A healthy pregnancy and a good start for a baby depend on care close to home. These links point to free public services and trusted information for families in Limpopo and North West. They support, and never replace, the advice of your clinic nurse or doctor.
Pregnancy and birth
Pregnancy to the baby’s first yearMomConnect
The Department of Health’s messaging service gives pregnant women and new mothers tips on antenatal care, nutrition, breastfeeding, newborn care and immunisation, plus appointment reminders. Register at a public clinic: you need your due date and the clinic’s facility code. Dialling *134*550*2# is free. WhatsApp: send “join” to 079 631 2456.
- Free to dial
- 11 languages by SMS
As soon as you think you are pregnantStart antenatal care early
Antenatal visits find and treat problems that could affect you or your baby, and help you plan a safe birth. The North West Health MEC urges women to go to a local clinic as soon as they miss their first period. Ask about the Road to Health Booklet at your first visit.
- Public clinic
- North West Health
Babies and young children
Birth to age 5Road to Health Booklet
Every child should have this booklet from birth. It records growth, vaccines, vitamin A and deworming, and tells caregivers about feeding, play and the danger signs that mean you should go to a clinic. Bring it to every visit. The user guide explains each page.
- Given at birth
- Growth and vaccines
- Danger signs
Babies and young childrenRoutine immunisation
Vaccines protect babies from serious diseases such as measles. North West health officials urge caregivers to take every baby to the nearest clinic for all the vaccines they need. Your child’s Road to Health Booklet shows which vaccines are due and when to return.
- At your clinic
- Keep the booklet
Pregnancy to age 17UNICEF South Africa parenting resources
A single page of free, low-data parenting tools from UNICEF South Africa, including WhatsApp support, videos and booklets on caring for young children.
- Low data
- Videos
Your wellbeing and safety
Feeling low or anxious?SADAG: mental health support
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group offers free counselling by phone and SMS, and lists support groups. Many new mothers feel very low or anxious: you are not alone. Call 0800 21 22 23 or send an SMS to 31393. Check the website for current hours.
- Toll-free
- SMS
- Support groups
A child or family in troubleChildline 116
A toll-free helpline for children and for adults worried about a child. Call 116 if a child is being abused or neglected, or if a child needs someone to talk to.
- Toll-free
- Children and adults
Support and answers
Help with the cost of raising a childChild Support Grant (SASSA)
A monthly grant for the primary caregiver of a child under 18, based on a means test. Applying is free: go in person to your nearest SASSA office with your ID, the child’s birth certificate and proof of income. Amounts and income limits change, so check with SASSA first. SASSA toll-free line: 0800 601 011.
- Free to apply
- Means-tested
- 0800 601 011
Questions and complaintsNational Department of Health helpline
The national health helpline answers questions about public health services and takes complaints. Call 0800 012 322 or use the WhatsApp line 0600 123 456. The department’s site also links to other health lines.
- Toll-free
In an emergency
Go to your nearest clinic or hospital straight away if you are pregnant and bleeding, in severe pain or have no movement from the baby, or if a baby or child is struggling to breathe, very sleepy, has a fit or cannot drink. To call an ambulance, dial 10177 or 112 from a cell phone.
About these links
These sites belong to government departments and other organisations. Dikuno does not run them, and numbers, hours and rules can change, so please check each one. This page is general information, not medical advice.