Why might I want care from an Independent Midwife?
Who will do my antenatal care and where will it be done?
Who will attend the birth of my baby?
How involved does my partner have to be?
What care will I have after the birth?
Which areas of the country do you cover?
My doctor has advised me against homebirth. What should I do?
Will I need to see a Doctor during my pregnancy?
What if I want NHS screening tests and ultrasound scans?
Why might I want care from an Independent Midwife?
Many women who seek care from Independent Midwives want to know which midwife who will attend the birth of their baby. They want the chance to get to know this midwife in an unhurried way, so that they can build up a trusting relationship with her. They may have plans for their baby’s birth that fall outside the choices usually facilitated by NHS care provision. They may want their care designed around their individual needs rather than care based around the budgets and staffing available within the NHS. Women who have experience continuity of carer throughout a previous pregnancy birth and postnatal recovery rarely feel satisfied with anything less.back to top
Who will do my antenatal care and where will it be done?
I will visit your home to provide antenatal care during your pregnancy at times that are convenient to us both. We will discuss and agree the length and frequency of antenatal visits, as you need. There is no prescriptive “plan” set by others that you are expected to conform to.back to top
Who will attend the birth of my baby?
I will be “on call” for your birth from 37 weeks of pregnancy until your baby is born. I will attend as your main midwife. I work closely with another Independent Midwife, Sarah Ifill, for back up and cover. Where possible she, or another Independent Midwife, will attend as second midwife so you will have two fully qualified midwives present at your birth.back to top
How involved does my partner have to be?
Your partner can be involved as much or as little you wish. My care is based around the need of expectant parents. The aim is that you both enjoy the experience.back to top
What care will I have after the birth?
I will visit you and the baby each day to provide midwifery care until we agree you are both ready for less frequent visits. I can visit you up to 28 days after the birth. Some mothers and babies will be ready to leave midwifery care before this. My care covers all aspects of your recovery, the establishment of a satisfactory feeding relationship and the care and well being of your baby. At the end of our relationship I will give you a photocopy of your notes to keep.back to top
What if something goes wrong?
Most home births are very straightforward, joyous events, leaving mothers triumphant but calm, and babies well and healthy. Our fear of home birth comes from its unfamiliarity to this generation. Our grandmothers frequently had babies at home and knew that, in the main, all went well. Television and film dramas often send out unrealistic messages about the frequency of emergencies at home births not because this is true, but because it makes an exciting story.Very rarely, problems can occur. Most frequently, slow progress during the birth may make transfer into hospital a sensible choice. If the need for transfer does occur, this will be discussed with you fully, and if you agree, I will arrange for arrange transfer by Paramedic Ambulance to the nearest Delivery Suite of your local NHS hospital. Here our NHS Midwifery and Obstetric colleagues can continue your care. I will accompany you in the Ambulance and explain to the hospital midwives and doctors what has happened so that a plan of action can be agreed. In the hospital, I will stay with you as your supporter. Most hospitals require one of their own midwives to provide the midwifery care you will need there.
All midwives attend regular study days and updates to keep ourselves ready to manage unexpected emergency situations, such as babies who require resuscitation at birth. I, and all the midwives I work with, have the necessary skills and carry all the equipment and drugs we need to deal with rare but possible birth emergencies. A Supervisor of Midwives checks my equipment annually.
back to top
Which areas of the country do you cover?
I live in South Oxfordshire. I cover Oxfordshire, parts of Berkshire, and also parts of other counties within a one-hour drive from my home. Please phone me to discuss feasibility.
What about insurance cover?
As an Independent Midwifery practitioner, liability insurance is currently unavailable to me. I am happy to discuss the implications of this both for you and for me at our initial consultation.back to top
My doctor has advised me against homebirth. What should I do?
There are some circumstances when planning a home birth may be inadvisable. Your doctor’s advice should be carefully considered. It is important to discuss individual medical issues at your initial consultation with me. However, many General Practitioners lack experience of, and expertise in, providing a home birth service and so are, understandably, cautious about recommending it. Many GPs worry they will be called to attend a home birth and deal with potential emergencies. Independent Midwives, like all midwives, are experts in normal labour and birth, including home birth. We will discuss your individual circumstances with you so that you can weigh up your options and decide, for yourself, the best place to birth your baby.back to top
Will I need to see a Doctor during my pregnancy?
If, during your antenatal care, I find any deviations from the normal course of healthy pregnancy, I will discuss with you what sort of medical input, or other therapy, would be most helpful and assist you in arranging this. You can, of course, continue to see your GP for non-pregnancy related problems as normal. You do not need your GP’s permission or consent to arrange a home birth.back to top
What if I want NHS screening tests and ultrasound scans?
You are still entitled to access the full range of NHS blood tests, other screening tests and ultrasound scans if you wish to. This can be arranged through your local GPs surgery. We can discuss these options at your booking appointment.back to top
How does the money side work?
We can agree a schedule of payment at booking, when the first payment is due. All payments are due in full by 36 weeks. Booking later in a pregnancy does not usually cost less. We still need to do the same amount of work together and my responsibility is identical to someone booking in early pregnancy.back to top
