Your antenatal care
Antenatal care is the care that our women and birthing people receive during pregnancy. Antenatal care includes regular check-ups with your midwife, as well as tests and screenings to monitor the health of you and your baby. As you embark on your pregnancy journey, regular antenatal care is important for your wellbeing and your baby's health.
Partners are welcome at your scan appointments and general checkups at Basildon, Broomfield, and Southend hospitals, but waiting procedures may differ. Young children are not recommended unless in exceptional circumstances; bring them in a stroller or buggy during the scan.
Note: As part of your antenatal care, you will be asked to create a personalised care and support plan (PCSP). This plan will outline your preferences for your pregnancy, labour and birth, as well as your healthcare needs. Please click on the 'Personalised Care plan' section below to access your personal care plan, which you may want to have ready for your first (and subsequent) midwife appointment.
Navigating antenatal care
Want to learn more about antenatal care and staying healthy during pregnancy? Check out the following resources:
- Antenatal checks and tests: Antenatal checks and tests - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Screening tests for you and your baby: Screening tests for you and your baby (STFYAYB) - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Vaccinations in pregnancy: Vaccinations in pregnancy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Smoking and pregnancy: Smoking and pregnancy | RCOG
- Baby movements in pregnancy: Your Baby's Movements: When Does a Baby Start Kicking? | Tommy's (tommys.org)
- Gestational diabetes: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gestational-diabetes
- Pre-eclampsia: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-eclampsia/
- Obstetric cholestasis: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/complications/itching-and-intrahepatic-cholestasis/
- Reducing the risk of venous thrombosis in pregnancy and after birth: Reducing the risk of venous thrombosis in pregnancy and after birth | RCOG
- Alcohol in pregnancy: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/drinking-alcohol-while-pregnant/
- Mental health problems and pregnancy: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/mental-health/
- Exercise in pregnancy: Exercise in pregnancy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in pregnancy and newborn babies: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in pregnancy and newborn babies | RCOG
- Hand expression: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/breastfeeding-resources/hand-expression-video/
Personalised care plan
Download the Personalised Care and Support Plan Birth.
Early pregnancy unit
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Join our classes!
Basildon Hospital
- Birthing Information Classes: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birthing-information-class-basildon-hospital-tickets-779937573277?aff=oddtdtcreator
- Gestational Diabetes Information session: Email email mse.gdm.service@nhs.net to register your interest. Please include your name, your date of birth, your hospital number and your contact number.
- Infant Feeding Classes: TBC
Broomfield Hospital
- Virtual infant feeding class: every Tuesday, from 10am to 11.30am. For more information please call us on 0300 247 0014.
Southend Hospital
- Infant Feeding and Relationship Building Workshop: Education Centre, 12pm to 4pm. The next workshops is on Saturday, December 16th. To book, please message or call 07385391787.
- Midwife Led Antenatal/Postnatal Parent Class. To book, please contact us.
- Postnatal Infant Feeding Support group is held every Monday except Bank Holidays from 12pm to 3pm at Labyrinth House. This is a drop-in session, so you can just come along.
- Midwife Run Hypnobirthing Classes with Infant Feeding. To book, please contact us.
Willian Julien Courtauld (WJC) Birthing unit
On Saturdays between 9am and 4pm for women and birthing people at/past 36 weeks.
If you would like to book your spot, please speak to your midwife.
Contact details
Basildon Hospital
Address: Nether Mayne, Basildon SS16 5NL.
Contact numbers:
- Main switchboard - call 01268 524900.
- Community’s Secretary Service- call 01268 394599, between Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 4.00pm.
- Antenatal Clinic Appointments- call 01268 394600, between Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.00pm.
- Ultrasound- call 03004430125, option 2, between Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm.
- Mulberry Assessment Centre- call 01268 394718
- Parentcraft- call 01268 524900 and use the extention number 8925 to speak to one of our team members.
- Specialist Midwife Infant Feeding- call 01268 54900 and use the extention number 8830 to speak to one of our infant feeding specialists.
Broomfield Hospital
Address: Court Road, Broomfield, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 7ET.
Contact numbers:
- Antenatal clinic - call 01245 5132893006 or extension 3006, between Monday to Friday, from 8.00am to 4.00pm.
- Ultrasound- call 03004430125, option 1, between Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm.
- Triage/Day assessment unit, open 24/7- call 01245 515134 or 01245 513355 or 01245 513168.
- Community midwives - call 01245 513040, between Monday to Friday, from 8.00am to 4.00pm.
Southend Hospital
Address: Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea, Westcliff-on-Sea SS0 0RY.
General contact number: 01702 435555
Contact numbers:
- Women’s clinic -call 01702 435555 and then use the extention number 5515, between Monday to Friday, from 8.00am to 4.00pm.
- Ultrasound- call 03004430125, option 3, between Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 6.00pm.
- Fetal medicine unit - call 01702 435555 and then use the extention number 5693,between Monday to Friday, from 8.00am to 4.00pm.
- Community - call 01702 435555 and then use the extention number 5487, between Monday to Friday, from 8.00am to 4.00pm.
- Antenatal screening midwives - call 01702 435555 and then use the extention number 5160, between Monday to Friday, from 8.00am to 5.00pm.
- Margaret broom1 (antenatal clinic) - call 01702 435555 and then use the extention number 5301.The service is available 24/7 to offer support and advice.
St Peter's Hospital
Address: Spital Rd, Maldon CM9 6EG
Contact numbers:
- Day assessment unit- call 01621 725305 or 01621 725306, between Monday to Sunday, 8.00am to 4.00pm.
- Appointments- call 01621 725368, between Monday-Friday, 08.00am to 4.00pm.
William Julien Courtauld birthing unit
Address: Rayne Road, St Michael's Health Centre, Braintree, CM7 2QU
Contact numbers:
- Birthing unit or community, open 24/7- call 01376 555943, or extension 2943/2321.
- Appointments- call 01376 555945 or use the extension 2945, between Monday to Friday, from 8.30am to 12:30pm.
- Booking appointments- call 01376 555950 or use the extension 2950, between Monday to Friday, from 8.00am to 4.00pm.
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Mid and South Essex Gynaecology, Maternity and Paediatrics services.