Pregnancy and Maternity
Pregnancy Testing
Pregnancy testing kits can be bought at pharmacies and supermarkets or can be done for free at a Sexual Health Clinic. GP surgeries do not offer a pregnancy testing service.
Antenatal Care
Postnatal Care
Health Visitors
Manchester Health Visiting Service offers comprehensive advice and support to parents and carers of children from pre-birth to four and a half years. A health visitor is a registered nurse or midwife with specialist additional qualifications in child, family and public health who offers a range of advice and information on feeding, parenting skills, sleeping and healthy eating and a whole lot more.
Facebook: @MFThealthvisiting
Website: www.mft.nhs.uk
Children’s Centres
There are a number of children’s centres across Manchester that offer a variety of friendly activities, events, help and support to families of children aged 0 to 5 years with advice on parenting, local childcare options and access to specialist services for families, baby massage sessions, breastfeeding support, stay and play opportunities.
When you become pregnant
When you become pregnant you will have various choices ahead of you. The earlier you seek advice the more options you have. We recommend folic acid and vitamin D supplements for the healthy development of a baby and it is sensible to meet early with midwife to discuss healthy and safe nutrition and alcohol use.
Refer yourself for maternity services If you are pregnant and want to deliver your baby at Saint Mary’s Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital, or North Manchester General Hospital, you are encouraged to refer yourself without seeing a GP or midwife.
Arrange a first contact meeting with a midwife.
Maternity services at St Mary’s Hospital
Telephone: 0161 276 6246
Maternity services at Wythenshawe Hospital
Telephone: 0161 291 2942
Refer yourself to a young person’s midwife if you will be aged under 18 years when your baby is due you can refer yourself to a young person’s midwife.
Planning your Pregnancy
If you’re planning on getting pregnant, you can improve your chances of conceiving and having a successful pregnancy. Follow these steps
ICON – infant crying and how to cope
The Manchester ICON webpage has information on infant crying, safe sleeping, the Health Visiting service and Infant feeding team.
Website: www.manchesterlco.org
Extra information: www.mft.nhs.uk
The Lullaby Trust Safer Sleep Advice
Safer sleep advice gives simple steps for how you can sleep your baby to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which is commonly known as cot death. It can give you the peace of mind to enjoy this special time.
Further information
Whatever you want to know about getting pregnant, being pregnant or caring for your new baby, you should find it here: