Information for dads and partners
If your partner is pregnant, we encourage you to show your interest in the pregnancy and birth and to be supportive to your partner. You can look at the NHS information on different weeks of pregnancy to see what happens to someone when they are pregnant and how the unborn baby develops during pregnancy.
This checklist may be useful for the final weeks:
- Make sure you can be contacted at all times
- Decide how you'll get to the hospital (if you have arranged a hospital birth)
- If you're using your own car, make sure it works and has petrol, and do a trial run to see how long it takes to get from your home to the hospital
- Remember to pack a bag for yourself, including snacks, a camera, and your phone and charger.
Partners are welcome to stay overnight in the delivery suite, birth centre and our antenatal and postnatal wards. If you have planned a hospital birth, you will both want to pack a change of clothes.
The Future Dads Programme
The Future Dads Programme (formerly called the Expectant Fathers programme) is the longest running fully evaluated programme of its kind. The programme is academically proven to increase confidence and competence in fathering skills. Research shows that when fathers are involved with their children from the beginning, their children do better socially and academically.
The programme is a 1-day course on a Saturday, from 10am to 4pm covering:
- Practical Skills: learning how to hold, feed, bath, change and bond with baby.
- Why fathers are important and what kind of father do you want to be?
- Impact on relationships (partner/work/friends)
- Question and answer session - an opportunity to ask an expereinced midwife any question about the birthing experience.
Programme aims
- Enhance your competence and confidence in your new role as a father
- Prepare you to engage more actively in the pregnancy
- Introduce practical skills you will need with your baby
- Highlight your importance and help you discover the kind of father you want to be
Please go to the Future Men website for further information or to book.
Doulas - professional birth attendants
You may choose to be supported by a doula during your birth. A doula is a professional birth attendant. You can find out more in our patient information leaflet about doulas, available on request.
Maternity referral and support Information
Refer yourself today
Did you know you can refer yourself for an appointment with one of our midwives without speaking to your GP first?
You can self-refer by calling our Maternity helpline on 020 8836 4491.
Or fill out our online self-referral form for maternity services.
If in doubt, call the midwife!
It is now even easier to speak to one of our midwives to answer any questions you may have about pregnancy, birth or your newborn baby with our Maternity Helpline: 020 8836 4491.
Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm.
Pregnancy checks and screening tests
During your pregnancy we'll offer a range of tests that are designed to make your pregnancy safer, assess the development and wellbeing of you and your baby, or to screen for particular conditions.
It is your choice whether to have a test. So that you can make an informed decision, find out about your choices of screening tests during your pregnancy and for your baby. There are easy read guides to the screening tests for you and your baby. This information is available in a number of languages.
Healthy Start Vouchers
If you receive certain benefits and have a low income, you may be eligible to receive free vouchers for milk, fruit, vegetables and vitamins.
Find out how to apply for Healthy Start Vouchers.
Get your Questions Answered at an Online Early Pregnancy Evening
For a virtual tour of our facilities at University Hospital Lewisham, Queen Elizabeth Hospital or Queen Mary's Hospital, to ask our midwives any questions, and to find out more about the maternity services in your area, please come along to one of our monthly online pregnancy evenings.
Find out more and sign up here.
Further information
Breastfeeding welcome — find a breastfeeding welcome venue near you.
Off to the best start (leaflet).
National Childbirth Trust — 0300 330 0700 (8am-midnight).
National Breastfeeding Helpline — 0300 100 0212 (9.30am-9.30pm).
Association of Breastfeeding Mothers — 0844 412 2949.
Breastfeeding Network — 0300 100 0210 (9.30am-9.30pm).
La Leche League — 0845 120 2918.
For more information about drugs in breast milk email: druginformation@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk.
The 'Baby Buddy' app, which you can download to your phone, takes you through life with your baby using interactive information and films.