Supporting your pregnancy at Barking Birth Centre

Supporting your pregnancy at Barking Birth Centre

When you become pregnant, we suggest you get in touch with us here at Barking Birth Centre to book your first appointment, called your 'booking appointment'. At this appointment, you will meet one of our friendly midwives, and discuss your pregnancy plan and birthing options.

Ideally you should be seen by a midwife by the time you are 10 weeks pregnant, or as early into your pregnancy as possible.

If you're the partner of a pregnant woman or birthing person, you can find information on how to support them through their journey online. 

Booking your first appointment

The quickest and easiest option for booking your first appointment is using one of the options below:

  • complete the Referral Form.docx [docx] 380KB and drop it to the Barking Birth Centre, located in Barking Community Hospital
  • your GP can refer you to us
  • contact our maternity team directly by calling 020 3644 2450.

Antenatal care and classes

Antenatal care is the care you get from health professionals during your pregnancy. It's sometimes called pregnancy care or maternity care.

Depending on your individual needs, your antenatal care will be based at either a children’s centre or a GP surgery where our community midwives have a clinic, or at an antenatal clinic in our hospital. It will all be provided in line with current NICE guidelines and appointments will be tailored to meet your individual needs.

If your pregnancy is considered low-risk, your midwife at the birth centre will provide all aspects of maternity care. If problems arise during your pregnancy they will refer you to the hospital team, but they will always be on hand for advice and support.

You will also be offered all relevant scans, including the 20-week scan, and screening tests during your pregnancy to check on your baby’s health and identify if there are any health conditions that could affect you or your baby. 

We offer screening checks for diabetes at our birth centre. If you test positive for diabetes, you will be referred to our specialist diabetes clinic at Newham Hospital.

Antenatal classes

Speak to our team or your midwife about the antenatal classes that we offer at Barking Birth Centre.

Additional resources and information

Barts Health

NHS 

Other organisations