{"id":3,"date":"2026-03-16T14:14:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T14:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/?page_id=3"},"modified":"2026-03-16T14:15:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T14:15:16","slug":"draft","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/maternity\/","title":{"rendered":"Maternity Services"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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MATERNITY SERVICES<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Welcome to Maternity Services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Being pregnant is a special time in your life and we will be right alongside you, all the way throughout your journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thinking of Having a Baby?<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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MATERNITY SERVICES<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pregnant – What Next?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you think you may be, or are sure you are pregnant, NHS Lothian Maternity Services will help and advise you on what you should do now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Your Next Steps<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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MATERNITY SERVICES<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking After Myself and my Growing Baby<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Diet, lifestyle and financial help and advice from NHS Lothian Maternity Services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Caring for Yourself & Your Baby<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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MATERNITY SERVICES<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where do I want to give birth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Learn more about your options and talk to your care providers about what the right choice is for you and your baby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Compare your birth place options<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Welcome to NHS Lothian Maternity Services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Each year, NHS Lothian provide care during pregnancy, birth and postnatally for around 8000 women, pregnant people and their babies. This website was designed in collaboration with parents to provide up-to-date information about your local maternity services in Edinburgh and the Lothians. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your Pregnancy Test is Positive – What Next?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once you are sure you are pregnant, the next step is to book an appointment with a midwife by calling NHS Lothian Maternity Services on 0300 7900 628<\/a> or booking your appointment online<\/a>. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4.45pm (excluding public holidays). Select the option for first booking appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We will ask you for some details, and give you an appointment with a midwife for around 8-10 weeks into your pregnancy & a scan appointment for 11-14 weeks. If you require an interpreter for the appointments this will also be booked at this time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Details of your appointments and this Pregnancy Booking Pack<\/strong><\/a> will be posted out to you within two weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information, see our leaflet Your Pregnancy Test is Positive – What Next?<\/a> or go to Pregnant \u2013 What Next?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When to contact maternity services during your pregnancy and important phone numbers<\/strong><\/h2>
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When<\/strong><\/th>Contact<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
To book your first appointment<\/strong> with a midwife<\/strong><\/td>0300 7900 628<\/a><\/a><\/strong>

Lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.45pm<\/td><\/tr>
If you are less than 12 weeks pregnant<\/strong> and are concerned about abdominal pain or bleeding<\/td>Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh \u2013 Pregnancy Support Centre
0131 242 2438<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
St John\u2019s Hospital \u2013 Early Pregnancy Unit
01506 524 015<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
If you are over 12 weeks pregnant<\/strong> and have urgent<\/strong> health concerns requiring same day assessment, such as vaginal bleeding or reduced movements of your baby<\/td>Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh \u2013 Triage (24hrs)
0131 242 2657<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
St John\u2019s Hospital \u2013 Labour Ward (24hrs)
01506 524 125<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
If you are over 37 weeks pregnant<\/strong> and you think you are in labour or your waters have broken<\/strong><\/td>Edinburgh Royal Infirmary \u2013 Labour Line (24hrs)
0131 242 2672<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
St John\u2019s Hospital \u2013 Labour Ward (24hrs)
01506 524 125<\/a><\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
If you have an emergency of a life-threatening nature, call 999 for an emergency ambulance.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Explore Our Services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Pregnancy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Next steps, maternity care, preparing for parenthood, your rights in pregnancy and your mental health<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Birth<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Types of birth, where you can have your baby, what might help you in labour and frequently asked questions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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New Baby<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your baby’s first few hours, feeding, postnatal wards, the Special Care Unit and care at home after you leave hospital<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Dads, Partners & Co-Parents<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Resources for new parents, tips for before and after baby is born and community groups <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Feeding Your Baby<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Nutrition for healthy development, community groups and supports and baby feeding cues<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Additional Languages <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Resources if English is not your first language or you would like information in a different format<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Information Leaflets, Videos<\/strong>, and Clinical Guidelines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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Read or download resources from NHS Lothian and Public Health Scotland, including Ready, Steady, Baby, Your pregnancy scans & tests, Birth options, Feeding your baby, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Watch videos about What might help you in labour, Recovering after a caesarean birth, Epidural pain relief,  Bathing your baby, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consult clinical guidelines issued by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)opens a new window<\/a> and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Information Leaflets and Videos<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Let Your Voice Be Heard<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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NHS Lothian wants to hear from you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We value your input and feedback. There are several ways to let us know what went well with your care and where we might improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you a dad, partner or co-parent? We value your feedback too. Please share your thoughts and suggestions with the Patient Experience Team or on Careopinion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What you tell us will help develop services that meet the needs of local families like yours. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Maternity Voices Partnership<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The MVP is a unique collaborative forum where the families who access maternity and neonatal services and the people who work for NHS Lothian get together to review these services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get Involved<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Maternity Care Survey<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Do you live in Edinburgh and the Lothians? Have you recently had a baby? NHS Lothian is keen to hear your views on your recent Maternity Services experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can do a short survey (5 min) or a longer survey  (15-20 min).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Short Survey<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Long Survey<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Patient Experience<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you have a personal comment, compliment or complaint, please contact NHS Lothian\u2019s Patient Experience Team. This is the central point for patient feedback for NHS Lothian. You can provide feedback over the phone, via email, in writing or in person. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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CareOpinion<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you wish to provide feedback anonymously, please contact CareOpinion. Unlike the Patient Experience Team it is not part of NHS Lothian but they will tell us about any stories that are shared there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Maternity Services Virtual Tour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This virtual tour will show you around one of our maternity wards to give you an idea of where you and how your baby will be cared for during and after labour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have units at St John’s Hospital, Livingston or The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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