We strongly advise that well women still attend their antenatal appointments as planned. However, please note if you or a family member has a fever or a NEW continuous cough then you are required to self-isolate for 14 days. If you are struggling with symptoms please get advice at: https://
For hospital-based appointments, there will be a face-to-face screening (questions about your wellbeing) at the ground floor reception in the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Wing (EGA). Please allow extra time ahead of your scheduled appointment as the screening check may take some time.
A lot of our obstetrician appointments have been changed to telephone consultations rather than face-to-face appointments in the hospital, again to avoid unnecessary travel for you and to reduce footfall in a health setting. You should have received a text message regarding this. Please be aware that all our ultrasound scanning appointments and some midwife appointments, including your first booking appointment, will remain face-to-face appointments in the hospital as normal. If you have any queries or are concerned about coming in then please call and we will be able to help.
Our group appointment sessions have been cancelled until further notice. This includes
- Breastfeeding classes
- Antenatal classes
- 16-week group class.
We have set up a YouTube playlist of videos to cover all areas including: antenatal class information, giving birth, tours of wards and key information during COVID-19.
If you are scheduled for an induction of labour or an elective caesarean section, or any other elective activity with us, you will be called by a clinician the day before who will screen you verbally for symptoms of COVID-19.
If you have concerns about reduced fetal movements, waters have broken/leaking, vaginal bleeding, regular painful contractions, severe abdominal pain, flashing lights/visual disturbance and/or migraines or any other emergency concerns or symptoms we still advise that you should attend the 24 hour Maternal and Fetal Assessment Unit (1st floor, EGA Wing UCLH), please contact them prior to coming if you have a fever or NEW continuous cough so that they can arrange for you to go directly into a side room.
Postnatal Visitor Policy Survey:
If you have been an inpatient on our Maternity Care Ward since the pandemic began, you will have experienced our adjusted visiting policy. We would really value your feedback as to how you found this experience.
Please take part in a quick survey. Thank you.
We request that our patients conduct lateral flow tests (LFT) at home, on the day of their antenatal appointment.
Patients may be asked to show their results of their lateral flow tests to their clinician when they are in their consultation (e.g. midwife appointment or ultrasound scan) and these will be documented.
If you haven’t had the chance to order your kit please do so via the government website
Once the test has been done, a text message will then be sent to the patient which can be shown to the clinician during their consultation.
Please download this poster for further instructions.
Following updated guidance from NHS England, visitors to the Maternity Care Unit (postnatal ward) and the Antenatal Care Unit (ACU) will no longer be required to present evidence of a negative Lateral Flow Test for entry to the ward.
We still request that any support person who has symptoms of COVID-19 or who has confirmed COVID-19, does not visit maternity or neonatal settings and therefore we encourage women to consider an alternative support person in case of this event.
All those attending clinical settings in EGA are required to wear a face covering or mask, unless exempt.
Please note the visiting policy remains unchanged and therefore one designated support person may visit between 8am-8pm and swapping of visitors is not permitted.
If you think you may be in labour please contact our team so that they can prepare for your arrival. If you wish to have a water birth or use one of our birth pools for labour, let the team know when you call so they can ensure availability.
If you have any concerns about your pregnancy and need advice, please contact your named midwife (the name and number should be on your maternity notes) or our team on the numbers below:
Maternal Fetal Assessment Unit (MFAU)
Tel: 020 3447 9400 - Select option 2 if you think you may be in labour (24 hours a day).
Tel: 020 3447 7113 - at all other times.
Please only bring one birthing partner with you to either The Birthing Centre or the Labour Ward.
The London Ambulance Service are once again able to guarantee an ambulance response to those women choosing to plan their birth at home, which means we are able to support home births.
Coronavirus is still having a significant impact on all NHS services and we are doing everything to ensure that the safety of women and their babies is not compromised and therefore we will continue to closely monitor the situation in relation to Home Births and will keep you updated if anything changes.
If you wish for a home birth please contact your midwife.
Thank you for your understanding.
Please see below helpful links for information regarding Breastfeeding, as we have had to cancel our Breastfeeding Antenatal Classes during this time:
We understand that having a baby is one of the most important experiences of your life.
You will have particular expectations of your birth that are important to you: where you want your baby to be born, who will be with you and the type of care you get.
For some, engaging with maternity services can be a little daunting and you will want access to appropriate information and safe guidance to help you make informed choices and decisions about your pregnancy.
The maternity team at UCLH will listen to your hopes and concerns and can suggest helpful and practical ideas to help you.
