Planning a Family

We offer a range of clinics and services here at SHP to support you when planning a family, from preconception advice to postnatal care.

Antenatal Care

Antenatal care is the care and help you receive from health professionals during the course of your pregnancy. It is important you take good care of your own health and that of your unborn baby during pregnancy.

Appointments for antenatal checks will normally take place both at the GP practice and at the hospital depending on how far along in the pregnancy you are.

Useful links
The Pregnancy Care Planner
NHS Choices – Antenatal Care

Family Planning

Our family planning clinics offer free, confidential advice and information about contraception and sexual health.

We provide a range of services including:

Confidential advice about contraception
The combined oral contraceptive pill
The Progestogen-only pill
Progestogen injections
Free emergency contraception
Confidential advice about STIs
Cervical screening
Unplanned pregnancy advice
Pre-conception advice and fertility awareness information
Fitting and coils (intrauterine devices, or IUDs) and contraceptive implants (SDIs)

Please book an appointment (through reception or via our online services) with your GP to discuss any of the above in more detail.

For more information please visit the websites below:

Useful links
NHS Choices – Planning a Pregnancy
NHS Choices – The Facts about Contraception
Sexwise – excellent site about Contraception, Pregnancy and STIs

Neo-natal Care

Some newborn babies are released from the hospital without a detailed examination. If this is the case, our GPs are happy to perform the relevant checks, either in the surgery or in comfort of your own home, depending on which is easier for you.
In most cases, the Practice will contact new mums to arrange for this to happen, on rare occasions where we are unaware of the birth, please feel free to give us a call and arrange an appointment or visit.

Postnatal Care

Postnatal care extends for between 6-8 weeks after the birth of your baby. During this period, routine checks are carried out by the health visitor and you and your baby’s recovery is monitored.

During your postnatal care you can find out about feeding, potty training, illnesses, safety and more. You will be able to ask your health visitor questions and request advice.

You can also book a GP appointment for a postnatal check about 6 weeks after the birth. This would cover areas such as feeding, healing, contraception and other queries you may have about your recovery.

Useful links
NHS Choices – Birth to 5 years old guide
NHS – Breastfeeding Guide
Netmums – Information and support

Preconception Advice

If you are planning to have a baby or you need to know more information about how to look after yourself and your unborn baby, please book an appointment with your GP.
We can provide you with all the information you need to know to have a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Useful links
NHS Choices – Before you try to get pregnant
NHS Choices – Pregnancy Care Planner
NHS Choices – See how your baby will develop
NHS Choices Tool – Work out your due date