Best for Antenatal care, scans, maternity assessment, urgent pregnancy symptoms and finding local NHS care
Direct help Yes: local maternity services, NHS 111 and emergency services What it offers: Self-referral to maternity care, midwife appointments, scans, maternity assessment units, early pregnancy units and NHS 111 urgent triage.
Its purpose: Provides publicly funded pregnancy, birth and postnatal healthcare in England.
Phone NHS 111 for urgent non-emergency help; 999 for life-threatening emergencies
Address Local NHS maternity units throughout England The most important first route for clinical pregnancy care in England.
Official website for NHS Pregnancy and Maternity Services (England) (opens the official site) Help and contact for NHS Pregnancy and Maternity Services (England) (opens the official site) About for NHS Pregnancy and Maternity Services (England) (opens the official site)
Best for Planning pregnancy, pregnancy questions, mental health, pregnancy after loss and general reassurance
Direct help Yes: specialist midwife helpline What it offers: Specialist midwife helpline, pregnancy information, research, pregnancy calculators and support after pregnancy loss.
Its purpose: Funds research and provides trusted information/support to make pregnancy safer and improve pregnancy outcomes.
Phone Midwives’ Helpline: 0800 0147 800, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Address UK charity; postal/corporate details are available on the official contact page The helpline is non-urgent and cannot replace local maternity assessment for bleeding, pain or reduced fetal movements.
Official website for Tommy’s (opens the official site) Help and contact for Tommy’s (opens the official site) About for Tommy’s (opens the official site)
Best for Antenatal education, birth preparation, early parenthood and infant feeding
Direct help Yes: classes, local support and infant-feeding line What it offers: Antenatal/postnatal courses, local groups, evidence-based information, infant-feeding support and campaigning.
Its purpose: Supports parents through pregnancy, birth and early parenthood and helps them build confidence and community.
Phone Infant Feeding Line: 0300 330 0700, daily 8am-midnight
Address 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3AX, England Services include paid courses and free/low-cost support depending on location and program.
Official website for NCT (National Childbirth Trust) (opens the official site) Help and contact for NCT (National Childbirth Trust) (opens the official site) About for NCT (National Childbirth Trust) (opens the official site)
Best for Rights, consent, choice and respectful treatment during pregnancy and childbirth
Direct help Yes: free confidential advice service What it offers: Email advice, factsheets, rights education, training and policy advocacy.
Its purpose: Protects human rights in pregnancy and childbirth and helps people understand and assert their maternity-care rights.
Phone No advice phone line; media/general switchboard number may be listed but is not for advice Advice focuses on England and Wales law; it does not replace medical advice.
Official website for Birthrights (opens the official site) Help and contact for Birthrights (opens the official site) About for Birthrights (opens the official site)
Best for Perinatal anxiety, depression and other mental-health concerns during pregnancy/postpartum
Direct help Yes: peer-support callback, WhatsApp and groups What it offers: Bookable callbacks, WhatsApp support, peer groups, signposting and education.
Its purpose: Supports families affected by perinatal mental illness and helps people access compassionate peer support and appropriate services.
Phone WhatsApp: 07903 508334 (current public support page lists weekday hours); support callbacks booked online
Address The Fort, Artillery Business Park, Park Hall, Oswestry SY11 4AD, England Peer support, not an emergency or diagnostic service. Call 999 in immediate danger.
Official website for PANDAS Foundation UK (opens the official site) Help and contact for PANDAS Foundation UK (opens the official site) About for PANDAS Foundation UK (opens the official site)
Best for Breastfeeding support, medication and breastfeeding questions
Direct help Yes: 24/7 National Breastfeeding Helpline What it offers: National helpline, local peer support, Drugs in Breastmilk information and training.
Its purpose: Provides independent, evidence-based breastfeeding support and information to families.
Phone National Breastfeeding Helpline: 0300 100 0212 (24/7); general: 0141 848 9035
Address PO Box 11126, Paisley PA2 8YB, UK UK-wide service available to families in England.
Official website for The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) (opens the official site) Help and contact for The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) (opens the official site) About for The Breastfeeding Network (BfN) (opens the official site)
07 Action on Pre-eclampsia (APEC) UK pre-eclampsia charity
Best for Preeclampsia, pregnancy hypertension and information after a hypertensive pregnancy
Direct help Yes: confidential helpline What it offers: Confidential helpline, patient leaflets, professional education, awareness and support.
Its purpose: Raises awareness, supports families and health professionals, and works to improve pre-eclampsia care.
Phone 01386 761 848, Monday-Thursday 8:30am-4pm
Address The Stables, 80B High Street, Evesham, Worcestershire WR11 4EU, England If symptoms suggest pre-eclampsia, contact your midwife/maternity unit urgently; do not wait for a charity response.
Official website for Action on Pre-eclampsia (APEC) (opens the official site) Help and contact for Action on Pre-eclampsia (APEC) (opens the official site) About for Action on Pre-eclampsia (APEC) (opens the official site)
Best for Pregnancy discrimination, maternity leave/pay, benefits and access to maternity care
Direct help Yes: free advice line/email services What it offers: Maternity Rights Advice Line, rights-at-work guidance, maternity pay/benefits information and healthcare-access advice.
Its purpose: Protects and strengthens the rights, health and wellbeing of pregnant women, new parents and families.
Phone 0808 802 0029, weekdays except Wednesday, 10am-12pm
Address Unit 4, Wells House, 5-7 Wells Terrace, London N4 3JU, England Legal/information support, not medical advice.
Official website for Maternity Action (opens the official site) Help and contact for Maternity Action (opens the official site) About for Maternity Action (opens the official site)
Best for Morning sickness, severe nausea/vomiting and hyperemesis gravidarum
Direct help Yes: helpline/email and peer support What it offers: Freephone support, email help, peer support, specialist counselling resources and clinician/patient information.
Its purpose: Provides evidence-based information, practical support and advocacy for people affected by pregnancy sickness and HG.
Phone 0800 055 4361, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm For dehydration, inability to keep fluids down or severe symptoms, seek urgent clinical assessment.
Official website for Pregnancy Sickness Support (PSS) (opens the official site) Help and contact for Pregnancy Sickness Support (PSS) (opens the official site) About for Pregnancy Sickness Support (PSS) (opens the official site)
Best for Multiple pregnancy, birth preparation, neonatal journey and parenting multiples
Direct help Yes: Twinline and practical support What it offers: Twinline, pregnancy courses, online information, peer support, research and advocacy.
Its purpose: Supports families with twins, triplets and more from pregnancy through childhood.
Phone Twinline: 0800 138 0509 (Mon-Fri 10am-1pm and 7pm-10pm); office: 01252 332344
Address Manor House, Manor Park, Church Hill, Aldershot, Hampshire GU12 4JU, England UK-wide and useful to families in England.
Official website for Twins Trust (opens the official site) Help and contact for Twins Trust (opens the official site) About for Twins Trust (opens the official site)
