Welcome to the Having a Baby Life Events Page.Here you will find useful links and advice on pregnancy and having children.
Before Birth
The National Childbirth Trust website has plenty of advice and useful information to consider before your baby is born. This includes looking after yourself, choosing your maternity care and what to watch out for during pregnancy. For further information visit the NCT website.
Health During Pregnancy
One of the first things you should do when you are pregnant is contact your GP. If you do not have a GP, you need to register with one as soon as possible.
Search for of GPs in Breckland area.
DirectGov has a comprehensive list of links on pregnancy.
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Birth
Information and links on childbirth can be found on the DirectGov "Having a Baby" pages. You can also find a section on Birth on the NCT website
After your baby is born
You must register the birth in the district where your child was born within 42 days of the birth. The National Childhood Trust website has lots of information on life after your baby is born.
Information on postnatal care can be found on the DirectGov website.
The Department for Work and Pensions website has information on specific benefits/services you may now be entitled to.
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If pregnancy goes wrong
You can contact support groups such as:
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Special needs
Some children are born with disabilities and other special needs. This can cause great anxiety to new parents, but there's extra help and advice available. You may be eligible for specific benefits/services. Visit the DWP website for more info.
The Family Fund Trust can provide grants and information for severely disabled children.
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Lone parents
If you are a lone parent, you may be able to get extra help bringing up your child. For information on child maintenance support, please visit the Child Support Agency website. If you want to find work, help is available through the New Deal for Lone Parents programme. As a working lone parent you may be entitled to the Working Tax Credit or the Child's Tax Credit. For further details and to apply on-line, visit the Inland Revenue website
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Rights and benefits
Information on maternity leave and benefits, social security benefits and entitlements information can be found at DirectGov.
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Adopting and fostering
To find out more about adopting and fostering a child, visit the following sites:-
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Nursery education and childcare
If you decide that you want to return to work, there are different childcare options available.
The ChildcareLink website allows you to search for childcare provision in your local area and also has useful facts on childcare choices, paying for childcare and becoming a working parent.
Information on different types of early education can be found on the Department for Education and Skills website.
The SureStart website also has details on early education, childcare plus health and family support.
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Teenage pregnancy
The Brook website provides free and confidential advice to under 25's on pregnancy, contraception, and sexual health.
Other useful links
- The BBC parenting website has a wealth of information on having a baby and being a parent.
- The National Childbirth Trust website has lots of helpful information on pregnancy, childbirth and early parenthood. The site aims to give every parent the chance to make informed choices.
- The fpa website (Family Planning Association) has information on family planning and contraception
- The British Pregnancy Advisory Service gives advice on abortion, pregnancy testing, cervical smears, emergency contraception, post abortion counselling, as well as male and female sterilisation.
- Sure Start aims to improve the health and well-being of families and children before and from birth, so children are ready to flourish when they go to school. Sure Start is a cornerstone of the Government's drive to tackle child poverty and social exclusion. To find out more, click here.
If you know of any other useful sites that could be included in the Life Events section, please e-mail the website address to webofficer@breckland.gov.uk
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