If you or a member of your family or household has a new continuous cough or high temperature, please do not attend the maternity unit or antenatal appointment.
If you have any concerns related to your pregnancy, for example you have noticed a reduction in the number of kicks, please call the Pregnancy Advice Line on 0300 1235473.
If you are in labour, please call the Pregnancy Advice Line on 0300 1235473.
If you are due to attend an appointment during this time, please call 01932 722413 or your named midwife.
If you are well and need advice in response to the latest update from Public Health England, please see below information to protect yourself and your baby - or visit the Public Health England website.
We appreciate that this is a very unsettling time but we would ask that you bear with us as we adapt to the daily changing situation to identify the best way to care for you and your baby.
What you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones
- You can get more advice from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists here
- Wash your hands more regularly with soap and water
- Work from home if you can
- Ask another family member or friend to do the school / shopping run if possible
- Avoid non-essential social contact
Screening for COVID-19
At St. Peter’s Hospital our priority is to keep you and your baby safe.
In line with NHS England and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) recommendations we are now offering a swab to screen for COVID-19 to all women who are admitted into the Maternity unit, regardless of symptoms.
This is to help minimise the spread of COVID-19 in hospitals. Please access the information leaflet which is available here and on the Badgernet portal.
From 7th September, we are extending our COVID-19 testing to include birth partners of women who are having planned caesarean sections. This is to minimise the infection risk within our theatres. Birth partners will need to self isolate following their test until the time of admission. They will be tested at the same time their partner attend their pre-op appointment in Maternity Day Assessment Unit.
- Download our leaflet: Screening for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection
Homebirth Service Reinstated
We are pleased to advise that Home Birth Services will be reinstated in Surrey from midday on Thursday 12 January 2023 for those women and birthing people who choose this option, following the temporary suspension of home births in December 2022.
Despite the demand on South East Coast Ambulance services remaining high, we recognise that having a home birth is an important choice to provide. Our midwifery staff want to help women, birthing people and their partners to make a birth plan that feels right for them which is based on relevant, up to date information.
Infant Feeding
Breastfeeding is the best way to protect your baby from infection. However you choose to feed your baby, giving your colostrum passes protective antibodies to your newborn baby.
Antenatal colostrum harvesting is advocated from 36 weeks. We can advise you further and send you a colostrum harvesting pack by post. Please email us on asp.tr-infant-feeding-team.nhs.net for packs and more information.
Leaflets
- Parent information for newborn babies
- Planning your birth
- Screening for Coronavirus (COVID-19) Infection
