Pregnancy and maternity | Kirklees Council

Advice and support

As soon as you know you are pregnant, contact your GP via your local surgery to plan your pregnancy. You can refer yourself to a midwife by ringing your local antenatal clinic.

Thriving Kirklees support during pregnancy
Pregnancy symptom checker provides information around the different pregnancy symptoms and what to do. If you're worried about yourself or your unborn baby don't hesitate to contact your midwife or the hospital.

NHS have produced a Your pregnancy and baby guide .

Local support services

Auntie Pam's peer support service provide a Kirklees-wide support and signposting service which offers help, guidance and information for mums and families through centres in Dewsbury and Huddersfield.
Local Sure Start Children's centres, are linked to maternity services. They provide family health and support services, early learning, and full-day or temporary care for children from birth to 5 years. They also provide advice and information for parents on a range of issues, from parenting to training and employment opportunities.
TalkThru offer confidential counselling for women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy or baby loss.
Community Directory - local organisations - Pregnancy

Keeping active

People may tell you that pregnancy is a good time to put your feet up. If your pregnancy is uncomplicated it is actually much healthier for you and your baby to keep active while pregnant. Physical activity during pregnancy can be helpful, particularly walking and gentle activity. Avoid high impact sports. For advice, talk to your GP or midwife.

Your guide to staying active in pregnancy
Buggymovers sessions for new mums who want to get back in shape are available at Greenhead Park, Spenborough Pool and Leeds Road Sports Complex.
Swimming is a great form of exercise for new and expectant mums. You can take part in 10 free sessions including public, length, family or aqua relax swims. Show your Maternity Exemption Card and Flexi Card at reception.
Parent Sanctuary offers walks and meet-ups from pregnancy to preschool, helping you with your mental and physical health.

Healthy eating

Now that you are pregnant it's important to eat well. Good nutrition will keep you healthy and help your baby grow and develop. Find out more about nutrition during pregnancy .

FREE Healthy start vouchers

If you're pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be eligible for FREE Healthy Start vouchers to help you buy basic foods like on milk, plain fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, infant formula milk and free vitamins.

Alcohol and smoking

Pregnant women should avoid alcohol and tobacco altogether. Smoking and drinking alcohol when pregnant can harm your baby. It's really important to be honest with your midwife so you can find out what support is available.

If you smoke, you can get advice and support about stopping from the following:-

Bonding with your bump and baby

The first 1001 days, from conception to age two, is a period of rapid growth. During this time babies growing brains are shaped by their experiences, particularly the interactions and relationship they have with their parents and other caregivers. What happens during this time lays the foundations for future development.

Feeding your baby

Support around feeding your baby is available from your Midwife and Health Visitor. Additional support is also available via Baby Cafés.

Auntie Pam's peer support service can also offer support for infant feeding.

Start4Life provides lots of helpful information and advice on breastfeeding and bottle feeding your baby.

Registering the birth of your baby

All births, by law, must be registered within 42 days with a Registrar of Births and Deaths. You can find out more information on registering the birth of your baby in Kirklees on our register a birth page.