Pregnancy: Ante and Post Natal
Pregnancy is a journey marked by two distinct phases: Ante-natal (before birth) and Post-natal (after birth). Both stages require specialised care, guidance, and support to ensure the health and well-being of both the expectant mother and the new baby.
Through the NHS website you can find out about many aspects of pregnancy, including; getting pregnant and what to do if you’re having issues conceiving, a guide to being pregnant and when pregnancy goes wrong, labour and birth, new mums and mums’ wellbeing, newborns, babies and toddlers. To find out more visit the NHS website.
This page aims to help you get started during your Antenatal and Postnatal journeys.
Antenatal
Am I pregnant? What to do if I find out I am?
If you think you might be pregnant but are unsure of the signs and symptoms and how to check, click here to find out more. You can also find out more on finding our you’re pregnant, what to do next and how to discuss your options here.
Pregnancy options
If you are pregnant you have three basic choices:
CHOICE A: go through with the pregnancy and become a parent.
CHOICE B: go through with the pregnancy and place the baby for adoption.
CHOICE C: end the pregnancy by having an abortion.
Click here to find out more from Brook for more information on these options. Click here to find out about support from Sunderland Sexual Health Services.Â
Antenatal in Sunderland and South Tyneside
Across Sunderland and South Tyneside, South Tyneside and Sunderland NSH Foundation Trust offer a range of help and support for you before your baby is born. From your first appointment, care during pregnancy, screening tests and ultrasound.
Postnatal
Being a new parent means facing new challenges. When your baby arrives, you can find advice on baby care through through the NHS website to help you understand new tasks such as; feeding your baby, changing nappies, washing your baby.
There is also a wealth of information to help you understand:
- how to cope with a crying baby and settling your baby into a good sleep routine
- possible changes to your body after pregnancy and your relationships after a baby, and the symptoms of postnatal depression
- feeding twins and multiples and sleep issues with twins and multiples
Click here to find out more from the NHS about the time after your baby is born.
When pregnancy goes wrong
Sadly, sometimes pregnancy can go wrong. You may have a miscarriage, an ectopic pregnancy, birth trauma or the death of the baby. If your pregnancy ends in this way, you will need both information and support. Talk to the people close to you about how you feel, and to your midwife, doctor or health visitor about what’s happened and why. Click here to find out more from the NHS.Â
There are lots of organisations offering information and support, including The Lullaby Trust, Bliss, Miscarriage Association and The Birth Trauma Association.