Your experience with a Neighbourhood Midwife

Below we have tried to give you a fuller idea of what your experience might be like with a full care package (see Our care packages):

During your pregnancy

If you choose a Neighbourhood Midwife you will be cared for by one midwife (and her back-up) to ensure continuity of care and to enable the development of a close and supportive partnership with you. During the first appointment, a full medical and obstetric history is taken with ample time for discussion about which screening and diagnostic tests are available as well as any queries or concerns you may have. A plan of care is then developed with you that meets your physical, social and emotional needs.

Your midwife will also give you information and have an initial discussion with you on your choices about where might be the most appropriate place for you to give birth.
During the antenatal period your midwife will visit you regularly until your baby is born. She would normally expect to spend between 45 minutes and an hour at each visit checking all is well with you and your baby and discussing any issues or concerns you may have. Our service is available 24/7, ensuring you can speak to a midwife any time you need to.
We can advise and inform you about all aspects of pregnancy, including nutrition, exercise, antenatal education and alternative practitioners. Should you require input from an obstetrician at any time, your midwife will refer you and then accompany you to any consultation.

During your labour

When you go into labour, your midwife is only a phone call away and will come and assess progress and then be with you from when you need her. Wherever you choose to have your baby, she will support you throughout the labour, enabling you to give birth in whatever space or position feels right. All the evidence shows that having a midwife you can really get to know reduces unnecessary intervention and greatly increases your chance of a normal, uncomplicated birth.

If you give birth at home, your midwife will provide full midwifery care throughout labour and birth and will stay with you afterwards, assisting with the baby’s first feed and ensuring you are both comfortably settled before she and her partner leaves.

If you are planning a hospital birth, or if you should need or want to transfer to hospital for extra assistance, your midwife will organise this and provide support for you until your baby is born. She will be there to act as your advocate and offer any information and guidance you may require. Then, if all is well she will arrange for you to be discharged home soon after the birth.

The first six weeks

The postnatal period is a very special time. As you (and your partner) get to know your baby, it is a time for nurture, rest and recovery. Becoming a parent can be demanding but with good support it can also be a wonderful experience. Our aim is to enable you, as you recover, to develop the skills of breastfeeding and to embrace your new life with your baby with energy and a sense of achievement.

Your midwife will visit daily for the first few days and then gradually space out her visits as you gain in confidence. She is always available by phone or email if you have any concerns or anxieties.