Maternity services
If you are pregnant (or think you may be), please make an appointment with your GP. They will arrange your first midwife appointment and a scan in hospital.
In partnership with our local midwives, we offer care during pregnancy (ante-natal care) and care after giving birth (post-natal care). We can also offer advice to people considering starting a family (pre-conceptual advice).
The practice is not directly involved in care during birth - this is arranged with the midwives and the hospital. Women are able to choose where they would like to give birth, including in hospital or at home. Your midwife will discuss these options with you.
Who will provide my antenatal care?
GP
Your GP is the first point of contact and will confirm your pregnancy. They will refer you to St Mary’s hospital and arrange your first appointment with the midwife. After this, your GP will have little involvement until about six weeks after birth when they will carry out your postnatal check. We will write to invite you for this at the time.
Of course, your GP is available throughout your pregnancy if you are ill, worried or need advice.
Community Midwife
Your first appointment with the community midwife (called the 'booking appointment') will be about an hour long and will include a discussion of the choices available to you, e.g. hospital or home birth. The midwife will organise tests and scans and will talk to you about how to keep yourself and your baby healthy.
You will then see the midwife regularly throughout your pregnancy, at Rusholme Health Centre. The frequency of your appointments will vary depending on the stage of pregnancy, but your midwife will advise you on this.
If you opt for a home birth then the community midwife may deliver your baby.
After birth, the midwife will visit you at home for about ten days, before handing over care to the health visitor.
St Mary’s Hospital
You will be invited to St Mary’s hospital twice for scans and possibly for other tests if needed. If you choose a hospital delivery then that will also be in St Mary’s. Your GP or midwife may ask you to go to St Mary’s if there are any concerns or worries and you need further tests.
Health Visitor
The health visitor will take over care once you are discharged from the care of the midwife, about ten days after birth. They may also visit before your birth. Your health visitors will monitor your baby’s development and growth and offer you support. They are experts in child development and can offer lots of advice about health, parenting, feeding, sleeping, vaccinations, childhood illnesses, etc.