Postnatal midwife care Post Reply

[Lazello]

Hello,

Our first baby is due in less than a month (exciting!) and I have been told that the postnatal midwife care provided by the NHS can be a little skinny. This is our first baby and we will not not much hands on family support.

We dont want a full time nanny or anything overbearing but thinking of supplementing the NHS with some private midwife visitis in the first couple of weeks and then phasing out over next few weeks just to make sure everything is ok with buth mum and baby, and feeding etc

Any views, recommendations etc welcome. We are in Balham.

Thanks!

[sid_seal]

Hi Lazello,

Exciting indeed!
Where are you giving birth?
I couldn't fault the care I received from the St Thomas' team - midwife I think at least three times after we got home, then when they discharged us the health visitor came once and then we visited her weekly at the clinic (and the team was available for advice on the phone, although I never needed it).
I felt well looked after and didn't feel like I needed anything more.

I don't know how it works if you are under St George's, but I am sure there are people here who can comment!

You also have access to a network of breastfeeding cafes if you need support, or simply encouragement, on that side.

Enjoy these magic moments!

[oab]

I'm interested as well in the OP's question re. private midwives postnatal care.

I had my 1st baby at St Thomas's but quite a different experience than sid_seal..the midwife came once and then called to discharge me over the phone...she said they were short staffed...i guess it varies a lot...
Our health visitor was quite good (one home visits then periodic visits at the clinic) , i guess this too can vary depending on where you are and who you see...

[LuluDaffodil]

Hi Lazello,

I gave birth at St Georges last year and my surgery is the Balham Health Centre. Their midwife team is attached to St Georges and I absolutely could not fault the care I had from them.

They visited me the day after I got home (it was a Sunday) and gave me very useful advice on how to breastfeed (actual useful advice, not patronising = nipple shields if I can advise anyone are worth packing in your hospital bag to help baby's suction going.... but I digress).

I found the postanatal care at St georges was brilliant. They always came round when I had questions or was anxious, even in the middle of the night. Helped me express milk for the baby, etc.... It was my first so I had no idea what I was doing! They were all very kind and helpful. Also I had to get surgery post-birth and the op team were amazing.

I guess it depends on what surgery you are affiliated with. Feel free to PM me if you have any questions. Good luck xxx

[LuluDaffodil]

Just to clarify when I talk about the postnatal care, it was when I was in hospital. Not at home. However I had their number and they told me to call if there was anything or if I had any questions and I had regular appointments at the surgery with a midwife after I gave birth.

[Mills1234]

You may want to look at Neighbourhood Midwives. Following recommendations here, I've had private midwife care for our birth and they also offer a separate postnatal package that could be what you are looking for. It lasts 6 weeks and tails off from daily to every few days etc. highly recommend them.

[mgb]

I recommend Neighborhood Midwives from personal experience as well. The postnatal care was amazing.

[JenC]

Annabel Bryant is a lovely independent midwife and does post-natal packages as well. Very recommended, she was full of practical advice even several months after my son was born for both me and my husband. You can chat with her via facebook without being a client of hers if you want to "virtually meet" her. Best of luck with the arrival of the little one! https://www.facebook.com/KensingtonAndChelseaMidwives

[Lazello]

Oh thanks for all your responses it's so nice to hear all the varied experiences. We are having the baby at St George's and I agree Luludaffodil they are amazing and I too go to the Balham health centre I was just wondering whether a private midwife after the NHS care dwindles would be worth the extra cost as after our NCT class this weekend the teacher pretty much said post natal care is pretty dismal. I'll look into those recommended websites, thank you so much and I'll have a proper chat with my midwife next week!

[theessentialtouch]

If you are interested in supplementing your NHS care, check out Neighbourhood Midwives. A wonderful team of really supportive midwives.
http://www.neighbourhoodmidwives.org.uk/

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Another vote for Neighbourhood Midwives. The care we had from St Georges homebirth team was fab for the actual birth - we just used NM for postnatal care, because I was so nervous about not having a clue what to do!

Annie and Tina are so lovely and encourage you to contact them day or night with any questions, however random. They were also a tremendous help with the BF.

[ValentinaRebe]

Hi Lazello
I would suggest as well to check out Neighbourhood Midwives, I met them all and they are lovely and passionate. I am sure they would support you at best
Take care and all the best with everything

[schoolgatesmum]

Not sure what your budget is but have you considered a postnatal doula? Not as expensive and very practical.

[Marylamb]

I also had Annabel Bryant as my Independent Midwife. She was absolutely brilliant and visited every day after the birth for at least a week and up until my daughter was around 6 weeks old. Having someone that you could call or text, day and night was so reassuring. She is really knowledgeable about the feeding and with her help I didn't have any problems which was such a relief as after some of my friends experiences I was expecting all sorts of horrors. I wouldn't hesitate to have her again for my next baby and it really was worth every penny.

[ARMummy]

I would like to highly recommend Arezou Namazy of Kamilia Postnatal Care. She visited me approx 7 times in the first 2 weeks after being released from the hospital to check on me and baby (after both my births). She would visit for between 30 and 60 mins. She was also on call 24 hours, we once called her at 2am when we were at wits end! I found her advice and guidance invaluable. For example, she spotted an infection in my c section incision, helped me with my baby's first bath etc. She was recommended to me by my private obstetrician who had insanely high standards.