Antenatal care

Maternity Unit
Level 4
Torbay Hospital
Lowes Bridge
Torquay TQ2 7AA

Maternity Unit: 01803 655771

Newly pregnant? Please complete our maternity self-referral form to access care.

Our aim

We provide high-quality, personalised care for pregnant women and their families throughout pregnancy.

Antenatal services

We offer a wide range of antenatal services, including:

  • midwife clinics in GP surgeries and community hospitals
  • consultant-led antenatal clinics
  • ultrasound scanning, including detailed fetal assessment
  • screening for Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes
  • diagnostic tests (amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling)
  • infectious disease screening (offered to all)
  • joint clinics for women with diabetes
  • Day Assessment Unit (9am to 5pm, daily)
  • maternity triage (8am to 8pm, daily)

Your antenatal appointments

Regular check-ups are important to ensure both you and your baby remain well. Most of your care will be provided locally by your community midwife, although some appointments will take place at the maternity unit.

At each visit we will:

  • check your urine
  • measure your blood pressure
  • monitor your baby’s growth and development
  • offer time to discuss any concerns or questions

Ultrasound scans and screening

Before your scans, you can learn more about what to expect by watching the NHS video on screening tests for you and your baby on YouTube or reading the GOV.UK guide on screening tests in pregnancy.

Dating scan (10 to 14 weeks)

This optional scan:

  • confirms your due date
  • checks if you are expecting more than one baby
  • assesses early development

You can also choose screening for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome. The scan is optional. Screening is not perfect and can sometimes give the wrong result. It may lead to more tests or decisions about your pregnancy.

20-week scan (anomaly scan)

Usually offered between 18 and 20 weeks, this scan:

  • checks your baby’s physical development
  • locates the placenta
  • may identify your baby’s sex (if visible and you wish to know)

You can watch the 20-week scan video on YouTube or read about the 11 physical conditions checked at the 20-week scan on GOV.UK.

Scan photos are available for £5 each, payable by contactless payment.

Not all conditions can be detected by scans. Most babies are healthy, and the scan will reassure you that your pregnancy is progressing well.

Further support

Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) provides non-directive information and support for any family with unexpected screening results before, during, and after antenatal screening.

Vaccinations

Flu, whooping cough, and RSV vaccines are offered during pregnancy to help protect you and your baby from infections.

Pregnancy vaccine clinics are available daily at Torbay Hospital, and monthly at Newton Abbot, Dawlish, Brixham, Ashburton, Totnes, and Dartmouth. Please arrange an appointment through your midwifery team.

You can read more about vaccine safety and timing through these resources:

Breastfeeding support

We offer support before and after your baby is born. You can also follow NHS Infant Feeding Torbay on Facebook and Instagram for local updates.

We run a 1.5-hour evening breastfeeding masterclass at Torbay Hospital that is open to everyone. To book, email our team or ask your community midwife.

Infant feeding specialist midwife

Phone: 01803 656275

Support includes:

  • breastfeeding advice
  • support groups
  • breast pump hire

Peer supporters

Peer supporters are trained volunteer mothers who have breastfeeding experience and can provide practical advice and reassurance. Ask your midwife about local support in your area.

Pelvic health support

The Devon Perinatal Pelvic Health Service supports women during pregnancy and up to 12 months after birth.

They provide care for:

  • pelvic floor concerns
  • bladder or bowel symptoms
  • recovery after birth

You can self-refer or speak to your midwife. For more information, visit the Devon Pelvic Health Around Birth page on MyHealth Devon.

Maternity video guides

We have produced a number of support videos, which you can view in our maternity video library.