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.

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. - A list of GPs in the Braintree District can be found here

_______________________________________

Directgov has a comprehensive list of links & information on child care & pregnancy including health & wellbeing, fertility, contraception & antenatal care & classes. _______________________________________

Birth Information and links on childbirth can be found in the 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. For further information on registering a birth in the Braintree District - click here.

- The National Childhood Trust website has lots of information on life after your baby is born.

- The Department for Work and Pensions website has information on specific benefits/services you may now be entitled to.

If pregnancy goes wrong.. You can contact support groups such as:

The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths - http://www.sids.org.uk/

The Miscarriage Association UK - http://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk

SANDS - Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society - http://www.uk-sands.org

The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust - http://www.ectopic.org/

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.

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

Rights and benefits

Information on maternity leave and benefits, social security benefits and entitlements information can be found at - Directgov

Adopting and fostering

To find out more about adopting and fostering a child, visit the - Adoption Information Line website. 

- Information on adoption and fostering from Essex County Council's Social Services Department

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.

Teenage pregnancy

The - Brook website provides free and confidential advice to under 25's on pregnancy, contraception, and sexual health.