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About me

Personalised care and support plans

Personalised care and support plans

1.  I would like to talk to my midwife or doctor about things that happened during my pregnancy. These are:

2.  I would like to talk to my midwife or doctor about things that happened during labour and birth. These are:

3.  I would like to talk to my midwife or doctor about things that happened after the birth. These are:

1. Have you watched UNICEF’s ‘Meeting your baby for the first time’ video?

(Find this in the Caring for your baby/Babies and sleep section.)

• yes
• no
• I am not sure/I would like to know more.

2. Skin-to-skin contact with your baby after birth and beyond is recommended for all. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of the benefits of skin-to-skin contact
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

3. All women are given information about the value of breastfeeding, and how to get infant feeding off to a good start. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of the value of breastfeeding
• I am aware of how to get feeding off to a good start
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

4. Babies often show early signs that they might be ready to feed. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of the signs to look out for that my baby might be ready to feed
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

5. Visiting hours at your maternity unit can vary. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I have checked visiting times and I am aware of who can visit me after birth
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

6. In some maternity units your birth partner(s) can stay with you in all areas, 24 hours a day. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of my maternity unit’s local policy on birth partners staying with me
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

7. Thinking about having things ready at home.

8. Thinking about who will be able to support you after giving birth when at home.

9. Being prepared for your physical recovery after giving birth can help to get you and your new family off to the best start, I am aware of the following matters:

• physical/physiological changes to expect
• postnatal pain relief options
• the importance of hand hygiene
• signs of infection and what to do
• pelvic floor exercises
• my options for long-acting contraception
• physical recovery after a caesarean birth
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

10. Giving birth and becoming a parent is known to be a time of great emotional change, being aware of how you might feel after birth can help you to prepare. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of the emotional changes to be expected
• I have considered what my family/friends can do to support me
• I know how to access support with my emotional and mental health after giving birth
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

11. Feelings I and my family should look out for include:

• persistent sadness/low mood
• lack of energy/feeling overly tired
• feeling unable to look after my baby/feeling disassociated from my baby
• problems concentrating or making decisions
• changes in appetite
• feelings of guilt, hopelessness or self-blame
• difficulty bonding with my baby
• problems sleeping or extreme energy
• loss of interest in things I normally like
• having unpleasant thoughts that I can’t control or keep coming back
• suicidal feelings or thoughts of self-harm
• repeating actions or developing strict rituals.

12. Things to consider before going home include:

• how to tell if your baby is feeding well
• signs of an unwell baby and what to do if you’re worried
• changes to expect in your baby’s nappy.

13. Things to consider for when you are at home include:

• safe sleeping practices (sudden infant death syndrome prevention)
• newborn jaundice – what’s normal, and what might need assessing by a healthcare professional
• the newborn blood spot screening test
• umbilical cord care and skin care
• bathing your baby.

14. Community postnatal care is delivered in a variety of settings and by a multidisciplinary team of health and social care professionals. I am aware of the following services:

• community postnatal care
• how to contact my local community midwives
• how to contact my health visitor
• how to access additional infant feeding support
• how to access services in my local Children’s Centres
• I am not sure/I would like to know more.

15. My responsibilities after the birth, include:

• register my baby’s birth within six weeks
• register my baby with my GP
• book a postnatal check with my GP at six-eight weeks after the birth for both me and my baby
• arrange for further tests at my GP surgery (If recommended by my midwife or doctor).

16.  If you have a pre-existing medical condition or if you were unwell around the time of your birth, you may have specific medical recommendations made by your doctors. Tick all comments that applies to you:

• none
• I have a pre-existing medical condition and I have discussed my specific postnatal care requirements with my doctor and midwife
• I experienced complications/was unwell around the birth, I am aware of the implications this may have on my postnatal care
• I am not sure / I would like to know more.

