Pregnancy Care For Migrants in the UK

1. Register with a GP

• Go to www.nhs.uk and find your local GP
• Give your personal details
• You will get an NHS number – this is important for getting maternity care

2. See a Midwife

• Tell your GP you are pregnant
• They will send a referral to a midwife
• Or, you can contact the maternity hospital directly to book yourself

In the UK, most care is given by midwives, not doctors.
Midwives are trained experts who look after you during pregnancy and birth.
If needed, they will refer you to a doctor.

You may have fewer or more appointments than in your home country. Care can happen in a hospital, GP clinic, or children’s centre.

If you live in temporary housing, tell the support team you are pregnant.

Ask for a printed copy of your notes if they are digital—this helps if you move.

• You do not need immigration papers to register with a GP (family doctor).
• Try to book your first midwife appointment before 10 weeks of pregnancy.
• If you are new in the UK and don’t know where to go, ask a GP clinic or a local support group.

You can register with a GP even if:

• You have no address
• You have no documents

Ask the clinic to use their address, or use a friend’s or a community centre’s address.

More info: How to register with a GP

You have the right to:

• Choose any hospital to give birth
• Choose where to give birth: hospital, birth centre, or at home
• Have your midwife explain all choices (e.g. pain relief, c-section)
• Say yes or no to any treatment
• Bring a birth partner (family member or friend)
• Be treated with respect and dignity. Discrimination is not allowed.

More info: Choices in Pregnancy and Birth

If you have no money, you may get:

• Asylum support
• Emergency housing
• Help from your local council

You can also get help if you:

• Are at risk of homelessness
• Face domestic Abuse
• Have been trafficked

Many charities can give:

• Baby items (nappies, clothes)
• Food vouchers
• Emotional support

More info: Maternity Action Support

You can get free prescriptions and NHS dental care during pregnancy and for 12 months after birth.

Ask your midwife or GP for a Maternity Exemption Certificate (MATEX) at your first appointment.

More info: Maternity Exemption

If English is hard for you:

• Tell your midwife
• You have the right to a free interpreter
• You can ask for translated information (leaflets, test results)
• You can bring a friend or family member, but still ask for an interpreter for medical terms

Go to A&E or call 111 if you have:

• Heavy bleeding
• Strong pain
• Baby is not moving much

Call your midwife or hospital if:

• You are having contractions
• Your water breaks
• You think you have an infection

You should call 999 if there is a serious emergency. This means you or your baby need urgent help now.

Call 999 if:

• You are bleeding a lot
• You have very strong pain that does not stop
• You feel very sick or cannot breathe properly
• Your baby has stopped moving
• You are in labour and cannot get to the hospital
• Something feels very wrong, and you are scared

999 is for life-threatening emergencies.
An ambulance will come and take you to the hospital quickly.

This happens around 8 to 12 weeks pregnant. It may take 1 hour or more.

At this appointment:

• You will meet your midwife
• Talk about your health and pregnancy
• You may get blood tests
• You will be asked about past pregnancies or health issues
• You can ask questions and talk about your birth plan
• You will get ultrasound scans (at least 2)

Go to all your pregnancy (antenatal) appointments.
If money or transport is a problem, talk to your midwife. They may:

• Combine visits to reduce travel
• Arrange closer appointments
• Help you find transport support

You can also talk about:

• Your birth plan
• Any worries or bad experiences in past births
• See a specialist midwife or doctor if needed

• When labour starts, call your hospital
• Ask your midwife for the hospital number and how to enter at night
• After birth, you will get postnatal care for your health and your baby’s health
• Care may be at home or in a clinic
• Your midwife will visit you up to 10 to 28 days after birth
• Then, a health visitor will support you and your baby

If you need more help, contact these groups:

• Maternity Action – legal and maternity advice
• Birthrights – rights in childbirth
• Mamadoc – support for Black and Brown migrant parents
• Tommy’s Helpline – free advice for Black and Black Mixed-Heritage women

Your midwife can also tell you about local support groups.