here - Health Promotion Agency
here - Health Promotion Agency
here - Health Promotion Agency
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Feelings and relationships<br />
C OPING ALONE<br />
If you’re pregnant and on your own,<br />
it’s even more important that t<strong>here</strong> are<br />
people with whom you can share your<br />
feelings and who can offer you<br />
support. Sorting out problems, whether<br />
personal or medical, is often difficult<br />
when you are by yourself, and it’s<br />
better to find someone to talk to<br />
rather than to let things get you down.<br />
You may find it encouraging to<br />
meet other mothers who have also<br />
gone through pregnancy on their own.<br />
Gingerbread (see page 148) is a selfhelp<br />
organisation for one-parent<br />
families which has a network of local<br />
groups and can offer you information<br />
and advice. They will be able to put<br />
you in touch with other mothers in<br />
a similar situation if you wish.<br />
If money is an immediate<br />
concern, read Rights and benefits<br />
(pages 132–6) for information on<br />
what you can claim and your<br />
employment rights. Your local<br />
Jobcentre Plus/Social Security Office<br />
(Jobs & Benefits office) or Citizens<br />
Advice Bureau (CAB) will be able to<br />
give you more advice. If you have<br />
housing problems, contact your local<br />
CAB or the Northern Ireland<br />
Housing Executive.<br />
The National Council for One<br />
Parent Families can also supply<br />
information on a range of topics<br />
from benefits to maintenance (see<br />
page 148). T<strong>here</strong> may be a<br />
local support group in your area.<br />
Ask your midwife or health visitor.<br />
Don’t feel that, just because you<br />
don’t have a partner, you have to go<br />
to antenatal visits and cope with labour<br />
on your own. You have as much right<br />
as anyone else to be accompanied by<br />
the person you choose – a friend, sister,<br />
or perhaps your mother. Involve your<br />
‘labour partner’ in birth classes if you<br />
can and let him or her know what you<br />
want from them. T<strong>here</strong> may be antenatal<br />
classes in your area run especially for<br />
single women. Ask your midwife.<br />
Think about how you will manage<br />
after the birth. Will t<strong>here</strong> be people<br />
around to help and support? If t<strong>here</strong><br />
is no one who can give you support,<br />
it might help to discuss your situation<br />
with a social worker. Your doctor or<br />
hospital can refer you or you can<br />
contact the social services department<br />
of your local council, or in<br />
Northern Ireland your local <strong>Health</strong><br />
and Social Services Trust, directly.<br />
If you’re considering adoption or<br />
fostering, you should discuss this<br />
with a social worker.<br />
‘The baby’s dad has<br />
gone. He wanted the<br />
baby at first but when<br />
things started to happen<br />
he didn’t like it, so he’s<br />
gone. But my mum has<br />
been to all my antenatal<br />
classes with me and<br />
everything, so she knows<br />
what’s going on.’<br />
‘Sometimes I feel<br />
really low and think,<br />
“Oh God, I’m only<br />
18 and it’s for the rest of<br />
my life.” Every time I go<br />
out I’ve got to get a baby<br />
sitter and things.’<br />
‘I talked to the hospital<br />
social worker about things<br />
and she told me all about<br />
managing on my own.’<br />
LONE PARENT<br />
HELPLINE<br />
call free on 0800 018 5026<br />
(9am–5pm Mon–Fri)<br />
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