17.  If you have a named support worker or social worker, do you have their contact details? Are you aware of the support/plan of care you will be receiving from them once you are home. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware and have all the contact details I may need
• I am aware of how/who to access support from if required for my personal, social,emotional, psychological and mental health after I have given birth
• I am not sure/I would like some help with this

1.  I am aware of my three choices of birth setting (home, birth centre and labour ward) and have had a discussion with my midwife/doctor about which option is recommended for me. I would prefer to give birth:

• at home
• in a birth centre
• in a labour ward
• I prefer to wait and see
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

2. My birth partner(s) will be:

3. Student midwives/doctors may be working with the team when I have my baby. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am happy for a student to be present during my labour/birth
• I prefer that no students are present during my labour/birth
• I prefer to wait and see
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

4.  I have additional requirements. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I will need help to translate into my language
• I have allergies and/or special dietary requirements
• I have religious beliefs and customs that I would like to be observed
• I/my partner have additional needs.

5. I have had a discussion with my midwife/doctor about how I would like to give birth.

6. In some circumstances, your midwife or doctor may recommend starting your labour artificially, instead of waiting for it to start naturally (this is known as induction of labour). Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of why an induction might be recommended
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

7. During labour and birth I would consider the following coping strategies/pain relief. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I prefer to avoid all pain relief
• self-hypnosis/hypnobirthing
• aromatherapy/homeopathy/reflexology
• water (bath or birthing pool)
• TENS machine (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
• gas and air (entonox)
• pethidine/diamorphine/meptid (opioid injection)
• epidural
• I prefer to wait and see
• I am not sure/would like to find out more.

8. During labour and birth I would consider using the following options to help me:

• massage
• walking/standing
• different upright positions such as all fours/squatting/kneeling
• a birthing ball
• bean bags, birth stools and birth couches if available
• a birthing pool
• a bed, for rest – propped up with pillows or whilst lying on my side
• music to be played (which I will provide)
• the lights dimmed
• my birth partner taking photographs/filming
• I prefer to wait and see
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

9. During labour and birth, it is recommended that your baby’s heartbeat is monitored. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I prefer to have intermittent fetal heart rate monitoring with a handheld device
• I prefer to have continuous fetal heart rate monitoring using a CTG machine
• if I need continuous monitoring I would like to be mobile and use wireless monitoring if available
• I prefer to wait and see
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

10. During labour, your midwife and/or doctor may recommend vaginal examinations to assess the progress of your labour. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of why vaginal examinations are part of routine care
• I prefer to avoid vaginal examinations if possible
• I prefer to wait and see
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more

11. In some circumstances, your midwife or doctor may recommend interventions to assist with your labour. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of why assistance/intervention might be recommended
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more

12. In some circumstances, your maternity team may intervene by recommending an assisted or caesarean birth. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I understand why an assisted birth might be recommended
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

13. In some circumstances, your midwife or doctor may recommend a cut to the perineum to facilitate birth (episiotomy). Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I understand why an episiotomy might be recommended
• I prefer to avoid an episiotomy
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

14. After your baby is born, your placenta will be expelled (this is known as the third stage of labour). Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I would like to have a natural (physiological) third stage, the cord is left intact and I push the placenta out myself
• I would like to have an active third stage, where the cord is cut after a few minutes and I receive an injection of oxytocin, the midwife/doctor delivers my placenta
• I prefer to wait and see
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more
• I/my birth partner would like to cut the umbilical cord
• I prefer the midwife/doctor to cut the umbilical cord.

15. Skin-to-skin contact with your baby – immediately after birth – is recommended for all. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I understand why skin-to-skin contact is recommended
• I would like immediate skin-to-skin contact
• I prefer to wait and see
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

16. I am aware that I will be provided with support to feed my baby. Add my thoughts around feeding in the text box below.

17. After my baby is born, he or she will be offered Vitamin K. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I would like my baby to have Vitamin K by injection
• I would like my baby to have Vitamin K by oral drops
• I do not want my baby to have Vitamin K
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

1.  I have a long-term health condition that may affect my pregnancy. I have:

• diabetes
• epilepsy
• mental health problems
• high blood pressure
• heart problems
• asthma
• hypo/hyperthyroidism
• other
• none.

