Advice and support for expectant and new families

Get advice if you are pregnant, expecting a child or are a new family, including midwifery, health visitors, healthy eating and mental health support.

How to make a midwife appointment
Find support services to help you in your pregnancy.
Health Visiting Service
The NHS Health Visiting Service offers children and families routine health and development reviews, as well as additional support when it's needed.
Start for Life
Start for Life is a guide through pregnancy, birth and the first two years of being a parent. From conception, the first 1001 days of a child's life is the most important time for the development of a baby.
Support to be healthy during pregnancy
Find support services to help you stay healthy during pregnancy.
Where to give birth
Find out how to choose where you will give birth.
Register a birth
Find out how to register a birth in Brighton & Hove and book a birth registration appointment.
Re-register a birth
Find out about situations when you need to re-register a birth, and how to book an appointment to do so.

Parent and baby relationships

Bonding with your baby
Build a relationship with your baby and understand their needs.
Helping your toddler with their emotions
Support your toddler to manage their emotions.
Playtime and bonding activities for you and your toddler
Go to the NHS Start for Life website for ideas for activities you can do with your toddler during playtime and to help you to bond.

Mental health and parent-infant relationships

Perinatal mental health
An NHS Sussex partnership service supporting mothers who are experiencing, or who have previously experienced, severe mental health difficulties during pregnancy or up to a year after birth.
Mental health and pregnancy
Go to the the NHS Best Start in Life website for advice for looking after your mental health while pregnant.
Mental health after you've given birth
Go to the NHS Best Start in Life website for advice and support for looking after your mental health after birth.

Maternity and paternity rights

Maternity pay and leave
Go to the GOV.UK website to find out what pay and time off you may be eligible for when you have a baby.
Paternity and partner pay and leave
Go to the GOV.UK website to find out what pay and leave you may be eligible for when you and your partner are having a baby, adopting a child or having a baby through a surrogacy arrangement.