A midwife is available 24 hours a day to answer your questions.
Midwife emergency hotline:
020 3447 9400
(Please choose option 2)
If you are booked to have your baby at UCLH you can ask a UCLH midwife any questions you may have. Our maternity telephone line is staffed 24 hours a day by experienced midwives who can access your electronic medical records to better help with your query. The midwife will carry out an initial telephone assessment to determine the best course of action for you. This will be based on your history, what you tell us and how many weeks you are into your pregnancy.
If your problem is clinically urgent, for example you are in pain or think you may be in labour, please call our emergency telephone triage line on 020 3447 9400, selecting option 2.
We know that sometimes you will have a question that may not be urgent, but also cannot wait until you next see your midwife. We have answered the most frequently asked questions (FAQ) below. If your question is not listed here then please contact us.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
At UCLH we aim to complete your initial health assessment (booking appointment) by the 10th week of your pregnancy. To refer yourself to our service you will need to complete a self-referral form.
Please note that we will inform your GP of your pregnancy as part of information sharing with other health professionals who are or will be involved in your care. If you do not want us to do this please make a note on your referral form or speak to your midwife at your booking appointment.
At UCLH we aim to complete your health assessment (booking appointment) by the 10th week of your pregnancy. If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks from your referral please email uclh.
At UCLH the routine antenatal care pathway is in line with National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance. However, your midwife will consult you if at any time you need to be referred to one of our specialist clinics.
If your query is not an emergency, please email your question to uclh.
We will endeavour to respond to you within 2-3 working days.
If your problem is clinically urgent, for example you are in pain or think you may be in labour, please call our emergency telephone triage line on 020 3447 9400 selecting option 2.
We offer virtual antenatal Q&A session run by one of our midwives. This class will take place at 34-36 weeks of pregnancy. This class is offered to first time parents only. Please speak with reception staff when you next visit us.
Find out more about parentcraft (antenatal classes).
Your midwife will check your results. You will be contacted by your midwife on your chosen method of communication if any of your results are outside the normal range or if any extra tests need to be taken.
If you have a urine infection you will be asked to visit your GP for antibiotic treatment and your midwife will fax your results to your GP. If you have any questions regarding your results please contact us via the non-urgent email address uclh.
We will endeavour to respond to you within 2-3 working days.
You should also contact your GP directly if you experience any of the following:
- When it is not a pregnancy related issue
- Urine infection
- Backache (not related to labour)
- Flu or cold
If you have had chickenpox before there is nothing that you should do. If you are not sure if you had chickenpox we can check your antibodies from the blood tests taken at booking. Please call our maternity line on 020 3447 9400 and the midwife will arrange this for you.
If you are not immune you may be advised to have an injection to increase your immunity response.
It is important to avoid coming into hospital as other women may be at risk. Never bring in children if they are unwell, or if they have been in contact with another child who has an infectious disease.
Zika is a mosquito-borne infection caused by Zika virus (ZIKV). If you are worried that you may have been in contact with Zika virus please download our Zika virus information leaflet:
The Maternity Certificate (MAT B1) enables a pregnant woman to claim:
- Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from her employer
- Maternity Allowance (MA) from Jobcentre Plus
The certificate:
- verifies the pregnancy
- confirms the date of the expected week of confinement (EWC)
- confirms the actual date of birth when completed after confinement
Your midwife will sign the MAT B1 form for you at your 25 or 28 week appointment.
Ensure that you contact your GP in a timely manner to gain a fit to fly letter. Please note that you will need an antenatal check from a health professional to sign your fit to fly letter. We are unable to provide this on an ad hoc basis.
Read more about travelling in pregnancy and Air travel and pregnancy.
Please call our maternity line on 020 3447 9400, option 2, and the midwife will arrange serological testing on your antenatal booking bloods in order to check your immunity. If you are not immune we will arrange further testing and we might organise a specialist follow-up in addition to your routine maternity care.
It is important to avoid coming into hospital as other women may be at risk. Never bring in children if they are unwell, or if they have been in contact with another child who has an infectious disease.
