Please complete either the online self referral form, phone our midwifery team on 020 7288 3672, or ask your GP for a referral.
FAQs
How can I find medical information and advice about my pregnancy?
The NHS Choices website has comprehensive information relating to pregnancy. It includes information of the food and drink you can eat during pregnancy, symptoms during pregnancy and medications you can take. You can also click here for pregnancy information and leaflets from the Whittington or ask your midwife for more information.
What if I want to travel when I am pregnant?
If your pregnancy remains low risk without any major concerns, it is likely you can travel safely well into your pregnancy. Please check with your midwife or doctor before travelling.
Most airlines ask for a ‘Fit to Fly’ letter if you are flying after 28 weeks. Your GP can provide this for you. Please ensure that you request this a few weeks before travelling so it can be completed on time. It is recommended to have travel insurance when abroad, look out for insurances that specifically cover pregnancy.
Before you travel, it is important to find out what maternity services are available are at your destination in case you need urgent medical attention. It is also a good idea to take your maternity notes (yellow book) with you, so you can provide healthcare staff with relevant information if necessary.
When you are pregnant, travelling carries a small increased risk of of having a blood clot if you are flying or travelling long distances in the car. To reduce this risk, it is recommended to wear compression stockings which are available from the pharmacy or online, and to also move about regularly. Keeping hydrated and drinking water can also be helpful.
What antenatal workshops are there and when are they held?
Our antenatal classes include:
- Early bird classes - for first trimester advice
- Antenatal education (Parentcraft) classes
- Breastfeeding workshops
These are held on a monthly basis, please click here for more information.
What am I entitled to during pregnancy and the postnatal period?
When you are pregnant and a year after the baby is born, you are entitled to free prescriptions and dental care. Your midwife will complete a FW8 form for you, usually at your booking appointment, and email you a copy of your certificate which you can then show at your pharmacy or dentist.
If you are currently working or have been recently employed, you should be entitled to receive Statutory Maternity Pay from your employer or Maternity Allowance through Jobcentre Plus. To apply for either, you will need a MAT B1 form from your midwife. This is usually provided at your 25 or 28 week appointment as it can only be issued in person, please ask your midwife for the form.
Please note, only one form can be issued, so it is recommended to take a photocopy or photo of the form just in case. The MatB1 can also be used if your partner is able to apply for paternity leave with their employer.
How can I receive complementary therapy such as acupuncture?
We offer acupuncture as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medicine. It is a form of therapy where very fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body and left for 20 to 30 minutes.
Acupuncture can be beneficial during pregnancy for:
Acupuncture can be beneficial during pregnancy for:
- Birth preparation
- Serious musculoskeletal pain e.g. back pain, sciatic nerve pain and pelvic pain
- Turning babies from breech to head down presentation
- Severe vomiting (hyperemesis)
To book an appointment, please use our online self-referral form or call 07824 864 455 and leave a message.
Who do I phone if I am concerned or worried?
If you are up to 17 weeks and 6 days pregnant, please call the Early Pregnancy Service at 0207 288 2786 for advice. If you have an emergency, you can just attend without calling via our walk-in service in the Women's Diagnostic Unit, Level 3, Kenwood Wing, Whittington Hospital. The walk-in service is available from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. Outside of these hours, please go to the hospital Accident and Emergency department.
If you are 18 weeks pregnant and above, please call the Maternity Triage direct line at 0207 288 5880. You can also walk into our 24/7 Maternity Triage at the Betty Mansell Ward, Level 3, Kenwood Wing, The Whittington Hospital. Please click here for further contact information.
If you have concerns about your baby after birth, please call 999 or go to Accident and Emergency.
How do I arrange for a home birth?
Please contact your named community midwife from our team who coordinates and tailors your maternity care. They will be able to arrange an appointment to discuss home birth with you.
Please note, we are only able to provide a home birth service for women local to the Whittington living in Islington or Haringey boroughs.
Is there car parking available?
There is no parking at the hospital during the day but we do have a limited number of disabled (blue badge) parking spaces, which may be used by blue disabled badge holders only between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm free of charge. Please note that normal charges will apply to blue disabled badge holders after 5:00pm on weekdays and all day at weekends (see below).
