Maternity feedback
Maternity helpline
If you think you are in labour, your waters have broken, you are bleeding, or you have concerns about your baby’s movements then please call our maternity helpline on 020 8934 2802.
Our helpline is available to all women who are 18 weeks pregnant or more. The dedicated phone is answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please call the helpline if you have urgent concerns.
If you have given birth and are worried that your baby is unwell, please urgently call your GP or take your baby to the nearest Emergency Department.
If your concern is not urgent, please call your midwifery team. The number for your team is on the front of your hand-held notes or, if you have given birth, in your discharge pack.
If you want to change or schedule an antenatal appointment, please call 020 8934 2290.
When you call the helpline, a senior midwife will ask you some questions. Please tell us anything about yourself or your baby that you think it is important we should know.
You may be asked to attend the Maternity Unit or you may be advised to remain at home.
If you attend the Maternity Unit, it is important that you bring your handheld maternity notes with you. You are welcome to attend with a support partner.
If you have been asked to attend Triage, you will be seen by a midwife for an initial assessment within 15 minutes of arrival.
Your care is then prioritised according to need. You may be asked to wait in the waiting room for ongoing care. We prioritise care based on each person’s level of clinical need, not their order of arrival. This may mean that people who arrive after you are seen before you.
We appreciate your patience and understanding – this helps us to provide safe and effective care.
If you are less than 18 weeks and have any concerns, please contact your GP.
In an emergency, visit your local Emergency Department.
Call 4 Concern© (C4C) is a patient safety service enabling patients and families to call for immediate help and advice when they feel concerned that the healthcare team has not recognised their own or a loved one’s changing condition and they are becoming more unwell. Contact the team if you have ongoing concerns after you have spoken to the ward nurse or doctor:
Designated team for maternity inpatients – 07385 949039.
Read more about Martha’s Rule on the NHS England website.
Read our Call 4 Concern patient information leaflet