Pregnancy and Post Natal

We are here for you throughout your pregnancy and for the weeks and months after your baby is born. Below is an outline of the services we offer throughout this special time.

Pregnant

Pregnancy

Please click here to see the maternity services available her in East and North Hertfordshire. These are provided by East and North Hertfordshire Trust and you are able to self refer straight to their maternity team.

Portmill Surgery hosts a Community Midwife every Monday please see their webiste for more information on their services.

new mum

Routine Postnatal Checks

Once your baby has arrived, postnatal care extends for between 6-8 weeks. During this period, routine checks are carried out by the health visitor and you and your baby's recovery is monitored. Your health visitor can help you with queries around feeding, illnesses, safety and more. Click here to see more information on the health visitor service.

We also will see your for a check up. This is seperate from your baby's check up and is just for you. We aim to see you 6 weeks after giving birth, where you can discuss both your physical and mental health post birth. Please book this in with the surgery. This can be with any GP and is a 20 minute appointment. If you have any issues before 6 weeks, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

BABY CLINIC

8 week baby checks

Childhood Health Information Service (CHIS) notify us when your baby is due their 8 week check. We will then write to you and make an appointment with a GP first for the check up and then also an appointment with the nurses for their first immunisations. These clinics are held on Tuesday afternoons.

All new babies are invited for a regular check-up from eight weeks old. In order for this to happen, please register your baby as a patient at the surgery as soon as possible. We are unable to start the process until your child is a registered patient.

small child

Childhood Immunisations

We will invite your child for their immunisations following local child health guidance. Your children should start their immunisation protection from the age of 2 months. This will be performed at the surgery, usually at the baby’s first check. You will always have the chance to discuss the programme with our practice nurses at your baby’s first check up.

Your child's immunisation appointments will all be organised by CHIS (Childhood Health Information Service), who liaise directly with the surgery. You will then receive a letter from the surgery confirming your appointment. If you think you haven't received your letter, please call the surgery to check.

Each clinic will be held by 2 nurses to make the appointment as quick and pain free for your child as possible and to give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Child Immunisation clinics are run on Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings.

2 women talking

Perinatal Mental Health

New and expectant mums who are struggling with their mental health can access a community service designed to support them. 1 in 5 women will experience mental illnes within this perinatal period. Please click here for more information. This service is run by East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust.

baby

Other Resources

For any more information on the maternity services East and north Hertfordshire NHS Trust offer, from birth choices to, ultrasounds, to informations for partners, please see their webiste.