Maternity self-referral confirmation

Congratulations on your pregnancy and thank you for completing your Maternity Self-Referral with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust’s Maternity services.

The referral you submitted is now in our system and is being processed; the demographic and contact details you provided will be used to decide the most appropriate midwife / team to care for you during your pregnancy. An ultrasound scan appointment for when you are around 12 weeks of pregnancy, will arrive by post to the postal address you provided.

If you have used an alternative correspondence address, or have used someone else’s contact email / number please make contact with us via – Email: esht.maternitynotessupport@nhs.net as soon as possible, leaving a contact number and best time of day for us to contact you. We can then ensure any future correspondence arrives to you at the correct address.

We have introduced a digital maternity notes system called ‘Badger Notes’

We are pleased to announce that in line with National recommendations we have introduced a digital maternity notes system called ‘Badger Notes’. Badger Notes is an online portal and app that allows you to access your maternity records via the internet through a computer, tablet device or mobile phone. Your midwife / clinician will document everything in real time giving you instant access to your care pathways. Further information on Badger Notes and the maternity services available to you, is available via our website – www.esht.nhs.uk/maternity

If you do not have access to a smart device we can offer you a set of paper handheld notes that you will need to bring with you to every appointment. Your midwife will discuss all available options with you when they call to arrange your first appointment.

You can download the Badger Notes app from the Google Play store or Apple App Store – Visit: www.badgernotes.net

Create an Account on Badger Notes

You will need:

  • the passphrase given to you by your midwife
  • your mobile phone to receive your verification text

Have you used Badger Notes in the past?

If you have used Badger Notes in the past you can add your new care record to your existing account:

  • Log in using your existing password
  • Pull out of profile menu
  • Select ‘Add a care record’

What’s available to you on Badger Notes

Care plan

A care plan is a week by week timeline of your pregnancy:

  • Learn about your baby’s development
  • Access reading recommended by your midwife
  • Learn about events likely to happen this week
  • View your booked appointments
  • Write a personal diary entry and add a photo
  • Enter BP or pulse oximetry readings if asked to do so by your midwife

Maternity Record

Your maternity record is available to you:

  • View extracts of information direct from your medical record
  • View the members of your care team
  • Watch the ‘Antenatal care summary’ report grow into a chronological record of some of your key pregnancy events

Conversations

Submit your thoughts and questions about your antenatal care, birth plan and postnatal care to your midwife – this will be reviewed with you at your next scheduled visit.

Are you having problems with your BadgerNet app?

Here is a quick video user guide – Badgernotes app tour

Useful Leaflets

View our library of pregnancy leaflets.

Information or help with Badger Notes

If you need any information or help with Badger Notes visit their website – www.badgernotes.net/help or contact your Midwife.


Please can you take the time to read the ‘Screening tests for you and your baby’ booklet before attending your appointments:

Your midwife will be able to answer any questions you may have. If you require the booklet in an alternative format, please speak to your midwife.

Pregnancy advice websites and resources

These leaflets are also available via the Badger Notes App, but this cannot be accessed until your midwife has contacted you to give you your unique login.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust Maternity Services


Overseas visitors

Some women/people may be asked to pay for maternity care, this is dependent on their overseas status. Maternity care will not be refused or delayed whether or not you are able to pay for your care. The following links will provide further assistance to anyone requiring financial advice and support for maternity care in the United Kingdom.

Money helper
Step Change debt charity

Financial help

Maternity care is very important for the health of you and your baby. Anyone experiencing financial difficulties during pregnancy can obtain advice and support from their local Citizen Advice centre:

Citizens Advice

The staff here at ESHT look forward to meeting you and providing care for you and your baby during and following your pregnancy.


If you have any concerns about your care

If you have concerns about your care at any stage of your pregnancy journey please discuss with your midwife if you feel able, or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS):

Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)