Antenatal Care

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.

When you discover you are pregnant you should make an appointment with the community midwife as soon as possible from seven weeks onwards. A midwife clinic is run every week.

Midwife

Telephone: 01334 465848

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. Community midwives attend women before and after babies are born at home, in clinics and classes. They act as a link between the hospital midwifery service and our practice.

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.

The midwife will begin your antenatal care over one or two “booking” appointments and refer  you to the hospital whilst communicating with your GP to ensure she has your full medical history.

  • You will be offered screening tests as part of your routine care
  • You will be offered immunisations as part of your routine care
  • For most healthy women the majority of antenatal care will be provided in the community by a midwife

The GPs and nurses in the practice will continue to provide you with routine health care through your pregnancy and you can make an appointment to see them at any time.

Healthy Start

Healthy Start is a government scheme that aims to improve the health of pregnant women and mothers on benefits or low incomes, all pregnant women under 18 years of age and children who are under 5 years of age. Families who are supported by the scheme receive vouchers to spend on milk (including infant formula), fresh fruit and vegetables.

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.