It is likely over the coming weeks you will notice a change to how maternity services are delivered in your Trust. We want to reassure you that the midwifery and obstetric team are doing their very best to deliver high quality, evidence based care while reducing the risk to women and staff.

To access the latest RCOG guidance on antenatal and postnatal services in the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic please click here.

Advice regarding your appointments or urgent visits to clinics and hospitals

  • If you have any concerns, you will be able to contact your maternity team as usual but please note they may take longer than usual to get back to you.
  • If you have an urgent problem related to your pregnancy but not related to coronavirus, get in touch using the same emergency contact details you already have. Please do not contact this number unless you have an urgent problem.
  • If you have symptoms of coronavirus, contact your maternity service and they will arrange the right place and time to come for your visits. You should not attend a routine clinic.
  • You may be asked to attend on your own. This will include being asked to not bring children with you to maternity appointments.
  • For the current COVID-19: Regional Principles for Visiting in Care Settings in Northern Ireland click here.
  • There may be a need to reduce the number of antenatal visits you have. This will be communicated with you. Do not reduce your number of visits without agreeing first with your maternity team.

At this time, it is particularly important that you help your maternity team take care of you. If you have had an appointment cancelled or delayed, and are not sure of your next contact with your maternity team, please let them know by using the contact numbers provided to you at booking.

As the COVID 19 pandemic puts more pressure on the hospital there are a number of ways this may affect your care.

To reduce the number of people attending the hospital and reduce your exposure to the hospital, some appointments will now take place over the phone. If there are any changes to your appointments you will be contacted by a member of the maternity team to advise you of any changes. It is important if you see a withheld number coming up on your phone that you answer the call. It may be the maternity unit making contacting to confirm your appointment.

Please seek help if you have any concerns about you and your baby’s health. Don’t just wait and see or think it’s nothing important. You can always call your midwife about anything, even if it is not coronavirus related.


A guide to COVID-19 vaccination

The RCOG have developed a range of information for healthcare professionals and pregnant women eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. It is available here www.rcog.org.uk/covid-vaccine

COVID-19 vaccine for woman of childbearing age – This flyer contains information on the COVID-19 vaccine for women of childbearing age, women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding. Please read this before your vaccination.

 

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