Types of antenatal careThere are various types of antenatal care available around the country. These include:
Shared careMost women are cared for by their family doctor and community midwife during pregnancy with visits to the hospital limited to routine scans or investigating problems. You can choose between having a hospital or home birth. If you choose a hospital birth you will be cared for by the labour ward team of midwives and you are then cared for by the community midwives in the first few days following the birth. Midwifery careIn some areas midwifery care is on offer. You are looked after during pregnancy by your own midwife, or team of midwives, and one of them will aim to deliver your baby, either in hospital or at home. They will also look after you after the birth. This is sometimes called one-to-one care,domino or team midwifery care. There may be special teams of midwives which specialise in specific groups of women such as high risk women, young mums or diabetics. Independent midwivesSome women prefer to be cared for by an independent midwife who charges a fee for care during pregnancy, at the birth and afterwards. You can have all your antenatal checks at home and either have a home birth or hospital birth at which your independent midwife is present. Expect to pay in the region of £2,500 to £4500 for this service depending on who you choose and where you live. Contact the The Independent Midwives Association for more information. Consultant careWomen with pre-existing medical problems may have regular checks with a hospital based consultant and all their care may need to be carried out in hospital. There are some conditions such as heart conditions which may require the care of two specialists; an expert in the medical condition as well as an obstetrician (a doctor who specialises in maternity care). Some women may choose private medical care with an obstetrician. Do I have to go to hospital for my antenatal checks?Most antenatal checks take place with midwives in clinics based in local GP surgeries or health centres. If you have a straight forward pregnancy you are likely to only go to hospital for your scans during pregnancy. Some midwives are able to offer antenatal check at home but this is not always possible. If you have complications before or during your pregnancy you may need to go to hospital to see your consultant for your check ups. Ask your GP or midwife in early pregnancy where your appointments will be.
Can I see my consultant if I want to?Appointments with consultants are usually only given to women with medical complications during the pregnancy or prior to it. The midwives that women see are usually very experienced in spotting any complications and would then refer you to see the most appropriate person. Your midwife would also be able to offer more social support and information regarding antenatal classes, feeding your baby or keeping fit during pregnancy. If you feel you need to see a consultant discuss this with your midwife. If you wish you can also pay to see a consultant obstetrician privately.
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