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If you continue with your pregnancy after screening has found something, you might need extra care.

The care you and your baby need depends on the condition they have.

Support is available for any condition your baby has.

Important

Speak to a doctor or midwife to get as much information as possible about your baby's condition and what treatment they might need.

You'll be offered all the regular checks and tests everyone has when they're pregnant.

And you'll be cared for by a team that's specially trained to support you and your baby's needs.

But depending on your baby's condition and what's available in your area, you may need to:

You can bring your partner, a family member or friend with you.

It might help to write down any questions you have before you go.

You could ask things like:

Everyone who's pregnant can make a birth plan. You'll usually talk this through with a midwife early in your pregnancy.

You can talk about:

But depending on your baby's condition, you may need to make changes to your plan.

You may have a higher chance of going into labour early. Or your baby may need more support when they're born.

This may mean you'll need to:

give birth at a specialist hospital with intensive and special care baby units – the charity Bliss has more about the different levels of neonatal care
give birth at hospital in a unit led by a doctor (obstetrician)
have a caesarean instead of a vaginal birth
have your baby earlier than your due date (by being induced or having a caesarean)

Speak to a doctor or midwife to find out your options.

The team are there to make sure you and your baby have all the support you need.

What happens after your baby is born depends on their condition and how severe it is. Your baby may need to:

A doctor or midwife will explain the next steps for your baby's care.

It can help to speak to:

your partner, family or friends
your midwife or specialist doctor
a local support group
charities for your baby's condition
a counsellor – you do not need a referral from your GP (find out more about how to see a counsellor)