Pregnancy support to women at Yarl’s Wood immigration centre
Published 5 January 2015
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FOI 32524
Women who arrive at Yarl’s Wood IRC are not automatically given a pregnancy test. Every female is asked if they are or suspect they are pregnant. If they confirm this to be the case they are offered a pregnancy test. If they decline which is entirely their choice they are treated as a non-pregnant resident. If they change their mind they can ask healthcare at any time and a test will be given.
Where a pregnancy test is positive the centre offers a wide range of support for the resident. The Centre has 24/7 healthcare provision and midwife attendance. The Centre also has two pregnancy liaison officers. Upon seeing healthcare or a pregnancy liaison officer, a pregnancy support plan is opened with specific information regarding that resident and how best to support her.
Additional food is provided at meal times and in the evening to take back to their rooms. Extra bedding is also provided.
The liaison officers hold awareness classes at least once per month which aim to help residents with regards to screening, blood tests, scans, and provide information on early pregnancy symptoms. During these classes the residents will be given an opportunity to practice bathing and dressing baby dolls in order to gain experience and confidence at handling infants.
If women choose to access abortion following a positive test they will be seen by a General Practitioner who will then refer them to Bedford Hospital for the termination to be arranged. We follow the standard NHS guidelines for termination of pregnancy.
There are no external organisations that visit the Centre in relation to pregnancy, abortion and child loss. The centre has their own counsellors who can offer support as well as the on-site Religious Affairs Team.
In addition to routine support from the centre the community midwife will attend Healthcare weekly to see the pregnant residents
The centre does not house children so there are no young mothers with children at the centre. If a female resident has children in the community (being looked after by family/friend or social services) they can arrange for the children to visit them.