Having a baby that might be born with a condition

If you continue with your pregnancy after screening has found something, you might need extra care.

The care you and your baby need depends on the condition they have.

Support is available for any condition your baby has.

Your pregnancy care

You'll be offered all the regular checks and tests everyone has when they're pregnant.

And you'll be cared for by a team that's specially trained to support you and your baby's needs.

But depending on your baby's condition and what's available in your area, you may need to:

• go for extra scans or appointments
• see specialist doctors (obstetricians or paediatricians)
• travel further to a specialist hospital for appointments

You can bring your partner, a family member or friend with you.

It might help to write down any questions you have before you go.

Your birth plan

Everyone who's pregnant can make a birth plan. You'll usually talk this through with a midwife early in your pregnancy.

You can talk about:

• who you want with you during labour
• your options around pain relief
• your positions for labour and birth
• where's best to have your baby
• what care you and your baby may get

Find out more about making a birth plan

But depending on your baby's condition, you may need to make changes to your plan.

The charity SOFT UK can help you with making a birth plan if your baby might be born with a condition

Giving birth

You may have a higher chance of going into labour early. Or your baby may need more support when they're born.

This may mean you'll need to:

• give birth at a specialist hospital with intensive and special care baby units – the charity Bliss has more about the different levels of neonatal care
• give birth at hospital in a unit led by a doctor (obstetrician)
• have a caesarean instead of a vaginal birth
• have your baby earlier than your due date (by being induced or having a caesarean)

Speak to a doctor or midwife to find out your options.

The team are there to make sure you and your baby have all the support you need.

Read about what happens during labour and giving birth

After your baby is born

What happens after your baby is born depends on their condition and how severe it is. Your baby may need to:

• stay in hospital for a while after they're born
• have further treatment from a specialist doctor
• have further tests and checks as they get older

A doctor or midwife will explain the next steps for your baby's care.

Support is available

It can help to speak to:

• your partner, family or friends
• your midwife or specialist doctor
• a local support group
• charities for your baby's condition
• a counsellor – you do not need a referral from your GP (find out more about how to see a counsellor)

Charities that can help