Pregnancy support

Coping with an unexpected pregnancy can be emotional and stressful.

If you find out you’re pregnant and feel confused about what to do, talk to people you can trust – such as your partner, family or friends –to help decide what is best for you.

Don’t let anyone pressure you into making a decision, because ultimately it’s your choice.

Pregnancy support and advice is available from NHS health professionals and they can talk you through your options.

These centres will help you find a clinic in Colchester or Tendring where you can take a pregnancy test and can get advice on contraception.

·         24-hour local family planning answer line: 01206 868686

·         The Young People’s clinic at Colchester Cornerstone: 01206 574256

·         The Youth Enquiry Service (teenage pregnancy support): 01206 710771

Preventing pregnancy

If you have forgotten to take your contraceptive pill or used a condom that has split you may wish to use emergency contraception.

The morning-after pill can be taken up to five days after having unprotected sex and is FREE from local family planning clinics and your GP (who you can see confidentially).

Alternatively you can buy it from many local pharmacies in North East Essex (free if you are under 18).

Smoking when pregnant

Smoke is harmful to everyone, especially to unborn babies. Smoke crosses from your body, across the placenta, to the baby. The chemicals in the smoke can cause harm to the baby. They can have immediate and long lasting effects which can last long after the birth.  

The smoke you inhale contains 4,000 chemicals, including carbon monoxide which severely reduces the amount of oxygen that gets to your baby. This makes its tiny heart beat harder and effects the growth and development of your baby.

Smoking whilst pregnant causes a greater risk of miscarriage and stillbirth and your baby is more likely to be born prematurely and with a low birth weight.

Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is safe during pregnancy, so get help to stop smokingand protect your baby’s health. Call 01206 545134 /0800 731 2656 to get local information about quitting smoking.

http://smokefree.nhs.uk/smoking-and-pregnancy/just-the-facts/

Drinking alcohol when pregnant

To protect your baby’s health try to ditch the booze if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to conceive.

When you drink, the alcohol crosses from your bloodstream through the placenta into your baby’s blood. Heavy drinking can be harmful for the baby’s development.

If you drink heavily when you are pregnant you could be putting the growth of your baby at risk and he/she may develop foetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

If you didn’t know you were pregnant and have been drinking more than the recommended amount of units, don’t panic. Talk to your local GP or midwife about any concerns you may have – they’re there to help.

Breastfeeding support

Babies are born to breastfeed. Learning to breastfeed is like learning any new skill – you might need help and information to get started. Breastfeeding SHOULD be comfortable and should NOT HURT. Speaking to a specially trained worker can help you to get it right. Speak to a local trained breastfeeding supporter for help and information and to find your local breastfeeding support group for the chance to meet other bumps, mums and babies.  

Local Breastfeeding Support Tendring and Colchester 01255 670155 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, Saturdays 9am to 12pm)

National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212

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