Teenage Pregnancy and ParenthoodBelow you will find information about where and how you can find advice and help if you are pregnant, a young father or a young mother. All the organisations here offer a confidential service, even if you are less than 16 years old.
Choose your life Sure Start plus Emergency contraception Relationships Adoption Abortion Care for you when you are pregnant
Choose your life
If you are a young person, you can phone the free sexual health helpline number on Tel: 08000 32033 Text: 07899 991286 Open Monday to Friday 3pm to 10pm
Teenage parent adviser
There is a teenage parent adviser who works with young parents in Southwark. They give advice to suit individual needs on matters such as health care, parenting skills, education, childcare and housing. The service is open access so you don’t need an appointment.
Teenage pregnancy adviser Tel: 020 7701 5175 / 07905 768 882
Teenage parent adviser Tel: 020 7771 3940
Emergency contraception
If you have had unprotected sex then you can take emergency contraception within 72 hours of having sex. Find pharmacies in Southwark providing free emergency contraception. For further advice call NHS direct on 0845 4647.
Sexual and Reproductive Health
We offer a free and confidential sexual and reproductive health advice service for men and women of all ages, including young people under 16. All of our clinics are walk-in clinics so no appointments are necessary. Further information on emergency contraception and general sexual health issues can be obtained from the family planning website or from Brook.
Pregnancy and parenthood
The pregnancy and parenthood pages on the Southwark Health and Social Care website has advice and tips for parenthood, celebrity interviews and much more.
Relationships
Sometimes pregnancy can put a strain on your relationship with your partner, friends and family or guardians. There are agencies that you can go to talk about your feelings. The Sure Start plus teenage pregnancy adviser can help support you, your partner and family to talk.
Sure Start Plus pregnancy adviser Tel: 07905 768 882
Faces in Focus Tel: 020 7403 2444 Monday to Wednesday 10:30am to 7pm Thursday 12pm to 7pm
Adoption
Having your baby adopted is a huge decision and it is important that you talk through your decision with a counsellor before you finally decide what is best for you and your baby. You can ask to see a social worker when you visit the hospital for your antenatal appointment. The social worker will explain about adoption and make sure that you have all the information that you need to make this decision. Our adoption and fostering pages have more information
Post Adoption Advice Line Tel: 0870 777 2197
www.postadoptioncentre.org.uk Opening hours, Monday, Tuesday. Wednesday and Friday 10am to 1pm Thursday 5.30pm to 7.30 pm
If you want general advice and information you can contact the following organisation:
British Agency for Adoption and Fostering Tel: 020 7593 2000
www.baaf.org.uk Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Abortion
If you are considering having an abortion then you need to act quickly. Currently the law says termination is only legal up to the 24th week of the pregnancy, but in reality it may not be possible this late. For further consultation you should contact your doctor, family planning clinic or the pregnancy adviser.
At the first visit to a terminating service a specialist doctor and nurse counsellor will discuss the decision with you.
Seeking an Abortion
You can book an NHS appointment by phone on Tel: 020 7771 3333 or you can go in person to St Giles Booking St Giles Road Camberwell SE5
For further information regarding termination of the pregnancy and other sexual health issues contact
Marie Stopes International Tel: 0845 300 8090
www.mariestopes.org.uk They have a special web site dedicated to the young people www.likeitis.org.uk
British Pregnancy Advisory Service, which gives advice on the termination of a pregnancy or any other issues relating to family planning. Tel: 0845 730 4030
www.bpas.org.uk Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm Saturday 8.30am to 6pm Sunday 9.30am to 2.30pm
Some people find that after a termination they have unexpected feelings. They may feel low or depressed. In this situation it can be helpful to speak with someone confidentially. You can contact the teenage pregnancy adviser on Tel: 07905 768 882 or the nurse counsellor for a chat or to make an appointment for counselling.
Care when you are pregnant
During your pregnancy, you will be looked after by a midwife, your local doctor or a hospital doctor. Sometimes all three are involved in caring for you and your baby. Midwifes are experts in normal pregnancy and birth. They care for mums and babies before, during and up to 28 days after the birth of a baby.
In Southwark there are midwifery services at all the local hospitals, whose role is to offer support specifically for pregnant teenagers.
Contact
Teenage pregnancy coordinator Tel: 020 7525 3835 15 Spa Road London SE16 3QW |