Maternity email backup

Thank you for your maternity self-referral. You have asked for maternity care with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

What happens next?

  1. We will send you a scan appointment. This will be a letter to your postal address. The appointment will be for when you are about 12 weeks pregnant. If you are unsure of your dates, you will get an earlier appointment.
  2. We will contact you by phone to arrange your first appointment with a midwife.

What you need to know

Less than eight weeks pregnant when you completed this form?
You will hear from us by the time you are nine weeks pregnant.

More than eight weeks pregnant when you completed this form?
You will hear from us within two weeks.

If you have not heard from us as indicated above, please contact us by email. Contact the team nearest to where you live:

Folic acid

We recommend everyone takes folic acid until they are 12 weeks pregnant. This helps prevent neural tube defects. You can buy a folic acid supplement over the counter. Multivitamin supplements also contain folic acid.

We recommend a higher dose of folic acid if any of the following apply to you:

  • you or the baby’s biological father has a neural tube defect
  • you or the baby’s biological father has a family history of neural tube defects
  • you have had a previous pregnancy affected by a neural tube defect
  • you have diabetes
  • you take anti-epilepsy medicine
  • you take anti-retroviral medicine for HIV

If any of these apply to you, talk to a GP. They can prescribe the higher dose of folic acid.

Vitamin D during pregnancy and breastfeeding

We also recommend everyone takes Vitamin D during pregnancy and breastfeeding. This can be taken as a supplement on its own or in a pregnancy multivitamin. If you have dark skin or cover your skin a lot, you may be at particular risk of not having enough vitamin D.

For more information visit this website: Vitamins, minerals and supplements in pregnancy

Foods to avoid in early pregnancy

There are some foods to avoid when you are pregnant. For more information vist this website: Foods to avoid in pregnancy

What to do if you have any concerns

Help and support in your first trimester – up to 13+6 weeks.

Reasons to call the Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU)

  • Severe sickness
  • Bleeding (pink, brown or red discharge)
  • Pain or cramping in your abdominal, back or pelvic pain
  • Previous miscarriages
  • Previous ectopic pregnancy
  • If you suspect for any reason you may be having a miscarriage

For severe pain or heavy bleeding, please go straight to the Emergency Department (A&E).

Help 24/7 days a week

Tel: 0300 131 4480 – Tel: 0300 131 5676 – ESHT Switchboard: 0300 131 4500 Ext: 772576

After 14 weeks of pregnancy:
For urgent concerns such as bleeding, pain or worries about your baby’s movements, call our Maternity Triage – Tel: 0300 131 5341

For non-urgent concerns, such as blood results, appointment details or referrals, contact our maternity liaison team:

Useful information

For information on pregnancy and birth go to:

or

Also visit the links below:

Advice on common Infections in pregnancy such as exposure to chicken pox
Baby Friendly Resources – Baby Friendly Initiative
Diabetic Eye screening in pregnancy (for women with type 1 or 2 diabetes)
My choices for Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond
NHS pregnancy and baby guide
NHS Smoking cessation advice and support
NHS website for general information/advice
PAPP-A (Pregnancy associated plasma protein-A)
Public Health England leaflet on Flu and Whooping cough
Screening tests for you and your baby

Overseas visitor?

Maternity care is very important for the health of you and your baby. It will not be refused or delayed if you are an overseas visitor.

Need financial help or advice?

Ask for advice from the citizen advice centre: Citizens Advice

Concerns about your care?

If you have concerns about your care please talk to your midwife.  Or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS): Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)