What to expect from your first appointment with a private independent midwife?
Congratulations! You’ve found out you’re pregnant, this is such an exciting time but can also be a bit daunting when you’re not sure what to expect.
You’re probably around 4-6 weeks and you may have been to see your GP. Alternatively you can book straight in with your local maternity unit by completing an online referral to the maternity services. This referral form will ask you questions such as the date of your last menstrual period, previous pregnancies, your address, telephone number and your registered GP.
Your first appointment with a midwife should be before you are 10 weeks (this is counted from the first day of your last period). During this appointment, with your consent, your blood pressure will be taken, you may have your height and weight recorded, your urine will be tested for any infections and blood tests will be taken to check your blood group, iron levels and infectious diseases. You will also have your carbon monoxide levels checked by blowing into a small machine. It is your choice to have these tests. If you have chosen to have ultrasound scans, these will be booked for you.
This appointment may also include a booking history being taken or you will be offered a separate appointment as it usually lasts 1-2 hours. A booking history involves questions about your medical history, lifestyle habits (such as smoking or drinking alcohol), previous pregnancies, birth, your family’s medical history and the medical history of your baby’s father and family.
As a private independent midwife, I provide pregnancy care from your first pregnancy test all the way through to 4 weeks postnatally, in the comfort of your own home. I will personalise your care so that it is bespoke to you. Each appointment is 1-2 hours long, at a time and day to suit you. These appointments will cover all aspects of antenatal and birth education, to really prepare you for this exciting journey. I care for a small number of clients each year to ensure I am able to provide a level of care and support that is not available in an NHS care model.
If you would like more information on how I can support you, please reach out either by email, Whatsapp or click to book a discovery call.