Maternity and Family Planning Services
Maternity services are the services relating to people who are expecting or who have recently had a baby. Some of these services are offered at GP surgeries and hospitals and some are offered in community settings, such as local Children’s Centres. Family planning or sexual health services include contraception advice and support in relation to pregnancy termination. All pregnant women can access NHS maternity services and should not be refused access to maternity care. Maternity care is free for ordinary residents, for women seeking asylum and for those who have paid the NHS surcharge. If you are asked to pay, speak with your midwife and contact a charity for advice. More information about charging is available on our Healthcare Rights and Charges page.
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Healthcare when you are pregnant
Early access to healthcare when you are pregnant is important for you and your baby. This is recommended before you are 10 weeks pregnant.
This can be called antenatal, pregnancy or maternity care. When you discover you are pregnant, you can contact your GP or Find maternity services near you – NHS (www.nhs.uk) to access this care. A midwife, who is a qualified health professional will care for you during pregnancy, birth and early motherhood. There is more information on antenatal care on the NHS website.
When you are pregnant you might want to ask your health professional or community support networks about:
- Antenatal classes – these are free classes that are available to help prepare for pregnancy, birth and parenting. They can be a good way of meeting new people and other parents.
- Baby banks – these are community groups which can help you with the essentials you may need when your baby is born. You can search for a baby bank on the baby bank alliance website.
- Doulas – will support you during pregnancy, labour and the first weeks with your newborn. Doulas are usually volunteers and will often share the same cultural, linguistic or ethnic background, or have a shared experience with the women they support. You can ask your midwife and local support groups about what is available in your area.
The Refugee Council have produced some helpful information about Maternity Care in the UK for Women on Asylum Support (refugeecouncil.org.uk).
If you are worried about NHS charges for your maternity care you can get free and confidential advice on NHS charging from Maternity Action (maternityaction.org.uk).
Interpreters during child birth
If you need an interpreter when using health services, including during the early stages of labour, ask your healthcare worker – one should be provided for you, without you needing to pay.
If you would prefer that the interpreter provided is a women, you can tell your midwife or your healthcare worker.
After your child is born (postnatal care)
Once your baby has been born – (nhs.uk) you will receive postnatal care, a 6-week postnatal check – NHS (www.nhs.uk) and a health visitor will provide support to you and your baby.
Talk to your health visitor or GP if you are struggling after your baby is born. They can give you advice and suggest where to find help and support. You can read about feeling depressed after childbirth on the NHS website.
The NHS website also includes information on new born screening tests, which services will see your child at what age, and support groups you can access to help you and your baby.
Most towns and cities will have baby and toddler groups for you and your baby as they grow. These are often in libraries, community centres, schools and churches. You can ask your health visitor or search for local support groups on our Find Services page to help you find groups in your local area.
Conception advice and care
There is advice on Trying for a baby – NHS (www.nhs.uk), including planning and routes into parenthood (including LGBTQI+ routes) on the NHS website.
Contraception and birth control
Contraception is available in a range of different formats and is free from sexual health clinics, some GP surgeries and some young people’s services. You can also purchase contraceptives without a prescription from supermarkets and pharmacies. Full details are available on Contraception – NHS (www.nhs.uk), including a search function for local services. Some pharmacies will also provide emergency contraception and you can check for your local services at Emergency contraception – NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Family planning / sexual health services
Family planning services (sometimes called sexual health services) are free to access and you do not need to use one in your local area. Most provide a range of different services and are completely confidential but you should always check if the service you need is provided. The NHS website provides a Guide to sexual health services – NHS (www.nhs.uk).
Abortion services (termination of pregnancy)
The NHS provides lots of information for people who are considering an abortion (terminating a pregnancy) – (nhs.uk). You do not need a GP referral to an abortion service, but your GP (and a sexual health clinic) can complete this for you.
Rights in the workplace
Pregnant employees have legal rights for paid time off for antenatal care, maternity leave, maternity pay or maternity allowance, and protection against unfair treatment, discrimination or dismissal. You have the responsibility to tell your employer that you are pregnant and you must do this at least 15 weeks before the start of the week the baby is due. There is information on your Rights while you are pregnant at work on the Citizens Advice website and on Pregnant employees’ rights on the Gov.uk website.
Additional support during pregnancy
Maternity exemption certificate
A maternity exemption certificate gives people free NHS prescriptions and dental treatment while you are pregnant and for up to 12 months after you give birth. You can Check if you’re eligible for help for a maternity exemption certificate on the NHS Business Services Authority website and if you are you can ask your midwife or GP to apply for you.
Additional support for people seeking asylum
If you are in receipt of asylum support, you can claim extra money if you (or your partner) are pregnant, have had a baby or have a child under the age of 3. This claim needs to be made via Migrant Help (0808 801 0503) or you can go online and download a form to complete, they are available. Migrant Helps website has forms in English (custhelp.com) as well as forms in other languages (migranthelpuk.org).
Frequently asked questions
Who is entitled to free maternity care?
Everyone in the UK is entitled to NHS maternity care. Like most NHS treatment, maternity care is free for those who are considered “ordinarily resident” in the UK or who are exempt from charges (including those who have paid the health surcharge). You can read a factsheet on Residence rules and entitlement to NHS maternity care in England on the Maternity Action website.
Will my child be British if they are born in the UK?
After your child is born, you should register their birth within 42 days. Just because your child is born in the UK does not mean they will be a British citizen. You can check whether a child is a British citizen on the Gov.uk website.
Can I be removed from my job if I am pregnant?
No, it is unlawful for an employer to dismiss you or change your contract without agreement because you are pregnant. Acas has information on discrimination and managing pregnancy and maternity in the workplace – (Acas.org.uk).
Are Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, Statutory Shared Parental Pay and Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay) considered public funds for immigration purposes?
No, these are not considered public funds for immigration purposes. The Public funds – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) site has a list of benefits and statutory payments which are not considered public funds for immigration. There is also more information on what benefits are and are not public funds on the NRPF Network website.