There are different sources of support available to you during your pregnancy and following birth. Please see the information below.

If you have any questions after you give birth, you can speak to your midwife. We also have a team of Professional Midwifery Advocates (PMAs) who will be happy to help.

Who are PMAs? They are experienced practicing Midwives who have undertaken additional training to enable them to support Midwives in their practice and professional development. They work as a team and are employed by the Trust.

What is the role of a PMA? To support and guide midwives so they can deliver consistent, high quality, safe maternity care to you and your baby.

How can PMAs help you?

  • Support the midwife in the care she gives you
  • Offer a Birth Reflection appointment if you would like to understand the timeline events surrounding your birth. A PMA can go through your maternity notes with you.

How do I contact a PMA? 

For most queries and concerns, your Midwife is the best person to talk to. Our PMA team can be contacted Monday-Friday, 9-5pm. Out of hours you can leave a voicemail or email and a member of the team will be in contact with you.

Birth reflections

If you would like to arrange a birth reflection appointment with a PMA, you can talk to your Midwife who can contact us, or you can phone or email us directly and a PMA will contact you to arrange an appointment. Our Birth Reflection clinics are held weekly, by appointment.

Losing a baby at any stage of pregnancy is heart-breaking, here at Kingston Maternity Unit we wish to offer you our sincere condolences on the death of your baby/babies.

Every parents’ experience is very individual and their circumstances are different, but the death of a baby is a very distressing experience and one that is generally unexpected. Losing a baby brings grief that is much deeper than you may have ever experienced before and can last much longer that most people expect. There is no time limit to grief, so take it one day at a time. All Midwives at Kingston are trained in Bereavement care, so they can support you through your labour and birth.

Emotional support, practical guidance and information on all funeral options are also available to you.

Additional support

Kingston Bereavement Service Kingston - a registered charity providing support and counselling to anyone who lives, works or studies in Kingston. A referral for counselling will be required from your GP if you require counselling to be fully funded. It you wish you can access the service independently but will be asked to contribute to the cost of your counselling.

The Miscarriage Association - support for parents following miscarriage up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Helpline: Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm: 01924 200 799

Twins Trust (Previously TAMBA) - a bereavement support group for those affected by the loss of one or more babies of multiple pregnancies. Telephone 0800 138 0509.

Surrey Sands provide more local support and advice and can match families with a befriender who has had a similar experience to provide telephone support. Group meetings are also offered. Helpline: 07817 410075, please leave a message and the chairman will return your call. 

National SANDS - Helpline: Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm and also Tues and Thurs 6-10pm. 0207 436 5881

Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) - specialised support to parents before, during and after the prenatal testing process; when they are told their unborn baby has an anomaly; when they are making difficult decisions about continuing with or ending a pregnancy, and when they are coping with complex and painful issues after making a decision, including bereavement. Helpline: Mon-Fri, 10am-5.30pm: 0845 077 2290 / 0207 713 7486 

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy is a membership organisation and a registered charity that sets standards for therapeutic practice and provides information for therapists, clients of therapy, and the general public.

The Mariposa Trust is for anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby during pregnancy, at birth or in infancy. 

Domestic abuse is any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality.

This can encompass, but is not limited to, psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse.

30% of domestic violence starts in pregnancy. Two women are killed each week in England and Wales by a current or former partner. On average a woman will be assaulted by a partner 35 times before reporting it to the police

How do our staff respond to women who they may feel are victims of Domestic abuse?

As it is estimated that a third of domestic violence starts or escalates during pregnancy, all health professionals working with pregnant women have had training to understand what the needs of those at risk of experiencing domestic abuse are.

It is important for midwives to provide a supportive and enabling environment, where the issue of abuse is raised with every pregnant woman during your antenatal check ups. Your midwife will be able to provide information about specialist agencies.  If you feel unable to tell your midwife then there is information below about who you can talk to.

Children are also at risk of harm if there is domestic abuse within a family, our professionals have to follow local and national safeguarding guidance.

What to do if you feel you may be experiencing domestic abuse:

  • Call police on 999, if in immediate danger.
  • If its a non-emergency the number to call is 101
  • Call your midwife for support.
  • Call your local domestic abuse service (see details below)

Local helpline numbers:

Kingston: The DV Hub 020 8547 6046 (Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm).  The Kingston Domestic Violence Hub (DV Hub) is home to a team of independent domestic violence caseworkers and domestic and sexual violence advocates who can help you work out what is the best next step for you.

Richmond: Refuge IDVA and Outreach Service,  020 8943 8188

Sutton: 020 78011777

Surrey:  yourSanctuary Surrey 24 hour helpline: 01483 776822

National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000 247

One Stop Shops

If the situation is not urgent (you are not in immediate danger) then attending your local One Stop Shop can be really helpful and supportive. The idea of the One Stop Shop is to offer all the advice and support needed under one roof, this is an example of what the Kingston One Stop Shop offers:

  • Kingston: Opening times: every Monday from 9.30am to 12.30pm, Kingsgate Church, 161a Clarence Street, Kingston, KT1 1QT. The entrance can be found around the side of Barcadia
  • Richmond: Every Thursday at St John the Divine Church Hall, Kew Road, Richmond TW9 2NA,
  • a short walk from Richmond train station, from 10am to 1pm.
  • Merton: Mondays from 9.30am – 12.00 noon at Morden Baptist Church, Crown Lane, Morden, Surrey SM4 5BL (closed on bank holiday Mondays). For more information call 020 7801 1777
  • Sutton: The drop-in service is every Wednesday, 9.30am – 11.30am at the Sutton Baptist Church, 21 Cheam Road, Sutton, SM1 1SN
  • Wandsworth: Every Monday (except Bank Holidays), 10am to 12.30pm, St. Mark’s, Battersea Rise, SW11 1EJ. A phone line will be available during opening hours: 07884 340117.
  • Surrey: yourSanctuary Surrey 24 hour helpline: 01483 776822
  • East Surrey Outreach, serving Reigate and Banstead, Mole Valley and Tandridge including Salfords, Dorking, Leatherhead and Oxted: 01737 771350 
  • yourSanctuary Outreach, serving Woking, Runnymede and Surrey Heath including Chertsey, Addlestone, Egham and Byfleet: 01483 776822
  • North Surrey Outreach, serving Epsom and Ewell, Elmbridge and Spelthorne including Cobham, Oxshott, Staines and Ashford: 01932 260690
  • South West Surrey Outreach, serving Guildford and Waverley including Godalming, Farnham and Merrow: 01483 577392