As
well as the options in
section
1 some areas have
supported accommodation
projects especially for
young parents so ask your
Council Housing Department
or local youth information project if there are any.
If you are being forced
to leave home because
you are pregnant or have
had a baby you can go
to the Council
and declare yourself homeless.
You are in priority need
and they have to give
you a permanent place
to live.
If you are not under pressure
then it is a good idea
to plan your move carefully.
You need to think about
where you want to be and
who you want to live near.
You will need the support
of family and friends
over the coming months.
If
you have moved to a new
area you will need to
register with a doctor.
They can put you in touch
with pre-birth classes
and give you a health
visitor who will come
and see you at home during
your pregnancy and once
your baby is born.
You will meet people through
the pre-birth classes
so you should try and
go to them for the social
aspect as well as to prepare
for having your baby.
Feeling
isolated in your house
with your baby can be
really hard. It is a good
idea to try and go to
some mother and baby classes
to see other people. Your
local community centre
or doctor should be able
to tell you what is going
on.
Once your baby is a bit
older you can take him
or her to a playgroup
or nursery where you will
also meet people.
You
are able to get financial
help from the Government
when you are pregnant
and once your baby is
born. You should go to
your local Social Security
Office
to apply for Income Support
(once you have stopped
working) and Child Benefit
(once your baby is born).
You should also ask your
Council Housing Department
if you can get Housing
Benefit to help with your
rent.
You are also able to get
some prescriptions, dental
care and eye tests for
free for 12 months after
having your baby. Ask
your doctor.
Once
you have had your baby
you may begin to feel
quite low, anxious or
depressed. It is really
hard when you are coping
with running your own
place, being in a new
area and looking after
a newborn baby. This feeling
is really normal and happens
to many new mothers and
then goes away within
a few weeks.
If the feelings don't
go away or get worse it
is possible that you are
experiencing Post Natal
Depression. You should
go and see your doctor
as these feelings can
be treated.
To
help you cope with being
with your baby on your
own all the time you should
let people know how you
are feeling. Arrange for
them to pop in for a little
bit on a regular basis
so that you can look forward
to company.
Talk
to
other
people
you
know
who
have
had
babies.
They
will
understand
how
you
are
feeling.
So
don't
suffer
the
feelings
on
your
own,
talking
will
make
you
feel
better.
