Maternity services
This page offers a list of support and information services to help during pregnancy and the first few months after birth.
What services are involved in maternity care?
- GP – See a GP as soon as you find out that you are pregnant. This is so they can book your pregnancy (antenatal) care and make sure you get all the information and support you need to have a healthy pregnancy. Your first appointment with a midwife should happen before you’re 10 weeks pregnant.
- Midwife – Midwives provide care and support to women and their families while pregnant, throughout labour, and during the period after a baby’s birth.
- Obstetrician – is a doctor who specializes in pregnancy, childbirth, and a woman’s reproductive system. Although other doctors can deliver babies, many women see an obstetrician, also called an OB/GYN.
- Anaesthetist – Anaesthetists are specialist doctors who are responsible for providing anaesthesia to patients for operations and procedures. You may choose to see an anaesthetist during labour.
- Health visitor – Health Visitors are specialist community public health nurses, registered midwives or nurses who visit the family once mother and baby are discharged from the midwife’s care. Health Visitors offer reviews, often at home or at a health centre, to observe your baby’s development. This continues up until your child is 2 years old.
Where will I have my antenatal appointments?
Your appointments can take place at:
- your home
- a Children’s Centre
- a GP surgery
- a hospital
Maternity Services Departments
There are links below for the delivery suite, birthing unit, referrals and other services at each of Norfolk’s hospitals.
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
Norfolk Health Visitors
Just One Norfolk runs the health visitor service. On their website you can get immediate advice and information on home visits, your child’s development, yours and your child’s emotional health, behaviour, sleep and more.
Pay and leave
What are you entitled to receive in pay and leave, and what are your rights? The links below can help.
Kingfisher Mother and Baby Unit
The Kingfisher Unit is a mental health ward for mothers and babies with a staff of mental health staff, nursery nurses and peer support workers.
Mental health support for partners
Mind has put together some advice and information to support partners after a baby is born.
Birth Reflections at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
A confidential service run by midwives which gives you the support and opportunity to discuss and understand what happened during the birth of your baby. One-to-one sessions currently run on a Saturday.
01603 287334.
Just One Norfolk
Online support directory for all things pregnancy, babies, children and families. Including childhood illnesses, development, healthy lifestyles, and other support.
The Miscarriage Association
The Miscarriage Association is a small charity with a mission to ensure that everyone who experiences the loss of a baby in pregnancy receives the support and information they need.
They:
- offer support and information to anyone affected by the loss of their baby in pregnancy
- raise awareness of miscarriage
- promote good practice in medical care through the provision of in-house training, consultancy and support
Norfolk Sands
This local Sands group of volunteers have all been affected by the loss of babies. They provide support to parents, grandparents and friends who have experienced loss through stillbirth or neonatal death. Norfolk Sands is one of a UK wide Network of Sands Groups. They offer email support as well as our monthly support meetings.
Norwich Mumbler
Online Mums blog with it’s own directory of local classes, antenatal fitness and health support, private midwifes and doulas, spas and pamper packages – plus extra information on local family activities and support too.
IVF information
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is one of several techniques available to help people with fertility problems have a baby. During IVF, an egg is removed from the woman’s ovaries and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilised egg, called an embryo, is then returned to the woman’s womb to grow and develop.
