Get It On

If you are thinking about keeping the baby, ask yourself these questions first…

• Is anybody putting pressure on me to have the baby?
• Who can give me information, help and support?
• How will I feel becoming a mother/father in a few months’ time? Is parenthood a good option for me right now? What does my partner think about us keeping the baby?
• If the baby’s mother/father and my family don’t want to be involved, how will I feel bringing the baby up on my own? How will I feel when the baby grows into a demanding toddler? Will I be able to cope with this?
• What impact will the baby have on my education or training opportunities, my social life and keeping in touch with my friends?
• Can I afford to have a baby at the moment?
• Am I ready to be a responsible parent? Do I know what is expected of me?
• Do I think I will have any regrets later; next month, next year, in five years?

If you have thought things through very carefully and you choose to continue, what happens next?

See your doctor who will make arrangements for the baby’s birth and explain how to take care of your own health while you are pregnant. It is important to go for antenatal care regularly from the start of your pregnancy, for your own health and that of the baby. It’s also important for the partner to be involved as much as possible if you are both happy with this.

If you will have to bring up the baby on your own, Social Services can put you in touch with support and help. Contact Halton Borough Council and ask for Housing / Accommodation 0151 424 2061

If you are still at school please speak to your teachers and discuss how you plan to stay in education. If you are not in education or at college, please speak to Student services at College for guidance. Some colleges even have a crèche facility for you to leave your child in whilst you are studying. See the Teenage Pregnancy Team section for further advice.

Keeping Healthy for You and the Baby

Sexual Health; Having sex and sometimes other sexual activity, means you could be at risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). Quite often you wouldn’t even realise you has an STI because there may be no signs or symptoms.

Most infections can be treated very easily but some can be serious and harm you or your unborn baby’s health if it’s not treated. You can get tested at the GUM Clinic which is based at Halton General Hospital. Please see STIs for contact details and more information.

Healthy Eating

Eating healthy during your pregnancy will help your baby develop and grow, and will keep you fit and well. You do not need to eat any more than you did before you were pregnant. If however, you feel the need to eat more food, try to eat healthy foods that are low in fat, because this will stop you from putting on too much weight and it may help to lose excess weight once the baby is born.

Alcohol, Smoking and Drugs

See the section on Sex, Drugs and Alcohol for more information to protect you and your baby.

Breastfeeding

Breast milk is the only natural food naturally designed for your baby, because it provides exactly the right amount and type of food for your baby and helps your baby’s development and health. When you are breastfeeding, what you eat is important for you and your baby. Speak to your midwife or health visitor about the things you should eat or avoid.

Breastfeeding is free and often more convenient and practical than bottle-feeding. If you want to get more information and advice, speak to your midwife.

Here are a few tips to get you started;

• Face your baby towards your breast and move them towards you.
• Touch around the edge of your baby’s mouth with your nipple to encourage them to latch on.
• Wait until your baby’s mouth opens wide and aim your nipple to the roof of their mouth.
• Make sure your baby’s mouth covers the whole nipple, covering some of the dark area around the nipple too.
• Your baby’s mouth should be open and the bottom lip curled back onto its chin.
• As your baby breastfeeds, hold them close.
• If you need to stop them feeding, break the suction by sliding a finger into the corner of the baby’s mouth.

Being a Parent

Things to consider…

• Make sure you are getting all the financial help you are entitled to.
• Deal with any money that you owe as quickly as you can because babies are expensive. Visit the Citizen’s Advice Bureau (CAB) for some advice.
• Avoid getting (further) into debt by saying no credit cards. Talk to services such as Connexions, Sure Start, CAB or Job Centre Plus for advice.
• Make sure you are living in suitable accommodation for you and your child.
• Be sensible with your money – try to make it stretch as much as you can by buying things that you really need rather than things that you want! Try to save a little bit of money and treat yourself later on. Keep a record of the money you spend so you know where you’re up to.
• Budget. A budget is when you write down how much money you can spend each week and how you are going to spend it.
• Get help. There are so many people out there who want to help you and make life as easy as possible, so look through this directory to find the people or services you want and if you can’t find them all – look through the yellow pages or call Halton Borough Council; 0151 4242061

Health Visitor

Health visitors are nurses who come from a variety of backgrounds who have all undergone additional training. Health visitors are employed to promote individual health and well being.

Their main work is with families and young children but they can also offer advice on all sorts of problems or issues.

Health visitors are not just there for the baby’s health and development but there are to support the parents or carers. They will offer support to mums and families if a mum has postnatal depression.
For some help and support regarding Postnatal Depression, speak to your Health Visitor or GP.

Midwife

Midwives specialise in maternity care. This means that they will help with support and care during your pregnancy, birth and afterwards when the baby has been born. They work closely with other health professionals to ensure the best care is received for your needs. You can access midwives directly though Community Sexual Health Clinics such as the HCRC in Widnes, or through referral by other agencies. Please see the Community Sexual Health Services section.