Resources to help you throughout your pregnancy.
Local services
If you think you might be pregnant, call a midwife who will:
- give care and advice in pregnancy, this is called antenatal care
- look after you and your baby when your baby is born
Antenatal care
You get free antenatal care during your pregnancy. See Your antenatal care on the NHS website.
In Bristol, midwifery services are provided by
- North Bristol Trust (NBT: Southmead Hospital or Cossham)
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston (UHBW: St Michael's or Weston General Hospital)
Contact a midwife for antenatal care
Online
You can complete an online self referral form on Badger Notes: Self-refer your pregnancy to BNSSG.
By phone
You can call either:
- North Bristol Trust on 0117 414 6743 or,
- University Hospitals Bristol and Weston on 0117 342 0850 and leave a message
Other ways
- See Find a GP to find your nearest maternity service
- Visit GRT community: Pregnancy if you're member of the Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Community
Health visitors
Health visiting: health visitors are specialist nurses who can support you and your family during pregnancy and until your child goes to school.
Family Nurse Partnership
Family Nurse Partnership is a home visiting programme for first-time young parents. They support young parents to:
- have a healthy pregnancy
- improve their child's health and development
- plan for the future and achieve their goals
Free swims for pregnant women
Free swimming: available throughout your pregnancy in Bristol at Bristol City Council owned leisure centres.
Support for migrant or asylum-seeking women in Bristol
Project MAMA: birth support for migrant or asylum-seeking women in Bristol.
Children's Centre hubs
There are 4 Children's Centre hubs in North, East, Central and South Bristol offering a range of services. These are available at Children's Centres. Support services include:
- easy access to antenatal care (before birth, during or relating to pregnancy)
- health services
- parenting and family support
- drop-in sessions
- outreach services (information and advice to remote areas)
- early education and childcare
- links to training and employment opportunities
Welcome the World
Welcome to the World is a 5 week antenatal nurturing programme run by the Children's Centre hubs.
The sessions are once a week for 5 weeks and are a relaxed way for you to:
- think about the transition to parenthood
- discuss issues that can be a challenge for every new mother and father
You can attend the group from approximately 28 weeks of pregnancy.
Partners are welcome to come to the sessions too, and it's also fine to come on your own or with another relative or friend.
How to apply for a place
To sign up for a Welcome to World place you can either:
- complete the online 0 to 5 years parenting groups: expression of interest form
- call 0772 1311 497
National links
Maternity and paternity benefits and leave: information from the NHS including the benefits you're entitled to when you're pregnant.
Pregnancy is a protected characteristic: information on protected characteristics and what this means for you.
NHS Healthy Start scheme: if you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be eligible to get help to buy healthy food and milk and get free vitamins.
Better Help: Start for Life: trusted NHS help and advice during pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
Keeping well in pregnancy: how to look after yourself and your baby while you're pregnant from the NHS.
DadPad: The Essential Guide for New Dads, developed with the NHS.
The Pregnancy and Post-birth Wellbeing Plan: a 2-page plan, endorsed by NICE.
Baby Buddy App: a free multi-award-winning, interactive pregnancy and parenting app.
Active Pregnancy Foundation: guides to staying active during pregnancy.
Local activities and meet-ups: from the National Charity for Pregnancy, Birth, and Early parenthood.
Centre for Early Childhood: from the Royal Foundation.
Barnardo's Family Space: information, advice and guidance during pregnancy and childhood.
Black Mothers Matter: free birthing resources and information for Black mothers.