Planning a Family

We offer a range of clinics and services here at Eastmead Surgery to support you when planning a family, from preconception advice to postnatal care.

Antenatal Care

Your Pregnancy, Your Choice

When you first learn that you’re pregnant you can either contact your GP, Midwife or self-refer to a maternity unit of your choice. Each maternity unit has a website with details on how to self-refer, advice and further information.

Useful Information, Advice, Resources and Contact Details:

Giving Birth in NW London Maternity Booklet
Maternity Booklet – Easy Read
Maternity Bus Map

What is antenatal care?

Starting your antenatal care

How many appointments you’ll have

Your first visit and booking appointment

Later visits

Checking your baby’s development and wellbeing

Your maternity notes

Maternity Units in NW London

Community Midwifery Contact Details

  • West Middlesex University Hospital (WMUH)
    Address: Community Midwifery Office, Queen Mary Maternity Unit, West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 6AF
    Tel: 020 8321 2581
    Fax: 020 8321 6823
  • The Hillingdon Hospital (THH)
    Address: Community Midwifery Office, Queen Mary Maternity Unit, West Middlesex University Hospital, Twickenham Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 6AF
    Tel: 01895 279472
    Fax: 01895 279 589
  • London North West Healthcare NHS Trust – Northwick Park Hospital (LNWHT – NPH)
    Address: Community Midwifery Office, 5th Floor, Maternity Unit, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Road, Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3UJ
    Tel: 020 8869 2871 or 020 8235 4252
    Fax: 020 8869 5153
  • Imperial College Healthcare Trust (ICHT) – Queen Charlotte’s
    Address: Community Midwifery Office, Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0HS
    Tel: 020 3313 5185
  • Imperial College Healthcare Trust (ICHT) – St Mary’s Hospital
    Address: Community Midwifery Office, Maternity Unit, St. Mary’s Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY
    Tel: 02033126605 (Antenatal) or 02033121158 (Post-natal)

Family Planning

Our family planning clinics offer free, confidential advice and information about contraception and sexual health.

We provide a range of services including:

  • Confidential advice about contraception
  • The combined oral contraceptive pill
  • The Progestogen-only pill
  • Progestogen injections
  • Limited supplies of free condoms
  • Free emergency contraception
  • Confidential advice about STIs
  • Cervical screening
  • Unplanned pregnancy advice
  • Free pregnancy tests
  • Pre-conception advice and fertility awareness information
  • Fitting and checking of caps, diaphragms, and coils (intrauterine devices, or IUDs)

Please book an appointment (through reception or via our online services) with your GP to discuss any of the above in more detail.

Useful links

NHS Choices – Planning a Pregnancy
NHS Choices – The Facts about Contraception

Emergency Contraception

If you’ve forgotten to take your pill, your condom split or you’ve had unprotected sex and you don’t wish to be pregnant we would advise emergency contraception. The sooner you take it the better; ideally within 3 days of unprotected sex but sometimes up to 5 days after ovulation.

Emergency contraception is available free even if you’re under 16 from

If you’ve had unprotected sex or your condom failed, it is also really important to consider your risk for sexually transmitted infections and to think about your long-term contraception needs.

Click here to attend local Sexual Health/ Contraceptive Clinics

Emergency contraception is available as a tablet or a ‘coil’ (Intrauterine Device – IUD). The IUD is more effective. The healthcare professional you see will be able to advise you, depending on your preference, risk or pregnancy, medical conditions, medication and when your last period was.

More information about your choices is available from:

Emergency Contraception Leaflet
Contraception Guide

Neo-natal Care

Neo-natal Care

Some newborn babies are released from hospital without a detailed examination. If this is the case, our GPs are happy to perform the relevant checks in the surgery. Please make an appointment online, or contact reception on 020 8578 1244.

In most cases, the Practice will contact new mums to arrange for this to happen, on rare occasions where we are unaware of the birth, please feel free to give us a call and arrange an appointment or visit.

Postnatal Care

Postnatal care extends for between 6-8 weeks after the birth of your baby. During this period, routine checks are carried out by the health visitor and you and your baby’s recovery is monitored. This is in the form of a 6-8 week baby check and a 6 week postnatal check for the mum. Please make appointments to see the Doctor for these. ​Once completed, you can book appointments with the nurse for your baby’s vaccinations. Please read our childhood immunisations page for more information.

During your postnatal care you will find out about feeding, potty training, illnesses, safety and more. You will be able to ask your health visitor questions and request advice.

Useful links
NHS Choices – Birth to 5 years old guide
NHS – Breastfeeding Guide
Netmums – Information and Support

Preconception Advice

If you are planning to have a baby or you need to know more information about how to look after yourself and your unborn baby, please book an appointment with your GP.

We can provide you with all the information you need to know to have a happy and healthy pregnancy.

Useful links
NHS Choices – Before you try to get pregnant
NHS Choices – Pregnancy Care Planner
NHS Choices – See how your baby will develop
NHS Choices – Work out your due date