Maternity Services

Antenatal care is essential for a healthy pregnancy. In Lincolnshire, you can access antenatal clinics through your GP practice or directly via NHS maternity services. These clinics provide:

• Routine pregnancy check-ups to monitor your health and your baby’s development.
• Screening and diagnostic tests, including blood tests and ultrasound scans.
• Advice on nutrition, lifestyle, and managing pregnancy symptoms.
• Specialist support for high-risk pregnancies at Lincoln County Hospital and Pilgrim Hospital Boston, with referral to regional centres if needed.

You can self-refer online to NHS maternity services without needing a GP appointment. Your first midwife appointment should ideally take place by 10 weeks of pregnancy. 

Birchwood Sure Start Children's Centre, Birchwood Ave, Birchwood, Lincoln LN6 0JE

• Opening Hours: Mon–Thu: 8:30am – 4:30pm and Fri: 8:30am – 4:00pm (Closed weekends)
• Call: 01522 689991
• Email: birchwoodcc@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Birchwood Sure Start Children's Centre is part of Lincolnshire’s Family Hubs programme and provides a wide range of free services for families from pregnancy through age five. Here’s what they offer:

Core Services

• Early Years Sessions: Activities designed to support child development and learning.
• Antenatal Education: Classes and advice for expectant parents.
• Baby Massage: Sessions promoting bonding and relaxation.
• Start for Life Support: Guidance during pregnancy, birth, and the first two years of a child’s life.
• Health Visitor Appointments: Can be arranged at the centre.

Special Features

• Sensory Room: Includes bubble tube, ball pool, fibre optic lights, and treasure baskets (free to book for family use).
• Borrow Bags: Sensory bags, story bags, and treasure baskets available for loan.
• Outdoor Play Areas: Two gardens with sand pit, elephant slide, and climbing net.

Inclusive Activities

• Holiday Fun Sessions: For older siblings (up to 8 years) during school holidays.
• Parent Groups & Training: Accredited courses (e.g., first aid, food hygiene) and informal sessions like pampering or “grow your own.”
• Support for Children with Disabilities: “Time to Play” sessions for 0–5 years, offering learning and respite for parents.

Community midwives provide care throughout your pregnancy and after birth. They offer:

• Antenatal visits at home or in clinics.
• Support during labour and birth, whether at home or hospital.
• Postnatal care for up to 28 days after birth.

Visit Better Births Lincolnshire website, which provides information on birth options and local maternity resources.

Health visitors are qualified nurses or midwives who support families from late pregnancy until your child starts school. Their role includes:

• Antenatal visit around 28 weeks to introduce the service.
• New birth visit at home when your baby is 10–14 days old.
• Developmental checks at 6–8 weeks, 9–12 months, and 2–2.5 years.
• Advice on feeding, sleep, safety, and emotional wellbeing.

You can contact Lincolnshire’s Health Visiting Service via the Children’s Health Single Point of Access on 01522 843000. For more details: Lincolnshire Health Visitors Service.

Please note: Health visitors are not based at the medical practice.

Postnatal care focuses on your recovery and your baby’s health. Services include:

• Physical and emotional wellbeing checks for mothers.
• Infant feeding support, including breastfeeding advice.
• Contraception and family planning guidance.
• Specialist support for mental health and baby development.

Your community midwife will visit you for the first few weeks, then your health visitor will take over. For additional support, see the Postnatal Toolkit or United Lincolnshire Hospitals Postnatal Resources.