Antenatal

Antenatal care is imperative to monitor the progress of you and your baby for the pregnany term.  Antenatal care consists primarily of monthly, fortnightly and weekly check- ups but as importantly it is the period in which you and your midwife cultivate your relationship in the lead up to the birth of your child.  During the preceeding months of your pregnancy your antenatal visits will incorporate the following:

  • During your booking consultation you will be given the contact details for your personal midwife, this will also include a mobile telephone number that you can contact your midwife on usually 24 hours a day.
  • Monthly check ups up to 32 weeks, these check ups will include,a consultation to establish the progression of your pregnancy any concerns or issues that you may like to discuss.  Routine check ups incorporating blood pressure and urinalysis which help to establish a normal pregnancy progression.  Fundal height measurements as a guide to your baby's growth, fetal heart ausculation and fetal position and movementswill also ensure that your pregnancy is developing normally.
  • Fortnightly check ups  for the next four weeks which will take you to 36 weeks of your pregnancy term.  These visits embrase the above to include, a consultation to establish the progression of your pregnancy any concerns or issues that you may like to discuss.  Routine check ups incorporating blood pressure and urinalysis which help to establish a normal pregnancy progression.  Fundal height measurements as a guide to your baby's growth, fetal heart ausculation and fetal position and movementswill also ensure that your pregnancy is developing normally.
  • During the final stages of your pregnancy your personal midwife will visit you on a weekly basis until the birth of your baby these visits will again involve all of the checks carried out during your monthly and fortnightly check ups.
  • Visits to establish the health and progression of you and your baby during your pregnancy are usually arranged to suit you. Your personnal midwife will normally arange around fifteen visits during the antinatal period.
  • Extra 'out-of-hours' visits may be needed from time to time, if concerns arise during the night or between arranged visits.
  • All diagnostic and screening tests, including ultrasound scans can be arranged either private care or through the NHS.  Any blood tests that may be nessessary, can usually be taken by your midwife in your own home and the results forwarded to you and or your GP as neccesary.

INTRAPARTUM

Labour care and delivery is tailored to meet your wishes when ever possible, whether at home or a planned hospital birth.  Your midwife can usually negotiate a temporary contract with your chosen hospital, if that is your choice.  Your midwife will stay with you through-out the whole experience.

POSTNATAL

Your midwife will continue to care for you for several hours following delivery, and then arrange her next visit, which can sometimes be later the same day if you have delivered in the early morning.  Visits continue to be negotiated around your needs, up to 28 days after delivery.