2. Bladder and bowel problems are common and can get worse in pregnancy. Support is available. Please discuss with your GP, midwife or doctor if you experience any of the following:

• leakage of urine
• problems holding wind (gas)
• unable to control the loss of stool (poo)
• bleeding from the back passage
• pain or bleeding during or after sex (intercourse)
• affected by Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

3. It is recommended that you discuss pre-existing medical conditions and/or special requirements with your GP, midwife or doctor prior to becoming pregnant or in early pregnancy. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I have discussed my pre-existing medical condition(s) with my maternity team
• I require further support with my medical condition(s) or special needs
• I am aware that in certain circumstances my midwife or health care professional may need to communicate with my GP or health visitor
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

4. I am taking the following medication and/or supplements. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of the recommendations and I have discussed this with my GP, doctor or midwife
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

5. I have additional requirements. These are:

• I will need help at appointments to translate into my language
• I have allergies and/or special dietary requirements
• I have religious beliefs and customs that I would like to be observed
• I/my partner have additional needs
• I have a current or previous history of social care involvement
• I would like to speak to the midwife about something else in a private setting

6. It is recommended that you avoid some foods whilst pregnant, as they can cause harm to you and your unborn baby. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of what foods to avoid in pregnancy
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

7. It is recommended that you try to maintain a healthy and balanced diet in pregnancy. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of my nutritional needs in pregnancy
• I have specific circumstances that affect my dietary requirements and I would like guidance from my maternity team
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

8. For the majority of women, regular light to moderate exercise is recommended in pregnancy. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of the recommendations about exercise
• I have a condition that affects my ability to exercise and I would like guidance from my maternity team
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

9. For the health and wellbeing of you and your baby, you are advised not to smoke, drink alcohol or use recreational drugs in pregnancy. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of advice around the consumption of alcohol, tobacco/nicotine products and recreational/illegal drugs
• I am aware that smoking increases the chances of having a miscarriage and increases the risk of having a baby born too early, underweight or stillborn
• I am aware that all pregnant women are offered carbon monoxide screening during pregnancy and support to quit for those who smoke
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more

10. I have a long term mental health condition that may affect my pregnancy. I have:

• anxiety
• depression
• eating disorder
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• personality disorder
• bipolar affective disorder (also known as manic depression or mania)
• schizoaffective disorder
• schizophrenia or any other psychotic illness
• postpartum psychosis
• any other mental health condition for which you have seen a psychiatrist or other mental health professional.

11. This is how I’m feeling at the moment.

12. Getting to know your baby during pregnancy helps to build strong parental relationships, and will also help with your emotional wellbeing. You can try the following:

• talking, singing or playing music to your unborn baby
• gently massaging your bump
• writing a journal
• pregnancy yoga and/or hypnobirthing
• using an app to track your baby’s growth and development
• reading UNICEF’s ‘Building a happy baby guide’.

13. I am aware of things I can do to enhance my emotional wellbeing. Tick the comment that will help you the most:

• take regular gentle exercise, such as pregnancy yoga, walking or swimming
• ensure I eat well
• try relaxation techniques, listening to music, meditation or breathing exercises
• take time for myself, somewhere I can relax
• talk to someone I trust – friend, family, midwife, GP or doctor
• ask for practical help with household chores or other children.

14. Specialist support for pregnant women with anxiety and depression or any other mental health condition is available. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am aware of how to access mental health support if I need it whilst pregnant
• I am not sure/I would like to find out more.

15. Emotions my partner, family and I should look out for include:

• tearfulness
• feeling overwhelmed
• feeling irritable or arguing more often
• difficulty concentrating
• change in appetite
• problems sleeping or extreme energy
• feeling very anxious
• racing thoughts
• loss of interest in things I normally like
• being so afraid of birth that I don’t want to go through with it
• having unpleasant thoughts that I can’t control or keep coming back
• suicidal feelings or thoughts of self-harm
• repeating actions or developing strict rituals
• lack of feeling towards my unborn baby.

16. Thinking about contraceptive choices. Tick the comment that applies to you:

• I am not sure what to choose/I would like to find out more
• I would like to wait until after my baby is born to think about this
• I am aware that immediate postnatal contraception is available after my baby is born. My choice is stated in the box below.