If you have any queries, we recommend you call the helpline (number below). Alternatively you can contact us by email at maternity.helpline@southerntrust.hscni.net.
Anyone who wishes to self-refer for maternity care in Southern Trust should complete this form. Please email completed forms to antenatal.midwives@southerntrust.hscni.net.
If you have sent a self-referral form and haven’t had an appointment please reply to antenatal.midwives@southertrust.hscni.net or alternatively contact the helpline number below.
The Southern Trust calls are displayed as an unknown number so please answer any calls as this will help to ensure we are able to contact you and provide you with information about your appointments.
Helpline: 028 37563702
The helpline telephone number will be manned by staff Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9am-5pm.
Antenatal Care
Antenatal care is continuing with some changes. Please continue to attend your antenatal appointments as arranged. We will contact you if there is a change to your appointment. Please attend your appointment on your own as this will help us to protect you and our staff.
Unfortunately all our antenatal education classes and support groups have to be cancelled at this time but if you have any queries please contact us on the helpline (028 37563702) to discuss.
Virtual antenatal and postnatal education classes
Although group antenatal education classes may not be available in all Trusts, you don’t have to miss out. We can provide you with antenatal and postnatal education classes online. These virtual classes cover the same topics your face to face antenatal classes and are an excellent source of help and support in the postnatal period. Click here to find out more.
Care in labour and delivery
The maternity services we offer will be Trust-wide due to the pressure on the hospitals as a whole. This may mean that the hospital you booked in may be different to the one you delivered in. Your midwife and obstetrician will be able to update you when you see them at your antenatal visit or when they speak to you on the telephone. Midwifery led units will remain open as long as we can staff them. If you have any signs of the COVID-19 infection you will be looked after in an obstetric led unit and be offered extra monitoring in labour.
Breastfeeding
In the midst of this pandemic, breastmilk remains the safest and most protective method to feed all infants. To help to encourage and support you to breast feed or provide breastmilk for your baby during this challenging time of social distancing please visit the Southern Health and Social Care Trust’s website to find some useful resources and links which may help.
Postnatal Care
You will continue to be seen by your community midwife who will contact you to arrange with you when and where you will be seen. Appointments will be tailored as required for each mother and baby.
Following regional recommendations, Hospital visiting is now restricted to 1 birthing partner in labour. This person will not be able to accompany the mother to the postnatal ward. Discharge home will be as soon as mother and baby are well to be discharged and this could be between 6-24 hours.
To read the latest guidance on Visiting in Care Settings in Northern Ireland see: COVID-19 regional principles for visiting maternity services in Northern Ireland
Southern Trust maternity services
Find out more about the Southern Trust maternity services here.