Whooping Cough
Did you know you can now receive your Whooping Cough (Pertussis) vaccine at during your 20-week scan? Protect your baby from birth by requesting the vaccine from your midwife at the antenatal clinic after your scan or by speaking to your GP surgery.
The optimal time to get vaccinated is between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, as this ensures your baby receives the maximum protection through the transfer of your antibodies before birth. If you miss this window, you can still have the vaccine up until you go into labour, but this is less ideal as it may not provide direct protection for your baby. However, being vaccinated at any stage can still protect you from whooping cough and reduce the risk of passing it on to your baby. Act now to give your baby the best start!
Please click here for more information.
Covid Vaccinations
UHCW offer Covid-19 vaccinations for pregnant women. Walk-in sessions are available for booster vaccinations, as well as first and second doses. To qualify for a Booster, your second dose must have been at least three months ago.
For more information and to book or manage your Covid-19 vaccination, visit the NHS website.
Helpful Resources:
Flu Vaccination
All pregnant women are encouraged to have the flu vaccine, as it offers important protection for both mother and baby. The flu vaccine is safe to receive at any stage of pregnancy, from conception onwards.
Benefits of the flu vaccine during pregnancy include:
UHCW offers free flu vaccinations for mums-to-be each autumn. For more information, speak to your midwife or any member of staff during your hospital appointment.
RSV Vaccination
The most effective way to protect babies from RSV infection is for mothers to receive the RSV vaccine during pregnancy, which will be available starting September 2024.
Receiving the vaccine reduces the risk of severe RSV-related lung infections by approximately 70 per cent during a baby’s first six months of life. The vaccine works by boosting the mother’s immune system to produce antibodies that fight RSV. These protective antibodies are then passed to the baby through the placenta, offering vital protection from birth.
The vaccine will be offered from 28 weeks of pregnancy through our maternity service. If you are not offered the vaccine around your 28-week antenatal appointment, contact your maternity team to schedule one.
Getting vaccinated at 28 weeks or soon after provides the best protection, even for babies born prematurely. However, if the vaccine is given later in pregnancy, it can still help protect your baby and reduce the risk of spreading infection to your newborn. If it’s not possible to have the vaccine earlier, it can still be administered right up until delivery.
For more information, visit What is RSV and is there a vaccine? or speak to your midwife.
Smoking Advice
UHCW maternity service recommends that all smokers including pregnant mums consider using the free specialist stop smoking services.
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of harm to babies. Carbon monoxide from burning cigarettes enters the mum's lungs and then quickly enters the baby's bloodstream via the placenta, leaving less oxygen for baby to develop and grow properly. Each cigarette smoked deprives babies of oxygen for around 20 minutes, increasing their heart rate.
Stopping smoking during pregnancy can reduce the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, having smaller, weaker and underdeveloped babies. it can also reduce the risk of pre term deaths, cot death and breathing problems after birth.
Midwives can refer pregnant women to the Warwickshire Stop Smoking Service and a local Stop Smoking in Pregnancy Adviser will ring pregnant women to discuss all the options available. Smokers can also visit www.quit4baby.co.uk.
The stop smoking in pregnancy service provides access to a local specialist stop smoking in pregnancy advisor, either at home or in a local pharmacy, regular appointments for support and advice throughout the pregnancy and free Nicotine Replacement Therapy
UHCW is a ‘Smoke Free Site’ based on guidance from NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) and UHCW’s own commitment to lead the way and set an example in providing a totally smoke free environment.
Maternity Exemption Certificate
Are you pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months? You are entitled to free NHS dental treatment and NHS prescriptions with a valid maternity exemption certificate.
Ask your midwife about the digital maternity exemption service. https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/.../maternity-exemption...
A maternity exemption certificate entitles you to free NHS prescriptions. You can also use the certificate as proof that you are entitled to free NHS dental treatment while you are pregnant. Find out if you're entitled to help with other health costs using the NHS eligibility checker.
Who is entitled? You’re entitled to a maternity exemption certificate if, at the time of your application, you are pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months.
How you can apply? Speak to your midwife, doctor or health visitor. They'll complete the application for you. They can do this as soon as they confirm that you’re pregnant. If they use the digital maternity exemption service you can get your certificate by email as soon as they have completed the application. Otherwise, you'll get a paper certificate in the post within 10 working days of us receiving your application
Further information about support or financial support for pregnant women can be found here.
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