Pregnancy Advice
Pregnancy Care in Scotland
Pregnant?
There’s no need to see your GP – you can book direct with a midwife as soon as you know you’re pregnant.
To make your first midwife appointment call 0141 347 8422.
For any subsequent appointments please call 0141 314 7371 between 9am and 2pm, Monday to Thursday. The surgery can no longer make these appointments.
Booking to see your midwife within the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy will help you get the best start for you and your baby.
Ready Steady Baby! helps you get ready for parenthood by taking you through the whole of your pregnancy from the early symptoms, through the antenatal care you will receive and on to advice on how to get through labour and the birth.
It provides a rough guide on maternity leave and benefits and can help you with the care of your baby for the first 12 months.
Trying for a baby
You’ve made the decision to try to for a baby. This section tells you how to get your body ready for pregnancy to keep you healthy, how to give your baby the best start in life, and how to improve your chances of getting pregnant.
Your pregnancy
Find out everything you need to know about getting yourself as prepared as possible for becoming a parent and giving your baby the best start. . .
Labour and birth
Knowing what may happen during labour will help you feel prepared. Labour is different for every woman – and often for every baby she has. Health professionals describe it as being in three stages. Knowing what is likely to happen during each stage will help you plan and prepare for your baby's arrival – something you may feel both excited and nervous about at the same time.
First days together
In the first few days after the birth, you and your new baby are getting to know each other. There’s a huge amount to learn – find out more about the best way to feed your baby, what practical steps you will need to take, and how you may be feeling.
Growing together
Being a parent is exciting – but at times you may feel anxious. Here you can learn about what to expect from your growing baby, as well as information on immunisations, postnatal depression and weaning.
Problems in early pregnancy
If you have had any problems in early pregnancy (before your booking visit) such as bleeding, then it is advisable to contact the early pregnancy assessment service.
The early pregnancy assessment unit at the Royal Alexandra Hospital can be contacted on 0141 3146953.
Physiotherapy in pregnancy
Pregnant patients who require physiotherapy should contact maternity physio directly themselves. The current number is 0141 3146765 (Royal Alexandra Hospital). This number should also be in the pack that the patient is given at their booking visit.
Medicines In Pregnancy
The BUMPS website provides excellent information regarding the safety and best use of medications in pregnancy (and breastfeeding) and is a very good NHS resource for women considering pregnancy or who are newly pregnant. It can also be found at http://www.medicinesinpregnancy.org
Sexual Health Services
Sexual health services (for example sexual health checks) are available via the Sandyford Institute; the closest one is in Paisley and appointments are available on a self referral basis over the telephone on 0141 211 8130 (or 0141 314 9402).
Coil implants and changes are now available at the practice, as are Mirena insertions, changes, and removals. Please contact reception if you require any of these services.
Delaying a period for holidays
Medication is available to delay periods for holidays but if this is not covered as a medical condition and is for convenience, GPs are currently unable to offer NHS prescriptions.
Our practice policy is to direct patients wishing to delay their period for a holiday to their local pharmacy as most Boots, Superdrug and Lloyds pharmacy branches now offer this service directly.
If your periods have been worsening over a few months then we would recommend that you book a routine GP appointment once you are back from your holiday. Medication to delay a period for a holiday will no longer routinely be offered by the practice.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
These can be used for mild incontinence problems prior to seeing a GP. This is a common problem after childbirth and pelvic floor exercises are usually the first thing to try. They are available via the NHS UK site at this link:
NHS UK Pelvic Floor Exercises Leaflet
Family Speech and Language Therapy Clinics
There are a small number of regular speech and language therapy clinics available for children with speech delay concerns.
Each session runs between 10.00am-12noon. No appointment is required for this session.
A small number of bookable appointments are available from 1.00pm-3.00pm in each clinic. These can be booked by contacting the Speech and Language Therapy Department on 0141 314 4601.