Why Should I Choose a Private Midwife?
One of the most important decisions you will need to make during pregnancy is who will be your care provider. Many women will choose to use a private midwife as a guarantee of seeing the same person throughout their pregnancy journey and being able to build a really close and personalised professional relationship with them. Let's explore some of the reasons you may choose to use a private midwife.
What is a private midwife?
Midwives are specialists in providing care for women, their babies and families during pregnancy, birth and in the early weeks of motherhood.
A private midwife is a fully qualified midwife who is registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council but has chosen to work outside the NHS in a self-employed capacity. Independent midwives are required to keep up to date with their practice and are only allowed to act within their sphere of competence as midwives.
What does a private midwife do?
At your first appointment, they will discuss your medical history and take detailed medical notes about you, such as any previous births and ask you about your mental health.
They will discuss all the antenatal screening tests available in pregnancy. These include blood tests to check for iron levels, your blood group and blood sugar, antibodies, blood disorders, infectious diseases and screening for genetic conditions.
You will also discuss the right times to have ultrasound scans to check your baby’s growth and wellbeing.
Part of their role is to also provide advice on keeping fit, healthy and safe in pregnancy through diet, supplements and exercise.
You will then meet your private midwife at regular intervals throughout your pregnancy to check your blood pressure, urine, listen to baby’s heartbeat, discuss emotional wellbeing and answer any questions you may have as you prepare for your labour, birth and early motherhood.
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or develop any, you will also need the care of an obstetrician. But you will still continue to see your midwife alongside any specialist input that may be required.
Once you get close to your due date, your midwife will discuss your birth options with you and together you will prepare for your labour and the birth of your baby.
Once your baby is born you will continue to see your midwife regularly for at least the first two weeks postnatally. Your midwife will be able to support you with feeding, monitor your baby’s weight gain, answer any questions you may have and offer advice and support based on your unique circumstances.
Midwives are there for you every step of the way to help guide you through your pregnancy, birth and beyond ensuring that your transition into motherhood is as smooth as possible.
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