We are all susceptible to different infections, diseases and health problems throughout our lifetime. Most pregnant women are generally fit and healthy, which may mean they are not always aware they have caught an infection until they experience symptoms or health problems. In some cases, these only develop in the later stages of the infection or disease. Some infectious diseases can be fairly minor causing a few short-lived, bothersome symptoms, however others can lead to serious health complications for the mother during pregnancy and after the birth, as well as for her developing and/or newborn baby.
Routine antenatal screening services in the United Kingdom (UK)
All pregnant women in the UK are offered a range of antenatal screening tests in early pregnancy, as part of routine maternity care. These are mainly blood tests, which include those that identify possible abnormalities with the baby`s development, as well as tests that look at the woman's general health and well-being...
Infectious diseases likely to occur during pregnancy
There are a range of signs and symptoms that are linked to certain common infections. These include the signs of a cold, a cough, flu-like symptoms and stomach (gastric) upsets. It is likely that you would normally treat these symptoms yourself using medicines and remedies that can be bought over the counter at your local chemists. However, you need to be a lot more cautious when you are pregnant...
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Resources
NHS Screening
NHS Direct
24 hour helpline: Tel: 0845 4647
Health Protection Agency
Health Protection Agency Central Office
7th Floor
Holborn Gate
330 High Holborn
London
WC1V 7PP
Tel: 020 7759 2700/2701
Email: webteam@hpa.org.uk
Women`s Health Information
Includes sections on pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections
and reproductive health.
Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) (formerly SATFA)
73 Charlotte Street,
London
W1T 4PN
Tel: 0207 631 0280
Helpline: 0207 631 0285
Email: info@arch-uk.org
Genetic Counselling Service
7th Floor, Borough Wing,
Guy`s Hospital,
Great Maze Pond,
London
SE1 9RT
Tel: 020 7188 1364
Congenital Abnormality Register
There are many different regional congenital abnormality registers in the UK. Your midwife will be able to give you contact details of your local register.
Tommy`s, the baby charity (Incorporating the Toxoplasmosis Trust)
Nicholas House
3 Laurence Pountney Hill
London
EC4R 0BB
Tel: 0870 777 30 60
Email: info@tommys.org
Group B Strep Support
PO Box 203
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 1GF
Tel: 01444 416176
Email: info@gbss.org.uk
FSA (Food Standards Agency)
Offices in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For
contact details, please see website.
Terence Higgins Trust
The Terence Higgins Trust is the leading HIV and AIDS charity in
the UK and has centres throughout the country. For details of
your nearest centre, please check the website.
Brook
421 Highgate Studios
53-79 Highgate Road
London NW5 1TL
This is the central office. For your local centre,
please see the website.
Tel: 020 7284 6040
General email: admin@brookcentres.org.uk
Marie Stopes International
Tel: 0845 300 0460 (Health screening)
Tel: 020 7636 6200 (General enquiries)
Likeitis
Information for young people on a variety of topics relating
to sex education and teenage life, including sexually
transmitted diseases.
The Site
Gives information on many topics of interest or concern to young
people. Advice on sexual health is contained in the section on
sex and relationships.
Contributors include:
Mr. Peter Young, MB; ChB; MRCOG;
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Prof. Moira Plant, RN; RMN; PhD;
Professor of Alcohol Studies
Anne Viccars, MA; BSc (Hons); PGDipEd; RM; RN;
Senior Lecturer in Midwifery
Dr. AP Madden, MA; BM; BCh; FRCA;
Consultant Anaesthetist
Dr. Julie Dallison, MSc; DPhil
Dr. Jenny Ingram, PhD; BSc (Hons)
Dr. Mary Stewart, PhD; RN; RM; ADM; BSc (Hons);
MSc; PGDipHE
Prof. Christine MacArthur, PhD;
Professor of Maternal and Child Epidemiology
Dr. Sally Marchant, PhD; RN; RM; ADM; DipEd
Prof. JG Thornton, MD; FRCOG;
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Rona McCandlish, RM; RMN; RN; MSc (Epid);
Sarah Beake, MSc; RM; RN; Research Midwife
Prof. Alison Macfarlane, BA; Dip Stat; C Stat; FFPH;
Professor of Perinatal Health
April Bolding, DPT; Childbirth Educator; Doula, USA
Dr. Helen Churchill, PhD; BA (Hons); Senior Lecturer
Dr. Louise Howard, PhD; MSc; MRCP; MRC Psych;
Senior Lecturer in Women's Mental Health
Sharon Hodgkiss, RN; RM; DipHE; BSc (Hons); MPH;
West Midlands Regional NSC Antenatal & Child Health
Screening Coordinator
Vicky Carne, MSc; BA (Hons); ADM; RM; RN;
Head of Midwifery, MIDIRS
Glenda Augustine, MPH; BSc (Hons); RM; DipHV, RGN
Debra Kroll, MSc; PGCEA; ADM; RM; RN;
Midwifery Lecturer in Practice
Michelle Lynn, BEd (Hons); ADM; RM; RN;
Midwifery Advisor, Nursing and Midwifery Council
Chrissie Hammonds, MSc; RM; RN;
Midwife Ultrasonographer
Sara Wickham, MA; BA (Hons); RM; PGCE (A);
Midwife & Author
Dr. Sandy Oliver, PhD; BA; Reader in Public Policy
Sally Cottrell, RM; BSc; MSc; MICG; NNEB; Consultant
Midwife Public Health, Women & Family
Dr. Gillian Flett, FRCOG; FFSRH; MIPM; Consultant in
Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinical Lead, NHS Grampian
Amanda Mansfield, BSc (Hons); MSc; RM;
Consultant Midwife
Dr. Joyshri Sarangi, MBBS (Lond.); MBA; MRCP (UK);
MRCGP; FFPH; Consultant in Communicable Disease Control
