Find useful information about every stage of your pregnancy, including preparing for labour and birth, and going home with your baby.

Information:

We've set up a playlist of short films providing you and your partner with some information on your pregnancy, birth and the early days with your baby.

View playlist here

Please talk to your midwife about using your ‘Journey to Parenthood’ booklet. It is designed to be used before and after pregnancy.

Early pregnancy

Mid to late pregnancy

Preparing for birth

You and your baby

Feeding your baby

Twins or more

If you have suffered a loss

Information in other languages

You can find pregnancy health information in other languages from the following national organisations:

  • MAMA Academy provide essential information about pregnancy
  • Public Health England provide information about screening tests for you and your baby
  • Tommy's provide information on monitoring your baby's movements
  • Labour Pains provide information about pain relief for labour and information about caesarians
  • Action on pre-eclampsia provide information about pre-eclampsia
  • UNICEF provide information about breastfeeding, formula feeding and sterilising feeding equipment
  • The Lullaby Trust provide information on safe sleeping for babies

If English is not your first language

Please speak to the staff who can arrange for an interpreter to help you. Alternatively please contact us for further advice.

If you have a visual or hearing impairment

To help us provide the best care and for our staff to understand your needs, if you are coming into hospital and you have a hearing or visual impairment, please let us know as soon as possible.

If you are staying overnight, with your permission our staff could display an eye or ear pictogram by your bedside. This will help those who are caring for you understand your communication needs. 

British Sign Language interpreters can also be arranged to support you during your visit or stay.

In partnership with Gloucestershire Deaf Association (GDA) we launched Deaf Communication Cards in 2017. For more information or to obtain your card, please contact admin@gda.org.uk or call 01452 372999.

Having a baby if you're LGBT+

Free prescriptions in pregnancy and MATEX maternity exemption certificate

You may be eligible to receive free prescriptions while you are pregnant via a Maternity Exemption certificate (MATEX) if at the time of your application:

  • you’re pregnant
  • you’ve given birth in the last 12 months.

Your midwife, GP or health visitor must complete an application for you.

They can complete an FW8 application form or use the digital maternity exemption service.

More information

Home-Start Gloucestershire

Home-Start Gloucestershire’s trained volunteers help to support families with young children through their toughest times by visiting them once a week in their homes. We also offer the following support groups:

Antenatal groups covering a range of subjects, such as bonding with your unborn baby, emotions during pregnancy, and baby development in the womb.

Postnatal groups for parents with babies up to six months old, focusing on topics like supporting early relationships and development, sleep, and first aid.

Perinatal mental health peer-to-peer groups, offering reassurance and support to mothers who are impacted by their mental health.

Home-Start Stroud and Gloucester https://homestartsd.org/

Home-Start Cotswolds https://home-start-cotswolds.org.uk/

Home-Start North and West Gloucestershire https://homestartnwglos.org.uk/

Please get in touch if you would like support. If you are unsure which scheme covers the area where you live, please check the map on this page https://home-startgloucestershire.org.uk/locations/

Support our maternity services

The Cheltenham and Gloucester Hospitals Charity raises funds to make a real difference for our patients, their families and the staff who treat them.