Where to have your baby If you need this information in a different language or format, please contact the Communications Team on (01623) 672294 or email: patient.information@sfh-tr.nhs.uk Leaflet code: PI MATE 003 Version: 1 Created: January 2010 Review date: January 2012 Website: www.sfh-tr.nhs.uk Email: patient.information@sfh-tr.nhs.uk Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
UK National Screening committee leaflet screening tests for you and your baby. The Pregnancy Book This leaflet will give you information about where you may choose to have your baby. This leaflet sets out those choices in order to help you make a decision. Making your choice There are important factors you need to think about when you are making up your mind. The main one is that of safety - for you and your baby. You also need to think about your own preference, where you will feel more comfortable, more relaxed and more in control. Your midwife will talk to you about your choices and will be able to answer your questions to help you to decide. Your midwife will also talk to you about any particular problems or concerns you may have. We want to help you to have a good experience in pregnancy and labour while keeping you and your baby safe. Options for your type of care All women have a known community midwife. This is your main midwife, the one you are most likely to see. However, you are likely also to see other midwives throughout your pregnancy. 8 1
At Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust we offer two different care packages: midwifery-led care and maternity team care. Midwifery-led care This type of care is aimed at, and recommended for, women who are fit and well and have no problems in their pregnancy. Your main carer will be your community midwife. Midwives are the experts in normal pregnancy and birth. Your appointments will usually be close to where you live, for example at your GP practice or Children s Centre. You will be encouraged to have an active birth, keeping everything as natural as possible. Useful contact numbers and more information Your midwife will give you her mobile telephone number. This will be switched off if she is not on duty. However, you can leave a non urgent message at your antenatal clinic or if you have an urgent problem, you can telephone the emergency midwife number. Local emergency midwife 01623 655722 Sherwood birthing unit 01623 672244 Maternity team care This type of care is aimed at, and recommended for, women who have factors which may affect the management and course of their pregnancy. The factors could be linked with the woman s own health or with the pregnancy. You will still be seen by your midwife locally but you will also be advised to see the hospital consultant team - obstetrician - in antenatal clinic. The antenatal clinics are based at both Kings Mill and Newark Hospitals. The National Childbirth Trust - NCT Inquiry Line: 0300 330 0770 (Monday Thursday 9am - 5pm, Friday 9am 4pm) Pregnancy and Birth Line: 0300 330 0772 (Monday Friday 10am 8pm) www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com 2 7
You will have a choice where you meet your midwife. It might be at home or in clinics in children s centres for example. Sometimes you will not need to see your midwife in person and you can arrange a telephone call instead. How often, and where, you see your midwife depends on the general health of you and your baby. Each time you see your midwife she will check both you and your baby. All babies have two extra, detailed check-ups, one within three days of birth and the second one at six to eight weeks old. The first one can be done at home or in a clinic setting and the second one is done at the GP surgery. All new mothers are offered a check-up either with the GP or back at the hospital with the maternity team. This is usually around the same time as your baby s second check up. If you have had a problem you might be advised to return to the hospital for this. You have a choice which hospital and consultant team you book with, but, not all teams are available at Newark Hospital. Changing your package of care Some women choose one type of care but are then recommended to change. This can happen at any stage in pregnancy, labour or after your baby is born. For example: Some women choose midwifery-led care but a problem develops in their pregnancy which means they are subsequently most suited to maternity team care. Also, some women choose maternity team care as they have a problem, which then settles down. If everything else is going well you might then be most suited to midwifery-led care. Changing your package of care is very easy. You don t need to do anything. The midwives and hospital doctors work closely together. It usually just means a telephone call. Everyone is different. Please discuss your pregnancy and the choices open to you with your midwife and perhaps your obstetrician. Remember, you can change your mind at any stage. Where to have your baby You do not initially have to decide where your baby will be born. Some women know straight away what they would like to do while others decide later in their pregnancy. Your midwife will discuss your birth plan and choices in more detail with you. Wherever you have your baby you will be encouraged to be supported by the birth partner of your choice. 6 3
Home birth A home birth is usually most suitable for those women choosing midwifery-led care. However, some women choosing maternity team care may still be suitable to have their baby at home. Even if this is your first baby, if your pregnancy is going well, you can still plan to have your baby at home. The community midwives will look after you in your own home. Some women find this very relaxing as they are in a familiar place with their family and personal belongings around them. Women who choose to give birth in their own homes are more likely to feel in control. In your own home you can wander around freely in complete privacy. You are more likely to be cared for by a midwife you have met before. If a problem was to arise, your midwife will recommend you transfer to the hospital. She will be able to arrange this for you. Women choosing to stay in their homes will not have all methods of pain relief available to them e.g. epidural. See The Pregnancy Book. After the baby is born, your midwife will stay at home with you until you are comfortable and she is satisfied you are both well. Your midwife will give you telephone numbers in case you need to contact a midwife urgently. Hospital birth Sherwood Birthing Unit is at King s Mill Hospital. Even if you go to antenatal clinic in Newark you will need to go to King s Mill Hospital to have your baby. A hospital birth is usually most suited to those women who have chosen maternity team care. However, many women choosing midwife led care also have their babies in hospital. Some women prefer the reassurance of being in a hospital. You are likely to be cared for by a hospital midwife you might not have met before. If you need to see a doctor while in labour it is unlikely to be your own consultant s team. It will be the on-call team. Once your baby is born and you are both well you can go home. If you have had a problem you might be advised to stay in hospital a little longer than you had first planned. After your baby is born Your midwife will continue to see you and your baby for about a month. We want to make sure you are both in the best of health, and help with any problems you might have. Your midwife will talk to you so together you can plan and agree what suits you both best. 4 5