Coronavirus and your maternity care
This information was last updated on 6 April 2022. The links were checked at that time but webpages are sometimes moved. If a link appears to be broke… Read more…
AIMS has been providing information and support to women and their families since 1960.
Our Pregnancy, Birth and Infant Feeding pages are intended to provide useful information on a variety of topics that we are frequently asked about on our helpline. This information is not intended to replace medical advice, but instead to help women to work out what questions they may wish to ask their health care providers to help them to make their own decisions.
The Birth Information pages are new addition to the AIMS website, so currently we only cover a few topics, but we will be continuously working on adding new information pages to the AIMS website, and if you would like to suggest a topic, or if you are interested in authoring one, please do let us know.
If you would like to speak to one of our helpline volunteers, you can email or call the AIMS helpline (visit our contact page).
This information was last updated on 6 April 2022. The links were checked at that time but webpages are sometimes moved. If a link appears to be broke… Read more…
We’ve listed the people you are likely to meet whilst you are pregnant, giving birth and postnatally. Some are health care professionals specifically… Read more…
This page is intended to explain in outline the situations where induction of labour might be offered, what it might involve and what options you have… Read more…
Please note that this page is awaiting update Your right to a Homebirth The following information applies in normal circumstances. If you are told tha… Read more…
Pregnant women and people frequently need to make decisions about the care they want during their pregnancy, birth and afterwards. This article explai… Read more…
What are my options? Whether you are expecting your first baby, second, third or more, you have the right to choose where you want to give birth. Depe… Read more…
Please note that this page is awaiting update What is a 'due date'? About 90% of pregnancies will naturally last between 37 and 42 weeks, and this per… Read more…
What is quantitative research? There are two main types of research study: quantitative and qualitative (though some studies use a mixture of these me… Read more…
Why is a baby’s heartbeat monitored? Monitoring a baby’s heartbeat during labour aims to help to assess the baby’s well-being and to see how well she… Read more…
Please note that this page is awaiting update One concern many people have about having their labour induced is that it might increase their chance of… Read more…
Please note that this page is awaiting update What are Vaginal Exams? During labour, it is normal NHS policy to offer vaginal examinations (VE) - but… Read more…
Please note that this page is awaiting update About Caesarean Birth Caesarean surgery is lifesaving for some mothers and babies, and avoids problems f… Read more…
Please note that this page is awaiting update Many things can affect how a woman experiences the sensations of labour: the kind of surroundings and su… Read more…
Please note that this page is awaiting update What is PGP? PGP affects one in five pregnant women to a great or lesser extent. It causes pain in one o… Read more…
Please note that this page is awaiting update What is a PPH? PPH is classified as a genital blood loss of above 500ml within the first 24 hours of giv… Read more…
What are freebirth and unassisted childbirth? There is no specific definition of freebirth, but broadly speaking, a woman freebirths when she intentio… Read more…
Vaccination has long been a controversial and divisive issue and has become even more so during the Coronavirus pandemic. There are strongly-held view… Read more…
This article replaces the AIMS book, “Vitamin K and the Newborn” Please note that this page is awaiting update What is Vitamin K? What we refer to as… Read more…
Please note that this page is awaiting update. For the latest information on national guidance please see our webpage Coronavirus and your maternity c… Read more…
AIMS provides information and support around the issue of Maternity care, and decisions around pregnancy and birth. Employment Rights and Maternity Be… Read more…