Maternity and midwifery care
To receive maternity and midwifery care, you can:
- speak to your general practitioner (GP)
- self-refer your pregnancy
If you speak to your GP, they can give you advice on medical conditions and help you with any concerns you might have. Your GP can also explain how maternity care works and give you advice on other support available.
Local maternity support is available within the local NHS:
- Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust's Maternity service
- Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care System's Local Maternity and Neonatal System
There are free antenatal available to mother's and parents, for more information visit our dedicated Parenthood courses page. information is available in many languages. There is also a online antenatal course with information on preparing to give birth and welcoming and comforting your baby and support for your emotional health.
It has been produced by psychologists and midwives to help you to prepare for birth and to connect with and nurture your baby.
Other help
Startwell
Startwell's website has information and resources which you can use to support you during your pregnancy.
Maternity link support worker (LSW)
A maternity link support worker (LSW) can help you and your family explore maternity services across the local maternity and neonatal system (LMNS) to make sure that you receive the right care at the right time.
This support can be helpful if you have recently arrived in Birmingham and English is not your first language.
You can read more about the support LSWs offer.
Ask the Midwife sessions
The LMNS runs sessions that allow you to ask questions to midwives from Birmingham Women's Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, and Good Hope Hospital.
These sessions are run once a month using Zoom.
You can learn how to register for the next Ask the Midwife session.
Maternity Engagement Action
Maternity Engagement Action provides a safe space and support for black women throughout pregnancy, birth, and early motherhood.
Page last updated: 21 February 2024