Community & FAQ

To qualify for SMP, you must earn on average at least £123 a week, give the correct notice, provide proof you're pregnant, and have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks continuing into the 'qualifying week' (the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth).

NHS maternity care is free at the point of use and provides comprehensive care throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postnatal period. Private midwifery care involves paying a fee for a dedicated midwife or team who provide personalised care, often with longer appointments and continuity of carer. You can choose to have private care alongside NHS care.

The 12-week scan (dating scan) usually takes place between 10 and 14 weeks. The sonographer will check your baby's heartbeat, measure them to estimate your due date, check for multiple pregnancies, and check the baby's development. You will also be offered the combined screening test for Down's, Edwards', and Patau's syndromes.

Early signs of labour can include a 'show' (when the plug of mucus from your cervix comes away), your waters breaking, lower backache, and regular contractions that become stronger, longer, and closer together. If you think you're in labour, contact your maternity unit or midwife for advice.

PGP is a collection of uncomfortable symptoms caused by a stiffness of your pelvic joints or the joints moving unevenly at either the back or front of your pelvis. It's common in pregnancy. Treatment often involves physiotherapy, exercises, advice on moving safely, and sometimes a pelvic support belt. Speak to your midwife or GP for a referral.

Eligible employees can take up to 52 weeks of Statutory Maternity Leave. The first 26 weeks is known as 'Ordinary Maternity Leave', and the last 26 weeks as 'Additional Maternity Leave'. You don't have to take 52 weeks, but you must take at least 2 weeks' leave after your baby is born (or 4 weeks if you work in a factory).

You can usually refer yourself directly to your local maternity service without seeing a GP first. Look on your local hospital's website for a 'maternity self-referral' form. Alternatively, you can make an appointment with your GP, who will inform the local midwifery team.

Essentials include your maternity notes, comfortable clothing for labour and afterwards, nursing bras, breast pads, maternity pads, toiletries, clothes and nappies for the baby, and a car seat for the journey home. It's a good idea to have your bag packed by around 36 weeks.

Yes, in most cases, it's safe and beneficial to exercise during pregnancy. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity every week. Avoid contact sports, scuba diving, and activities with a high risk of falling. Always listen to your body and consult your midwife if you're unsure.

The NHS advises avoiding certain foods to reduce the risk of infections like listeria and salmonella. These include unpasteurised milk and cheese, mould-ripened soft cheeses (unless cooked until steaming hot), raw or undercooked meat, liver, raw shellfish, and certain types of fish (like shark, swordfish, and marlin). Limit caffeine intake to 200mg a day.

A birth plan is a record of what you would like to happen during your labour and after the birth. It's not compulsory, but it's a good way to communicate your preferences to your midwives and doctors. It can include your choices for pain relief, birthing positions, and who you want with you. Remember that it's a plan, and things may change on the day.