Maternity services in north east London

Transcription

1 Maternity services in north east London

2 Pregnant or hoping to be? This leaflet sets out the range of maternity services available for women and their families in north east London. It describes what care you can expect to receive and the choices you have through your pregnancy, birth and beyond. Throughout, you will be under the care of a midwife who is specially trained to provide care during pregnancy, birth and after your baby is born. We want you to feel safe, confident and totally involved in all aspects of your care. There are a number of different maternity services in north east London. All offer a comprehensive maternity service for all three key stages: care during your pregnancy (antenatal care) care during birth (birthing care) care in the first two weeks after your baby is born (postnatal care) 3 3

3 Planning your care It is important to arrange the booking of your maternity provider as early as possible, before you are 12 weeks pregnant. This is so that key tests to check the health of you and your baby are done at the best time and so that we can arrange for your antenatal care. When you find out you are pregnant, visit your GP to discuss where you would like to receive your maternity care. You can refer yourself to your local hospital who organise your care; details are available on their website (see page 10). There are also a range of local organisations and groups which can provide support throughout your pregnancy. See for more details. Care during your pregnancy Generally, you will be cared for by the local community midwifery team. If your pregnancy is more complex for example, you have an existing medical condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes, a complex pregnancy such as the baby being in the breech position or are assessed as high risk you may need to be cared for by a specialist maternity doctor (obstetrician). 4 Planning your birth If you are having a low-risk pregnancy, you have a number of options over where to have your baby, in a hospital, in a birthing centre or at home. Your midwife or GP will talk you through your options. Hospitals prioritise women from their local area (catchment) so you will only be able to give birth at a hospital outside your local area if there is space for you or if there is a particular clinical reason. As far as possible, we want you to be able to have the type of birth that you want be that at home, in a birthing centre, or in a hospital and we will support you to do this. 5

4 Giving birth in a midwife-led community birthing centre You can choose to give birth at a birthing centre only if your pregnancy is low risk. Giving birth There are a range of birth settings in north east London. You could have your baby in hospital, either on the labour ward or in a midwife-led unit within hospital. You could also give birth in a midwife-led community birthing centre or at home. Giving birth at home If you have a straightforward pregnancy and both you and your baby are well, you might want to give birth at home. A midwife will come to your house to support you while you re in labour. Giving birth at home means you ll be in familiar surroundings where you feel more relaxed and you are more likely to be looked after by a midwife who you have got to know during your pregnancy. The units are more comfortable and home-like than hospital wards, offering a welcoming, supportive environment. They are staffed by highly-skilled midwives, who support the normal birth process helping women cope with labour through one-to-one support, breathing, relaxation, moving around and using water (birth pools). As a midwife-led service, only women with a low risk of complications in labour are suitable to have their babies here as there are no specialist doctors such as obstetricians, paediatricians or anaesthetists on site. Gas and air for pain relief is available, but you will not be able to have some doctor-led services, such as an epidural. In the event of any concerns or in an emergency, women are transferred by ambulance to the nearest hospital. If you need any help or your labour is not progressing as it should, your midwife will make arrangements for you to be transferred to the nearest hospital. 6 7

5 Giving birth in a within a hospital One option is to give birth at a midwife-led unit within the hospital. These are run by midwives with a more homely environment and care to support the normal birth process. However, specialist doctors and facilities are within the same building should you need them. Giving birth on a labour ward (delivery suite) A hospital birth is usually recommended if you have an existing medical condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes, a complex pregnancy or are assessed as high risk. 8 In hospital, you will be supported by a midwife and a wider team of obstetricians, anaesthetists and paediatricians if you need them. Some hospitals, such as the Homerton, Queen s and the Royal London have very specialist baby care units women and babies with very complex needs will be referred to one of these units for specialist care. Wherever you choose to have your baby, it should feel right for you. Talk to your midwife to discuss your options. Care after your baby is born After the birth of your baby, you can spend some time together. Skin-to-skin mother to baby contact straight after birth is very important. If you intend to breast feed your baby, it is a good idea to try within an hour of the birth and your midwife can help with this. Once you and your baby are ready, you will be transferred to the postnatal ward or may be able to go straight home. If you choose to have your baby in hospital, your stay can last from three hours to two days or longer following the birth of your baby depending on circumstances. It may be necessary for your baby to spend some time in a special unit for newborn babies called a neonatal unit for observation and treatment. Staff will let you know the reasons for this if it is needed. Care after you go home All women receive visits either at home or in a community postnatal clinic by a midwife after leaving hospital until between 10 and 28 days following birth. Visits are between 9.30am and 5pm and frequency of visits will depend on your needs. 9

6 Maternity services in north east London Barts Health NHS Trust The Royal London Hospital Whitechapel Road Whitechapel, E1 1BB Tel: * Newham University Hospital Glen Road Plaistow, E13 8BL Tel: Whipps Cross Hospital Whipps Cross Road Leytonstone, E11 1NR Tel: ext 5732 or 6084 Midwife-led community birthing centres Barkantine Birth Centre 121 Westferry Road Isle of Dogs E14 8JH Tel: Barking Birthing Centre Barking Community Hospital Upney Lane Upney, IG11 9LX Tel: Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust Queen s Hospital Rom Valley Way Romford, RM7 0AG Tel: Queen s Birth Centre (Midwife-led birthing unit) Tel: Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation trust Homerton University Hospital Homerton Row Homerton, E9 6SR Tel: Maternity helpline: Homerton Birth Centre (Midwife-led birthing unit) Tel: *due to open in

7 Preparing to become a parent Your doctor and midwife will talk to you about how to keep you and your baby healthy during your pregnancy and give you information on: l Supplements such as folic acid and vitamin D l Eating healthily l Avoiding alcohol and cigarettes l Seasonal flu vaccine l Screening tests to check that the baby is healthy l The importance of booking into a hospital early l Reviewing what medicines you are taking l Whooping cough vaccine For general information visit