Pregnancy Life and Routine @ UK

This entry shares some experiences on my pregnancy life in UK. It may vary among other people though..

ANTENATAL CARE

I am given antenatal care at University Hospital of North Durham and Community Clinic known as Bowburn Surgery & Medical Centre. But, my initial antenatal visit will be at General Practitioner's (GP's) surgery (Bowburn surgery tu laa..). Here, my named midwife will discuss my options of care.

MIDWIFERY-LED CARE

This type of care is offered to women who have no medical/obstetric complications. It takes place in the Midwives' Clinic.

My named midwife, on her 1st meeting with me, will complete my booking notes, take a medical history and do an initial examination. At the 1st visit, my blood samples are taken to test for blood group, haemoglobin level, rubella, syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV status and inherited blood disorders.

My appointment for a dating ultrasound scan was at about 12 weeks, and for a second, more comprehensive ultrasound examination between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Normally, here we have only 2 ultrasound scans during pregnancy. But, in my case, I managed to have a further screening with my midwife specialist at the Pregnancy Assessment Unit (at UHND) recently as my named doctor suspected that my baby is quite small. It was done successfully and the result was very brilliant..no complications are detected and my baby is growing healthily plus her normal development..Apa laa doktor keling tuh..mentang2lah badan i ni kecik, so dia ingat baby kat dlm pun kecik jugak ler.

A photograph of the baby as seen on the ultrasound scan can be purchased for GBP 2 at UHND. Hmm..I bought 2 photos of my baby scan.

HOSPITAL/MIDWIFE/GP APPOINTMENT SCHEDULE

Typically, mothers-to-be attend the following appointments.

Booking appointment........................hospital, midwife
20 weeks.........................................hosp.,midwife or GP
26 weeks........................................midwife or GP
30 weeks........................................hosp, midwife or GP
32 weeks........................................midwife or GP
34 weeks.......................................midwife or GP
36 weeks.......................................hosp, midwife or GP
38 weeks.........................................midwife or GP
40 weeks...........................................hospital

The above patterns of care may also vary according to individual needs.

Complicated pregnancies will be dealt with by the consultants and may require more frequent visits to hospital, with the possibility of admission to hospital.

MATERNITY RECORDS

All pregnant mom will receive a set of hand held Maternity Records. It is vital to bring them with us to all visits relating to our pregnancy.

COMMUNITY MIDWIVES

I will be linked with my named midwife. She can provide me with info I require to make informed choices relating to my care. She will assist me in compiling my birth plan. All moms here should have their own birth plan..

She will see me in the Antenatal Clinic at regular intervals during my pregnancy. Following the birth of my baby, my midwife will visit at home, as required, for the 1st 10 days. she can be contacted for advice on my postnatal care for up to 28 days...whoaa..

AT HOME

My midwife will call and see me the day after discharge from hospital. So, I need to stay at home until she has been. Subsequent visits will be arranged between midwife and myself.

The community midwife will ensure me to be aware of who my health visitor is and when she may be calling to see me.