Telling your GP and/or Midwife promptly will help to make sure you receive maternity healthcare that takes into account all your health needs and preferences. You can book an appointment with your GP or directly with your Midwife as soon as you know that you’re pregnant.
It’s best to see them as early as possible to obtain the information you need to have a healthy pregnancy.
Midwife
The Midwife works with the Doctor to give care to women having a baby, both before birth and for ten days after the baby is delivered.
Ante-Natal Clinic – every Monday morning 9:00am – 10:30am (Midwife led with open access to doctor if necessary).
The role of the midwife
A Midwife is a qualified nurse who has undertaken further training to provide and promote normal midwifery.
They help you to prepare for motherhood and promote good health for yourself and your baby by advising on the effects of drinking, smoking and good diet whilst you are pregnant.
The Midwife guides you through your pregnancy and endeavours to detect any problems and make relevant referrals if necessary.
Your antenatal care
When you first learn that you’re pregnant, get in touch with a midwife or GP as soon as possible. Ideally this should be by 10 weeks of your pregnancy. Telling your GP and/or midwife promptly will help to make sure you receive maternity healthcare that takes into account all your health needs and preferences.
During pregnancy, your midwife and health visitor will advise you about the most important things you can do to keep you, your family and your baby healthy and well. They will begin to assess any specific needs you may have at this time and in the future, and start to complete your family health assessment.
Soon after birth
You will be given a personal child heath record (PCHR – red book) which can be used by yourself and healthcare professionals to record your child’s progress.
Please make sure you keep this safe and bring it along to all clinics and at any time you have contact with a health professional.
A general physical examination will be carried out on your baby by the doctor or midwife. An audiologist will carry out a newborn hearing screening test.
Days 0–5
Your midwife will visit you and your baby at home and on the fifth day will discuss any relevant issues you have and offer a “heel prick” test for your baby. This test screens for very rare but serious conditions, eg cystic fibrosis.
Days 6–10
The midwife will visit to check you are both well and if so will transfer you to the care of the health visiting service. If necessary, the midwife may continue to visit.
10–14 days
The health visitor will call with you at home to assess and discuss your needs as identified by yourself and respond to any questions you may have about your new baby. You and your partner will be given information on health issues, for example, breastfeeding, establishing routine, sibling rivalry, local groups, pre-school immunisation programme.
6–8 weeks
The health visitor will continue assessing your particular needs and will discuss any issues relevant to you and your family’s physical, emotional and mental wellbeing and will signpost you to any services that may be of help.
The pre-school immunisation programme will be discussed, along with any issues you identify which will help you and your family at this early stage in your new baby’s life.