Pregnancy and birth support

Find out what to do if you think you are pregnant, how to book care, and what to expect.

View pregnancy and birth support services

If you think you are pregnant

The most common early sign is a missed period.

Other signs can include:

• morning sickness  (morning sickness)
• feeling very tired
• needing to pass urine more often
• sore or tender breasts
• changes in taste or smell

These signs can vary. Speak to a healthcare professional if you are unsure or worried.

You can get advice on the NHS pregnancy support pages

Book your first midwife appointment

In Cheshire East, you refer yourself to maternity services.

Macclesfield Hospital (pregnancy care)

• Use the Self Referral Form for Antenatal Care
  
• To change an appointment: 01625 661145 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
• Urgent advice (maternity triage): 01625 661857 (24 hours)

Leighton Hospital (pregnancy care)

• Use the Maternity Outpatients Self Referral Form for Leighton Hospital
  
• To change an appointment: 01270 612184 or 01270 273127 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)

What happens in early pregnancy

You will usually be offered 2 ultrasound scans: one between 8 and 14 weeks to confirm your due date and early development, and another between 18 and 21 weeks to check your baby’s development.

Scans can:

• check your baby is growing as expected
• estimate your due date
• show if you are having more than one baby
• check the position of your baby and placenta
• identify some health conditions

You can choose whether to have these scans.

Labour and birth

You can choose to give birth at home, in hospital or in a midwifery-led unit. Your midwife will explain your options and help you decide.

You can change your mind at any time.

Pain relief during labour

Labour affects everyone differently, and there are different ways to manage pain.

Talk to your midwife about what might work best for you and include your choices in your birth plan.

Find out about pain relief during labour on the NHS website.

When to get urgent help during pregnancy

Call your maternity unit straight away if you have:

• vaginal bleeding
• constant tummy pain
• your baby is not moving as usual
• a severe headache that does not improve
• blurred or disturbed vision
• pain under your ribs (epigastric pain)

Use the maternity triage numbers listed above.

After your baby is born

Get medical advice urgently if you:

• have heavy bleeding or pass clots
• have signs of infection (redness, swelling, pain or discharge)
• feel unwell or have a high temperature
• have pain or swelling in your legs
• feel short of breath

Or if you are worried about your baby:

• not feeding well
• very sleepy and not waking for feeds

Contact your maternity or baby care team (after birth)

Macclesfield Hospital (after your baby is born)

• Maternity ward: 01625 661148 or 01625 661155 (24 hours)
• Community midwives: 01625 661145
• Special Care Baby Unit: 01625 661147

Leighton Hospital (after your baby is born)

• Maternity ward: 01270 273116 (24 hours)
• Community midwives: 01270 273127

Support after your baby is born

You’ll be supported by a health visitor during pregnancy and after your baby is born.

They can help with your baby’s development, feeding and your wellbeing.

Find out more about health visiting in Cheshire East.

Get pregnancy advice by email

Sign up for Start for Life emails to get NHS advice tailored to your pregnancy or your child’s age.

---