COVID-19 advice for pregnant women, families and NHS workforce

Advice for pregnant women and families

Here you will find the latest information for you and your family during the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, pandemic.

Please follow the links below to the latest guidance for you and your family.

The Royal College of Midwives - RCM

• RCM & RCOG Coronavirus Q&A for pregnant women 
• RCM Birth Partners 

The Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology - RCOG

• They have developed a range of resources to inform and support healthcare professionals and the general public during the pandemic

Government and NHS advice on COVID-19

It is important that you follow the most recent advice around keeping you and your family safe and continue to make decisions that are right for your family.  We strongly recommend reading the Government advice during COVID-19 as well as NHS advice for everyone during COVID-19.

Improving Me updates

Our team will always endeavour to bring you the latest information on COVID-19. Please follow the Cheshire and Merseyside Women's and Children's Services Partnership on social media - 

• Twitter: @ImprovingMe1
• Facebook: /ImprovingMe1

Hospital- specific advice

If you'd like to know what advice is available per hospital, please review the below information:

• Countess of Chester Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust
• Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
• Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust 
• St Helens and Knowsley Hospital Services NHS Trust 
• Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
• Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust 

Mental health and COVID-19 for pregnant women and new parents

It is really important to look after your own mental health and wellbeing, especially if you are isolating from your friends and family during this time.

If you have appointments with midwives, health visitors, doctors or mental health support, it is important to keep up with these.  Some of these may now be offered as telephone calls rather than face-to-face.  If you are worried about attending appointments in person, or unsure if these are going ahead, contact your provider to get the latest update.  The Royal College of Midwives has a list of FAQs that you may find useful. 

If you are worried about your mental health, you can get in touch with a health professional such as your usual GP, midwife, health visitor or mental health worker.

If you or someone you are concerned about are experiencing a mental health crisis, feeling despairing or suicidal, there are services you can approach:

• Call the Emergency services on: 999
• Your local NHS mental health services
• Accident and Emergency at your local hospital
• Samaritans Free to call on: 116 123

Useful online information and telephone support resources

• The Maternal Mental Health Alliance has information and links on supporting perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 crisis available online.
• PANDAS - Pre And Postnatal Depression Advice and Support. Visit the website pandasfoundation.org.uk or call 0808 1961 776.
• Shout is the UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It is a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help via text message. For support in a crisis, Text Shout to 85258
• SANEline is a national out-of-hours telephone helpline on 0300 304 7000 offering emotional support and information for people affected by mental health problems.
• APP Network provides support to women and families affected by postpartum psychosis and offers online peer support forums. Visit the website here https://www.app-network.org/
• Refuge support women and children who are experiencing domestic violence. They provide a free phone 24-hour helpline number on 0808 2000 247 and provide information relating to COVID-19. 

Resources for self-help

• Mind has lots of free self-help activities available, as well as tools for coping with the mental health impacts of COVID-19 and self-isolation 
• The NHS Apps Library has a list of Mental Health apps. 
• NHS Audio Guide on stress, anxiety and depression. 
• Click here for resources to help support you and your family during COVID19.

Maternity Covid-19 Vaccination Information

Support for pregnant women

For further information on Maternity Safety Information and Translated maternity safety information materials visit NHS England and NHS Improvement North West » Maternity Safety Information .

Follow NHS North West on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NHSNW