What to expect

We're here to support and care for you during your pregnancy, when you're giving birth and after your baby is born.

You will see us throughout your pregnancy at different appointments. These include:

• first midwife appointment
• antenatal appointments
• specialist clinics if needed
• scan appointments at St Thomas' Hospital

Community hubs

Our care is organised into community hubs based on your home address. The same midwifery team will care for you from your first booking appointment until around 10 days after you've given birth. The exact length of support will depend on your needs. You are then discharged into the care of the health visitor.

The benefits of this approach include:

• helping you build a strong relationship with your midwife and the team caring for you
• reducing travel time by being cared for at your local hub

You can find out more on our community midwives page.

Maternity vaccination clinic

Vaccinations in pregnancy are important to protect you and your baby.

You can have these vaccines at our maternity vaccination clinic. The maternity vaccination clinic is based in the women’s ultrasound waiting area at St Thomas' Hospital (8^th Floor, North Wing). It is a drop-in clinic, so you don’t need an appointment. 

You can read our information about vaccinations in pregnancy.

Whooping cough (pertussis)

The whooping cough vaccine will protect your baby during the first 2 months of their life, until they receive their vaccines. Most people have the vaccine when they come for their 20-week scan, but you can have it anytime between 16 and 32 weeks. You can have it after 32 weeks, but this might not be as effective.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccine

These vaccines also offer protection for you and your baby. Being pregnant can affect your immune system, making you more vulnerable to serious complications from these infections.

You can have the vaccines at any stage in your pregnancy, during the winter season. 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

RSV is a common virus which can cause a lung infection called bronchiolitis. In small babies, and in the first months of life, this condition can be severe. It can make it hard for babies to breathe and to feed.

The vaccine boosts your immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus. These antibodies help protect your baby from the day they are born.

You can have the vaccine at our maternity vaccination clinic from 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Assessment

If you need assessment during your pregnancy, we can see you at our:

• early pregnancy and acute gynaecology unit (EPAGU), if you're less than 18 weeks pregnant 
• maternity assessment unit (MAU), if you're more than 18 weeks pregnant

Along with the care for you and your unborn baby during your pregnancy, we also provide:

• specialist care for complex pregnancies
• antenatal classes

We offer specialist care during your pregnancy for:

• preterm surveillance if you're at risk of having your baby early
• hypertension in pregnancy
• existing diabetes during pregnancy
• diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
• sickle cell and thalassemia
• stopping smoking
• pelvic floor
• mental health
• consultant midwife birth choices clinic
• vaginal birth after caesarean section (VBAC) clinics
• obstetric medicine

Wards

You'll stay on our antenatal ward if you need to stay in hospital during your pregnancy.

Team

Our maternity services are delivered by a dedicated team of:

• midwives
• obstetricians (doctors specialising in pregnancy and birth)
• sonographers (specialists in ultrasound scanning)
• specialist nursing staff
• maternity support workers

You can see a list of our consultants.