Questions about choosing midwives (UK)

[HopefulEm]

Hi ladies,

My husband and I just moved house and I need to get registered with a new health centre and midwife.

I'm really nervous about ending up with a midwife for antenatal care and especially during labour who is not supportive of my pregnancy decisions, so here are my questions:

What's the best way to find a midwife I'll be happy with for antenatal care? I could just sign up with the most local health centre, meet the midwife they assign to me, and then see if I'm happy. But is that the best/only option? And if I don't like them how do I change?

Will the midwife I see for antenatal care come with me to the birth centre I choose? (Even if it is not related to the hospital they are associated with?)

And if they will not come, can I meet the midwife or midwives at the birth centre ahead of time and have a say in who watches over me during labour?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Pearls18]

Tbh midwifery care in the UK as I know it doesn't really work like "choosing your MW" I think it is very common to see multiple MWs throughout your pregnancy and have a completely different one at birth. For my first I was seen by 2 different MWs, had 2 completely new at the birth, and then 1 I knew and 1 I didn't for the postnatal care. This time around in a whole new area I haven't seen the same MW twice, I have however transferred to the home birth team of which there are only 4 MWs so I will definitely know at least one at the birth and am much likely to see the same ones again. In the UK staffing is such an issue, and when you get into labour it is pure luck as to who is on call, they don't usually have assigned patients that they will come out for during labour.

This is my understanding of midwifery care in two completely different areas (one in Wales and one I'm England) you might be very lucky where you are but it'll be a postcode lottery, you will need to ask your MWs as it'll be different everywhere.

The best thing you can do is research what kind of antenatal care and birth plan you want and just reiterate it to each MW. Even though I haven't had the most consistent care I wouldn't knock it, they've all been lovely.

 

[Kess]

Unfortunately there is no longer continuity of care in most of the UK, so you can't know who will be with you in labour. I had an Independent MW to avoid this, and would do so again. Worth looking into if you have any out of the ordinary preferrences during pregnancy or labour.

 

[Pearls18]

If you can't afford an independent MW you could look into a doula as well, a cheaper option but someone who would be there to support you during the birth and ensure your voice is heard.

 

[lauraclili]

Try researching one to one midwives. I don't know where you are in the uk but they work in several areas now and will offer the continuity of care you're looking for. My o2o sees me for every appointment, has come to every scan, is always on the end of the phone and will attend my hbac (hopefully) but even if I don't get my hbac she'll come to the hospital with me.

 

[Pearls18]

Try researching one to one midwives. I don't know where you are in the uk but they work in several areas now and will offer the continuity of care you're looking for. My o2o sees me for every appointment, has come to every scan, is always on the end of the phone and will attend my hbac (hopefully) but even if I don't get my hbac she'll come to the hospital with me.

I've heard about this it sounds amazing, am I right in thinking it's only a small part of the north? Sounds fab though hope it spreads across the country!

 

[lauraclili]

They're in about four places now, including an area near London. Ill have a look... I can't find any official information! They're rolled out throughout many areas of jersey side and Cheshire, I know that!

 

[Pearls18]

They're in about four places now, including an area near London. Ill have a look... I can't find any official information! They're rolled out throughout many areas of jersey side and Cheshire, I know that!

Ooo I'm London, guessing wouldn't cover me though as haven't heard anything, having said that they've just set up a home birth team here which only has 4 MWs and they do home appointments now so I am quite happy with my care now, I wasn't 7 months ago though. Fingers crossed it catches on.

 

[superbecks]

Hi ladies,

My husband and I just moved house and I need to get registered with a new health centre and midwife.

I'm really nervous about ending up with a midwife for antenatal care and especially during labour who is not supportive of my pregnancy decisions, so here are my questions:

What's the best way to find a midwife I'll be happy with for antenatal care? I could just sign up with the most local health centre, meet the midwife they assign to me, and then see if I'm happy. But is that the best/only option? And if I don't like them how do I change?

Will the midwife I see for antenatal care come with me to the birth centre I choose? (Even if it is not related to the hospital they are associated with?)

And if they will not come, can I meet the midwife or midwives at the birth centre ahead of time and have a say in who watches over me during labour?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi, same as all the above really. There are some midwives about in liverpool and a couple of other places that do caseloading midwifery. They look after you throughout your pregnancy, labour and postnatal period. They are quite rare though. As for meeting midwives ahead of labour other than an independent midwife or caseloading midwife it's pretty impossible. You won't know when you're gonna go into labour so depends on who's on shift pretty much when you do. If you don't like the midwife assigned to you you can ask to change xx