Pregnancy, birth and support with a new baby — Easy Read

Finding out and deciding what you want

A positive pregnancy test can bring different feelings. If you are unsure what to do, ask a GP, midwife or sexual health service for confidential information about your options. You can ask to speak privately and bring a chosen supporter when you want. Being a person with a learning disability does not decide your wishes or remove the need to involve you. Use the contraception and parenting guides alongside this page.

Contact maternity services early

You can usually refer yourself to NHS maternity services without first seeing a GP. The NHS referral finder covers services in England. Ask for a telephone or other accessible route if the online form does not work for you. The first appointment should happen by 10 weeks where possible; if you are further along, still contact the service promptly. If you take medicines or have an existing health condition, also contact your GP or specialist. Do not stop prescribed medicines on your own.

Make appointments and information accessible

Explain what helps you understand, remember and express your views. Ask about Easy Read information, pictures, demonstrations, extra time, quieter appointments or a communication professional. Request that these needs are recorded and acted on at later appointments. You might want a familiar supporter, but staff should still speak to you directly. Agree safe contact methods and ask for appointment details you can use. A label such as learning disability does not explain all your access needs.

Understand checks and choices

Your midwife will discuss your health, home situation and the checks, scans and screening offered. Ask what each appointment or test is for, what will happen, what the results could mean and what choices you have. You can ask for an explanation again and time to consider a decision where possible. Tell the team about pain, distress, previous experiences or medicines. Do not wait for your next routine appointment if you are worried about your health or the baby. Staff should explain tests, examinations and treatment and ask for your consent. If you can make the particular decision, you can accept or refuse. A learning disability does not by itself mean you cannot decide; ask for the support you need.

Prepare for birth in your own way

A birth plan records preferences such as who is with you, communication, surroundings, pain relief and feeding. Discuss the reasons, benefits and risks of options with the maternity team. Plans may need to change; ask staff to explain new choices and involve you. You could ask to visit the birth setting or practise asking for a pause. Include sensory needs and how you show pain or disagreement, rather than expecting staff to guess.

Learn baby-care tasks with suitable help

Ask about antenatal teaching you can use: one-to-one sessions, small groups, demonstrations and repeated practice may help. Local availability differs. Practise with the actual equipment where possible, and ask for clear instructions about feeding, safe sleep, washing and changing. Your midwife or health visitor should explain the current advice. Needing teaching or ongoing assistance does not by itself mean you cannot parent. Explain what you can do, what you want to learn and what help must continue.

Agree practical support before going home

Ask who will help with your recovery, meals, medicines, personal care, transport and the baby’s care, including at night. Check that anyone named has agreed and can provide the support safely. Discuss your own adult care needs and any family support with the relevant teams. Ask for a named contact and a written plan showing tasks, start dates and backup arrangements. Do not treat an informal promise as confirmation of a funded service.

Your health after birth matters too

Midwives and health visitors support recovery and the baby’s early development. Confirm visits and how to contact the team between them. Tell them about pain, bladder or bowel problems, feeding difficulties, exhaustion, anxiety or feeling persistently low. Ask for help that fits your communication. You can ask a supporter to notice changes with you, without replacing your own account. Plan postnatal follow-up and ask about contraception when you are ready to discuss it.

Know the urgent contact plan

Before leaving maternity care, save the correct number for urgent maternity or newborn concerns and ask how to contact it accessibly. Follow the maternity team’s urgent advice rather than waiting for a scheduled visit. NHS advice says to call 999 for sudden very heavy bleeding after birth, especially with faintness, dizziness or a pounding heart. Call 999 for another life-threatening emergency too. A message to a routine inbox may not be read quickly.

If support is missing or you feel unheard

Ask the midwife or service manager to explain what can be changed and when. Ask about independent advocacy and the hospital’s patient advice service. Keep requests, responses and important dates. The existing parents and family-court guides explain separate routes if children’s services become involved. A diagnosis alone is not a parenting assessment, but concerns about a child’s safety must still be considered. Ask workers to explain the actual concern and support proposed.

Pregnancy and having a baby

Your choices matter

Contact a midwife

Tell the team what helps

Prepare for appointments

Understand your choices

You can make your own decision

Make a birth plan

Practise baby-care tasks

Plan help at home

Your health matters

Know when to get urgent help

Ask for help to speak up

What you can do next

More useful links