Pregnancy
At the beginning of your pregnancy we will both come to arrange your
individualised plan of care. One of us will become your lead midwife
and will meet you regularly at a time and place convenient to you to
monitor the health of you and your developing baby.
By choosing to opt into our care you have NOT opted out of the NHS
system. We have close links with the local hospitals and can arrange
for you to access their services e.g. screening, and hospital birth.
There are an increasing number of fetal screening options now available
to parents. We will discuss these and their efficacy so that you can
make an informed choice. We will source the screening that you choose
through the NHS (when available) or privately.
If you would like us to accompany you to any screening or medical
consultations for emotional support and translation of medical jargon we
will be there!
We realise that pregnant women are bombarded with information, much of
it can be contradictory and confusing. We provide an email Q and A
service for any non-urgent queries which may pop up in between
appointments and we are always available at the end of the phone should
you need advice or reassurance.
We have an extensive library of resources (Books, DVDs, CDs etc) on many
aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and baby care. You are welcome to
borrow any items.
We believe in holistic care and will support you should you wish to use
any complimentary therapies during your pregnancy and childbirth.
As your expected birth date approaches we will arrange a birth planning
meeting. We will visit together so that we are both familiar with your
hopes and wishes.
Labour
One of us (ideally your lead midwife) will come to support you at home
at the early stages of your labour. If this is not possible then your
second midwife will be there (this is why we make opportunities for you
to meet both of us during your pregnancy).
As the birth progresses we will call the second midwife to come to give
additional assistance and support.
If you have chosen to have a hospital birth or it becomes necessary to
transfer you to hospital during your labour, your
midwife will accompany you. At the hospital you will be cared for by
one of the hospital midwives but we will stay with you as your advocate
and birth supporter. In this way we are not constrained by hospital
policies and can ensure that all staff act in a way that conforms to
your wishes and not their guidelines.
Postnatal Support
Our postnatal care will be individually tailored to you, your partner
and your new baby. We are strong advocates of breast feeding and can
offer expert advice and support as you and your baby learn this skill
together. We respect all women’s rights to choose their method of
infant feeding and will never pressurise any woman to do something with
which she is not comfortable.
In the initial days following the birth of your baby we will visit you
at least once a day to offer support and practical tips. As you grow in
confidence you may want less frequent visits but we will always be
available to offer support over the telephone or make extra visits if
you need us. Especially the morning after a sleepless night!
Caring for a new baby is thrilling but it can also be exhausting. We
continue our care for 28 days after the birth unlike
the NHS where most women are discharged between 10 to 14 days.
All children born in the UK are offered screening for a number of
disorders, usually when they are 6-8 days old (you may have heard this
referred to as the ‘heel prick’ or ‘blood spot test’). We will discuss
this screening fully with you and can perform the test should you wish
your baby to have it.