Pregnancy and Birth
Before you get pregnant
It is important to think about the lifestyle factors that might affect your ability to get pregnant and have a healthy pregnancy.
This applies to men too! You are more likely to achieve a pregnancy if you are both in good health.
|back to topFinding out you’re pregnant
If you are not sure whether you are pregnant or not, free pregnancy testing service is available at several sexual health clinics in Haringey. To find the nearest clinic, call 020 8442 6536. The clinic will also be able to support you if you are unhappy about being pregnant and will discuss your options with you.
|back to topEarly access to maternity services is important
As soon as you think you are pregnant, you should make an appointment to see your midwife or GP. The earlier you do this, the better. You can self-refer directly to a midwife by ringing your local antenatal clinic or by visiting the hospital website and filling in the self-referral form.
- North Middlesex Hospital (external link) - Telephone: 020 8887 4055 or 020 8887 2502
- Whittington Hospital (external link) - Telephone: 020 7288 5586 or 020 7288 5249
If you smoke, get advice about stopping
Contact the local Smokefree pregnancy programme on 0800 085 6258. The Specialist Pregnancy Adviser will support you throughout the pregnancy and beyond.
Also available is the Smokefree Pregnancy Support DVD which will show you all the free NHS support available to help you to stop and stay stopped. To order your free DVD, call the NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 9 169, or visit the NHS Smoke Free website (external link).
The NHS Pregnancy Smoking Helpline on 0800 169 9 169 is open from 12pm to 9pm every day and offers free help, support and advice on stopping smoking when you are pregnant.
|back to topA healthy diet is very important if you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
Eating healthily during pregnancy will help your baby to develop and grow and will help to keep you fit and well. You don’t need to go on a special diet, but make sure that you eat a variety of different foods every day in order to get the right balance of nutrients that you and your baby need.
- For information on eating a balanced diet and portion sizes visit the 5-a-day website (external link)
- Some foods should be avoided altogether, for more information visit the Eatwell website (external link)
- To find out more about Healthy Start vouchers look at the Healthy Start website (external link)
- Vegetarian and vegan diets should give enough nutrients. However, it may be harder to have sufficient vitamin B12 and iron. Further details can be found on the The Vegetarian Society (external link) and The Vegan Society (external link) websites.
Leaflets called 'Eating while you are pregnant' and 'Thinking of having a baby?' are available in several languages. Both are available online at the the government food website (external link) or can be ordered on 0845 606 0667.
|back to topKeeping active helps
The more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to adapt to your changing shape and weight gain. It will also help you to cope with labour and to get back in shape after the birth.
For further information see the website links for exercise and walking below.
|back to topBreastfeeding help and support
It’s never too early to start thinking about how you are going to feed your baby. Breastfeeding gives your baby the best possible start in life as it has lots of benefits for both you and your baby that last a lifetime.
Don’t be afraid to ask for the support and information you need to make breastfeeding work for you and your baby. No problem is too small.
You can get help from a peer supporter, your midwife or health visitor. You might also want to join a local breastfeeding group. See the Breastfeeding Support in Haringey leaflet (PDF, 161KB) for information on local groups - please note the Easter closures for 2013 (PDF, 77KB).
To find out what else is available in your area, talk to your midwife or health visitor, or contact the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 0300 100 0212 (lines are open from 9.30am to 9.30pm).
Further Information is available from various sources (see the links below). The Breastfeeding Network runs a Supporter line on 0300 100 0210, and also offers a helpline for speakers of Bengali/Sylheti on 0300 456 2421. Lines are open from 9.30am to 9.30pm.
The following voluntary organisations can also provide information and advice:
- La Leche League (external link)
- NCT Breastfeeding Link (external link)
- The Unicef Baby Friendly (external link) provides information and links to useful resources about the benefits of breastfeeding.
- The Breastfeeding Networks Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline (external link) can provide information about breastfeeding and medicines.
Useful External Links
The following links are not part of the Haringey Council website. Please read our legal disclaimer before using these links
