Maternity
Care
Your care, during and after
pregnancy, is provided by the Doctors, Midwives
and Health Visitors at the Practice. The
care we provide is based on guidelines from
the National Institute for Clinical Excellence
(NICE). Any member of the team will be happy
to answer your questions or discuss your
concerns at any stage.
The Midwives come from the Dart Midwifery
Group Practice. They are a group of seven
midwives based in Totnes who provide ante
natal, intra partum and post natal care
24 hours a day 7 days a week. For women
who have a low risk of complications home
births are encouraged (our area has one
of the highest rates of home births in the
country). The midwives provide parent craft
classes and all women have a pre-birth discussion,
usually at home when they have the opportunity
to discuss labour and delivery.
Ante natal care
The table below identifies
the care given at different points of your
pregnancy. If there were any complications
in a previous pregnancy or arise in this
pregnancy then this care will be altered
to meet your individual needs.
| Timing |
Where |
What |
6-8 weeks |
Surgery |
Advice given on
diet, folic acid and smoking. We also
discuss all screening tests ie blood
tests, ultrasound scans and Downs
syndrome. We check your blood pressure,
test your urine for protein and glucose
and make an appointment to do your
booking notes and blood tests. |
10-12 weeks |
Home |
We complete notes
and take blood tests (if not already
done at the Surgery). We discuss the
screening tests again especially Downs
Screening as we refer you at this
time if you wish to take this option. |
12 weeks |
Hospital |
A dating scan.
This will give you an accurate date
to expect your baby to be born. |
16 weeks |
Surgery |
We will carry out
the Downs Screening Double Test at
this visit and will check blood pressure,
urine, listen for baby’s heartbeat
and discuss your blood test results
that were taken earlier in pregnancy. |
20 weeks |
Hospital |
Detailed ultrasound
scan (get some good pictures!). If
over 20 weeks your MATB1 form will
be issued to give to your employer
to arrange for your maternity pay. |
25 weeks |
Surgery |
FIRST BABY ONLY.
Check blood pressure, urine, growth
of uterus and heart beat. |
28 weeks |
Surgery |
Take more blood
(sorry!) to check for anaemia and
antibodies. Give Anti-D if rhesus
negative. Check blood pressure, urine
and baby. |
31 weeks |
Surgery |
FIRST BABY ONLY.
Check blood pressure, urine, growth
of uterus and heart beat. |
34 weeks |
Surgery |
Give 2nd Anti-D
if rhesus negative. Check blood pressure,
urine and baby. |
36 weeks |
Home |
Pre-labour visit
to discuss labour, pain relief etc,
Check blood pressure, urine and baby. |
38 weeks |
Surgery |
FIRST BABY ONLY.
Check blood pressure, urine, growth
of uterus and heart beat. |
40 weeks |
Surgery |
FIRST BABY ONLY.
Check blood pressure, urine, growth
of uterus and heart beat. |
41 weeks |
Surgery |
Check blood pressure,
urine and baby. Offer membrane sweep
(internal examination). Research shows
this may encourage labour to start
within 48 hours. If this is not successful
we will arrange induction of labour. |
Post natal care
If your baby has been born
at home a doctor will visit within 24 hours
to undertake a new born baby check. Following
the birth of your baby your midwife will
continue to see you for 28 days to check
on yours and the baby’s progress.
Health Visitors will start to visit from
10 days onwards to offer general support
and advice. The Health Visitors will continue
to offer this support and help monitor the
development of your child up to their 5th
birthday. |
