Your Antenatal Care
Midwife
Our Community Midwife provides care and advice during pregnancy. Information on antenatal clinics can be obtained through Community reception.
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 booking appointment (booking visit)
Your first main appointment is your booking appointment (booking visit) with your midwife. It normally takes place between 8 and 12 weeks of pregnancy.
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 health care that takes into account all your health needs and preferences.
Preparing for Pregnancy
A healthy pregnancy starts before conceiving. If you smoke, both you and your partner should stop. Ensure that your alcohol consumption is kept to a minimum or abstain completely. Ask your doctor to check if you are immune from Rubella (German Measles). If you require immunisation, use a barrier method of contraception for approximately 3 months until the vaccine takes effect and it is safe to become pregnant. Have regular smears, every 3 years to ensure the cervix is health during pregnancy.
Ask your doctor for a prescription or buy from the chemist a supply of Folic Acid 400mcg tablets. Take one daily for approximately 3 months before and 3 months after the start of pregnancy. There is strong scientific evidence to suggest such a supplement in addition to a healthy balanced diet can reduce the risk of the baby being born with the severe disabling illness, spina bifida.
Problems in conceiving
One in ten couples experience some degree of difficulty conceiving. It is reasonable after one year of trying to conceive without success to ask for advice from your doctor. This difficulty may equally be caused by a problem concerning either partner. Advice from your doctor may lessen the need for future treatment.