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Types of antenatal care

There are various types of antenatal care available around the country.

These include:

Shared care

Most women are cared for by their family doctor and community midwife
during pregnancy with visits to the hospital limited to routine scans
or investigating problems. You can choose between having a hospital or
home birth. If you choose a hospital birth you will be cared for by the
labour ward team of midwives and you are then cared for by the community
midwives in the first few days following the birth.

Midwifery
care

In some areas midwifery care is on offer. You are looked after during
pregnancy by your own midwife, or team of midwives, and one of them will
aim to deliver your baby, either in hospital or at home. They will also
look after you after the birth. This is sometimes called one-to-one care,domino
or team midwifery care. There may be special teams of midwives which specialise
in specific groups of women such as high risk women, young mums or diabetics.

Independent
midwives

Some women prefer to be cared for by an independent midwife who charges
a fee for care during pregnancy, at the birth and afterwards. You can
have all your antenatal checks at home and either have a home birth or
hospital birth at which your independent midwife is present. Expect to
pay in the region of £2,500 to £4500 for this service depending
on who you choose and where you live. Contact the
The Independent Midwives Association for more information.

Consultant
care

Women with pre-existing medical problems may have regular checks with
a hospital based consultant and all their care may need to be carried
out in hospital. There are some conditions such as heart conditions which
may require the care of two specialists; an expert in the medical condition
as well as an obstetrician (a doctor who specialises in maternity care).
Some women may choose private medical care with an obstetrician.

Do I have to go to hospital for my antenatal checks?

Most antenatal checks take place with midwives in clinics based in local
GP surgeries or health centres. If you have a straight forward pregnancy
you are likely to only go to hospital for your scans during pregnancy.
Some midwives are able to offer antenatal check at home but this is not
always possible. If you have complications before or during your pregnancy
you may need to go to hospital to see your consultant for your check ups.
Ask your GP or midwife in early pregnancy where your appointments will
be.

Can I see my consultant if I want to?

Appointments with consultants are usually only given to women with medical
complications during the pregnancy or prior to it. The midwives that women
see are usually very experienced in spotting any complications and would
then refer you to see the most appropriate person. Your midwife would
also be able to offer more social support and information regarding antenatal
classes, feeding your baby or keeping fit during pregnancy. If you feel
you need to see a consultant discuss this with your midwife. If you wish
you can also pay to see a consultant obstetrician privately.

Where to next?

Return to pregnancy
homepage

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