We offer a range of clinics and services to support you when planning a family, from preconception advice to postnatal care.
Antenatal Care
Your Pregnancy, Your Choice
When you first learn that you’re pregnant you can either contact your GP, or be referred to our midwife via reception.
Useful Information, Advice, Resources and Contact Details:
Maternity – Gateshead Health – 0191 445 2763
How many appointments you’ll have
Your first visit and booking appointment
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
Limited supplies of free condoms
Free emergency contraception
Confidential advice about STIs
Cervical screening
Unplanned pregnancy advice
Free pregnancy tests
Pre-conception advice and fertility awareness information
Fitting and checking of caps, diaphragms, and coils (intrauterine devices, or IUDs)
Please book an appointment (through reception or via our online services) with your GP to discuss any of the above in more detail.
Alternatively please visit the sexual health clinic in Trinity Square Gateshead
Gateshead Sexual Health – Home Page – Sexual Health Gateshead
Useful links
Emergency Contraception
If you’ve forgotten to take your pill, your condom split or you’ve had unprotected sex and you don’t wish to be pregnant we would advise emergency contraception. The sooner you take it the better; ideally within 3 days of unprotected sex but sometimes up to 5 days after ovulation.
Emergency contraception is available free
Gateshead Sexual Health – Home Page – Sexual Health Gateshead
Some Pharmacies (some will charge)
If you’ve had unprotected sex or your condom failed, it is also really important to consider your risk for sexually transmitted infections and to think about your long-term contraception needs.
Please attend Gateshead Sexual Health – Home Page – Sexual Health Gateshead
Emergency contraception is available as a tablet or a ‘coil’ (Intrauterine Device – IUD). The IUD is more effective. The healthcare professional you see will be able to advise you, depending on your preference, risk or pregnancy, medical conditions, medication and when your last period was.
More information about your choices is available from:
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. This is in the form of a 6-8 week baby check and a 6 week postnatal check for the mum. Please make appointments to see the Doctor for these. Once completed, you can book appointments with the nurse for your baby’s vaccinations.
During your postnatal care you will find out about feeding, potty training, illnesses, safety and more. You will be able to ask your health visitor questions and request advice.
Useful links
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