Here’s where to get advice and support, plus the latest information and answers to any questions you might have about Covid-19 in relation to pregnancy, labour, birth and the early stages of parenting. 

This list has over 70 national and local helplines and other online support services provided by charities. The support is listed by charity name, in alphabetical order, with details of the type of support the charity offers, contact numbers, opening hours and website addresses. The list of charities offering remote support is growing and the information will be regularly updated. 

The information for pregnant women and new parents during COVID-19 is being regularly updated by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. 

Unicef’s Baby Friendly Initiative offers breastfeeding and formula feeding guidance. You can also find links and phone numbers to breastfeeding and formula feeding charities.

The advice for pregnant women is - in general - the same as for everyone: to make it less likely that you catch the virus, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds often, and always wash your hands when you get home or into work, college or school and before you eat.

Your questions about the virus and the health of your baby are addressed in the link above. Because pregnancy makes you generally more susceptible to infection, pregnant women (even those without underlying conditions) have been included in the Vulnerable Groups category and are advised to take extra precautions in terms of social distancing. Click the Vulnerable Groups link to find out more.

You might find it useful to receive encouraging daily updates from Baby Buddy about all aspects of your physical and mental health. You can visit GET HELP in the app for a button that clicks through to a free and confidential text-based service, which provides 24/7 support for anyone feeling extremely anxious or overwhelmed. You can also text from the orange button on our home page HERE

If you are worried about your mental health talk to your midwife, GP or health visitor. You do not need to feel concerned that your healthcare professional might judge you and worry about your ability to parent. Mental health problems in pregnancy, even in ordinary circumstances, are much more common than many people realise and healthcare professionals work to help mothers to feel well again. You can trust your healthcare professionals as they are there to support you.

See up-to-date general guidance here:

NHS symptom checker and social isolation

NHS Coronavirus and pregnancy

We will update this page regularly to add anything that might be useful. Please make use of the support that is available should you need it.