Clinics & Services

Health Visitor

Health Visitor information pack.

Our practice hosts the following services and clinics:

We will then see you regularly during your pregnancy to check that your baby is growing well and to make sure you are not developing any pregnancy related problems. We will also visit you at home for up to 28 days after the baby arrives (we will discharge you when you are feeling confident with your new baby). we do not normally attend hospital births but we do attend homebirths (we share the on-call rota with the other midwives in the Maidstone team).

We are very happy to support you in planning for a home birth, even if this is your first baby, if everything seems to be normal. Many women nowadays choose to have their babies at home because this can be a wonderful experience.

Research has shown that a homebirth is as safe as a hospital birth, and may be even safer. You are less likely to need a caesarean section or other medical intervention if you plan to have a homebirth and your labour may well be quicker and less painful.

If you are interested we can put you in touch with someone locally who has had a homebirth. It is also worth exploring the following website:  www.homebirth.org.uk  for lots of lovely birth stories and ideas.

Of course you may have your baby in hospital as well! Up until 21st September 2011 we will deliver at Maidstone. After this date low risk deliveries will take place in the Stand Alone Midwifery Birth Centre at Maidstone Hospital. All other deliveries will take place at Pembury Hospital. Antenatal clinics and scans are still held at Maidstone Hospital for all women.

Remember that a baby is normally born sometime between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. It is very unlikely to come on your due date! Induction of labour is 14 days after your due date.

Contact details for your Midwife

Community midwives Office (Mon-Fri 8-4) 01892 638158
The Vine Medical Centre (Wed) 01622 754 898
Midwifes will do all First ante natal bookings. .  
If you need to talk to a midwife urgently, call the labour ward 01622 224160

PREGNANCY CARE PLANNER

Appointments normally take 15 minutes. We try to give you enough time to discuss anything that’s concerning you, not just to do a physical check. This means that sometimes we run a bit late; if so please be patient as we are probably with someone who needs some extra time.

Resources

We have many research based leaflets on all aspects of pregnancy and birth – just ask. The internet is an excellent source of information. We are happy to recommend the following websites as reliable and helpful:
www.infochoice.org (15 excellent research based leaflets on pregnancy and birth)
www.birthchoice.com (helps you choose where to have your baby and lots more0
www.maternityallliance.org (specialist advice on maternity rights and benefits)
www.withwoman.co.uk (site designed by midwives for midwives and women)
www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com (National Childbirth Trust)
www.activebirthcentre.com (information about active births and waterbirths)
www.homebirth.org.uk (research, stories and information about homebirth)

We look forward to getting to know you over the next few months. Please phone us if you have any worries or questions.

For more information about our clinics please visit our Who Do I See? page