - Fareham

Just found out that you are pregnant?

Your first step should be to contact your GP. Your GP can confirm your pregnancy, give you advice and support and arrange your antenatal care. If you do not have a GP you should register with one immediately - for a list of GPs in your area and local services please contact www.nhs.uk (this is an external hyperlink)

Your health during pregnancy

In the months before your baby is born, you may want to get the best advice on staying healthy during your pregnancy. Visit www.bbc.co.uk/health/parenting (this is an external hyperlink) to find out more details on becoming a parent, including advice about vitamins and supplements; healthy eating; pregnancy and weight; smoking during pregnancy; drinking alcohol, pills, medicine and other drugs; fitness; and dealing with emotions.

Pregnancy complications

You should be able to speak to your GP or midwife at any time, but if you think something may be seriously wrong, contact them or your local hospital immediately for advice and help. NHS Direct (this is an external hyperlink) offers general information and details of publications about pregnancy complications including ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and stillbirth. The Miscarriage Association also provides support and information for those suffering the effects of pregnancy loss.

Antenatal Care

Antenatal classes can provide you with the best advice on parenting and bring you together with other parents getting ready to have a baby. Classes are also organised in hospitals and by other groups such as the National Childbirth Trust. If you have booked a hospital birth, you may be able to go to NHS antenatal classes at your local clinic. You may also be able to do these if you have booked a home birth with NHS midwives. NHS antenatal classes are taught by midwives who are very knowledgeable about labour and birth, and also the hospital's policies and procedures. Classes will include information about what labour is like, pain relief, interventions and caesarean birth. You will also learn about the skills you need as a parent, such as how to bath a baby and changing nappies. If you wish to go to NHS antenatal classes please contact your midwife.

Blackbrook Maternity Unit - Fareham

Fareham's Maternity Unit is Blackbrook Maternity Unit at 31, Blackbrook House Drive, Fareham. PO14 1PA. The telephone number is 01329 232275.

Exercise during pregnancy

These classes combine exercise with relaxation techniques. If you are looking for safe exercise to take part in during pregnancy, please contact Fareham Leisure Centre (this is an external hyperlink) Tel 01329 233652 for more details.

The Birth

If you choose a hospital birth visit www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk (this is an external hyperlink) to explain what you can expect during labour, how you might deal with it and what will happen during childbirth. A hospital birth is described, but this section will also be useful if you are having a home birth. It may help to have someone present during your labour and this information should also be useful to them. If you are a teenager and want extra help and advice during your pregnancy visit www.surestart.gov.uk (this is an external hyperlink)

Caesarean Section

Babies born by caesarean (c-section) come out through incisions in your uterus and abdomen. Some women choose to give birth this way; other women know it's a strong possibility; other women expect to give birth vaginally, and the caesarean takes place after they have gone into labour. If you choose to have a caesarean it's called an 'elective' caesarean. One that takes place after you have already gone into labour is called an emergency caesarean.

 

Reasons for caesarean section include:

• your baby's head is too large to fit through your pelvis
• the shape or size of your pelvis makes it more difficult for a vaginal birth
• the placenta lies low in the uterus (this condition is called placenta praevia) and blocks your baby's way out
• if you have twins or triplets (one of whom may be lying in a difficult position)
• if your baby is lying in a position across the uterus, or is breech (lying bottom or feet first)
• (after labour begins) if your baby is distressed (suffering from a lack of oxygen) and isn't far enough down the birth canal for forceps or ventouse to be used.
• if you have eclampsia or severe pre-eclampsia
• if you are ill, have high blood pressure, or (in labour) are becoming exhausted.

How it's done

You will be given an anaesthetic (if you haven't had one already). The anaesthetic used is almost always given via an epidural, which allows you to stay awake without feeling the operation. Occasionally, a general anaesthetic is used. You'll be in the operating theatre and lying down. You can usually have someone with you if you are conscious. Neither you nor your companion will see any of the 'action' as there is normally a small screen placed over your abdomen, and the doctor works behind this. The surgeon makes an incision in your abdomen, just above your pubic hairline, and then cuts through the uterus. The baby is then helped out. You might feel quite a bit of tugging and pulling when this happens.

 

When the baby comes out, the cord is clamped and cut and you can hold him/her if everything's ok. The placenta and the membranes are brought out, and you will be stitched up. The whole thing takes about 45 minutes.

After your caesarean

It's normal to feel very tired for a few days and possibly in some pain, just as you are with any abdominal operation. Recovery after a section can take longer than a vaginal birth. Some women are uncomfortable for a while after their caesarean. There may be complications such as infection (which is why you will usually be advised to take antibiotics after your section, to try to prevent this).

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is usually recommended because:

• it's the healthiest option for mother and baby - easier to digest, less likelyhood of stomach bugs
• it's normal, it's natural - you can breastfeed anytime, any place, anywhere.
• breast milk provides complete nutrition for the first six months of life.
• every extra week of breastfeeding makes a difference
• breastfeeding is the best feeding choice for babies

Pregnancy and work

Maternity Leave

All employees are entitled to 18 weeks ordinary maternity leave whether or not they qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance. In addition, employees who have worked for the same employer for at least one year before the 11th week before their baby is due, are entitled to additional maternity leave which lasts for 29 weeks from the start of the week in which the baby is born.

 

During pregnancy women are allowed reasonable paid time off work for antenatal care. For further information see the Department of Trade & Industry's information leaflets, Changes to Maternity Rights and URN99/1191 Maternity Rights: a guide for employees and their employers. Alternatively, you can visit the Department of Trade & Industry's website at www.dti.gov.uk (this is an external hyperlink) Both these leaflets are also available from your local Jobcentre.

Parental Leave

Employees whose child is born or adopted on or after 15th December 1999 and who have worked for the same employer for at least one year, are entitled to 13 weeks parental leave to care for the child.

 

You may be able to get Income Support when on unpaid statutory parental leave if you are:

• sick or disabled
• a lone parent
• on a low income

and when you were working you were getting any of the following:

• Working Families' Tax Credit
• Disabled Person's Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit

All employees also have the right to take time off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependant. This right is not affected by the length of employment.  Details are covered in leaflets URN99/1187 and URN99/1192 available from your local Jobcentre.