Parking is allowed between 5pm and 8am Mondays to Fridays and all day at the weekends. The first 20 minutes is free and after that is charged at £3.00 per hour.
There is a limited amount of pay and display parking on the roads around the hospital.
What should I do if I think I am in labour?
Please contact Maternity Triage on 020 7288 5880 if you plan to give birth on Labour Ward.
If you plan to give birth in the Birth Centre, please call us at 020 7288 3990/3991 before you arrive so we can prepare.
Which entrance do I use out of hours at night?
There is 24 hour access via the Labour Ward entrance. The best way to get there is via Gordon Close or Dartmouth Park Hill. Please see map here.
What pain management is available in the Birth Centre and Labour Ward?
At the Whittington, pain relief therapies include:
- Birthing pool (please bring your own sieve and mirror if you would like to use the birthing pool)
- Gas and air (Entonox - a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas)
- Massage
- Complementary therapies such as hypnobirthing and acupuncture
- Diamorphine injection (into the muscle of your thigh or buttock)
- Epidural (only available on Labour Ward )
You can also bring a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine from home for pain relief.
Is there a birth ball in every room in the Birth Centre and on the Labour Ward or should I bring my own?
There are birth balls in all rooms, however you can bring your own (with a pump) if you prefer.
How many birthing pools are there on the Labour Ward?
There are four birthing pools in the Birth Centre and two on the Labour Ward.
Do we have to have a car seat with when taking baby home?
Yes, if you have your baby in hospital or a Birth Centre, you will need a car seat to drive your newborn home. It's a good idea to practice fitting the seat before your baby is born. This NHS website provides some tips for buying a baby car seat.
What about visitors?
Visiting times on Murray (antenatal) ward and Cellier (postnatal) ward are 3 - 6pm. However, birthing partners can visit at any time, including overnight. We can only accept a maximum of 2 visitors at any time, including partners.
For children under 16, only children of the women and birthing people staying on the ward can visit during visiting hours.
For the safety of all those on the ward, please do not open doors for other visitors during your stay – we are available to do this.
Partners who are staying overnight are requested not to leave the ward between 10pm and 6am.
Can partners stay overnight - or another family member instead of a partner?
Partners or another nominated adult can stay overnight on the Murray (antenatal) and Cellier (postnatal) wards. A recliner seat is provided.
Please bring your own food and comfortable clothing.
What can we do if we are not comfortable with our midwife (in labour or during pregnancy)?
Please ask to speak to the community team leader, lead midwife on the ward, or to the Labour Ward Coordinator to discuss.
How do I discuss an issue with my care or my birth experience?
Please discuss any issues with your midwife who will be able to help you. If you have an issue and would like to provide official feedback, please contact PALS.
We also have a birth reflections service where one of our senior midwives can go through your maternity notes and discuss your birth with you, giving you an opportunity to ask questions and understand your birth better. Please click here for more information.
Please note, this service is only for women who have given birth at the Whittington. If you have previously given birth at a different maternity unit, please contact their own birth reflections service as we do not have access to notes from other organisations.
Do I get to keep my notes when I go home?
As your notes are a legal document, the hospital will store them for 25 years. We will provide you with an electronic summary of your pregnancy journey. Please click here If you would like to request a copy of your maternity notes (yellow book).
Do you have issues accessing the internet?
We are pleased to announce that Whittington Maternity is now participating in the Digital Maternity Leaders initiative, proudly positioning itself as a Maternity Digital Hub. This initiative is dedicated to reducing digital exclusion among the most vulnerable populations by helping provide equitable access to essential digital resources.
Much like a 'digital food bank,' the National Databank offers free SIM cards with data, available supported by O2, Vodafone, and Three.
Eligibility criteria:
Eligibility criteria:
- Anyone 18 years or older from a low-income household who either lacks internet access at home, cannot afford their current data plan, or does not have internet access while away from home.
If you think you are eligible, please ask your Midwife who will refer you to the digital team.
For more information:
Last updated18 Nov 2024