Anyone used community midwives for a home birth in clapham? Post Reply

[amybelle79]

Hi all,
I have heard that there is a team of community midwives based at the clapham park group practice - apparently they will come out and look after you during a home birth.

Just wondered if anyone had used this service and how you found it?

Expecting number 2 in may and trying to figure out my options!!

Thanks!

[dancing_queen59]

Highly reccomend!

I was booked with them but then had to be transfferred to a different hospital due to complications. They were so lovely. Great continuity of care. You won't get better care elsewhere!

There based at the Clapham Family Practice.

[Kellymm]

The Clapham Family Practice midwives are wonderful. Well, most of them. You have the chance to meet all 7-8 midwives during your pregnancy so you will know the one you have during the birth. They come to your house for visits that last few weeks of pregnancy and they support you even after the birth - especially with breastfeeding and any other post-birth issues/ concerns. I had a very good pregnancy & birth experience. Best of Luck!

[Happymama]

I second that ! They are AMAZING!! I had both my kids with them - I had planned 2 home births but had to be induced with both my kids so ended up at St Thomas'. But great care in the hospital and great care at home after ! Could not recommend them more highly !!!

[txmum]

I'd like to add to that. The Clapham midwives were amazing. They even came to sit with us late on a Friday afternoon when we couldn't get our newborn to stop screaming. I can't say enough wonderful things about these ladies...each and every one.

[mumsw16]

I agree 100% with what's already been said. The Clapham Team midwives are fantastic

I had them for my ante natal care and then ended up having an unplanned home birth. From start to finish, they were amazing. They were so calm, I didn't get the chance to panic! I had a 2nd degree tear which they sorted out at home so I didn't end up going to hospital at all.

Hope this helps, and good luck

[ckwmum]

Do you have to be registered at Clapham Family Practice to get these midwives? Or can anyone get in on this?

[amybelle79]

Thanks so much for your replies. I saw the doctor this morning and have asked to be referred to the community midwives.

I dont think you need to be registered at the clapham park practice, or to necessarily live in lambeth, although I believe priority might be given to women who do. They are based at rathmell health centre - might be worth calling to speak to someone, or maybe ask your doctor about a referral.

A x

[cynic]

Dear all

I am a bit confused by your posts
We are in SW11 and hoping to go to St Thomas's
We are keen to figure out what midwifery team we may be part of

St Thomas website describes how their community midwives work to 3models of care: traditional; caseload; and shared caseload.
One of the Traditional teams is Clapham & Clapham Manor (Lambeth SW4, SW2).
The caseload teams have different locations.
The Shared Caseload team work out of Clapham Family Practice, Clapham High St.

I called the Clapham Family Practice & they told me that they are called the "Clapham Team", their website says the "Clapham Midwives". They say a different team works out of Manor Health

St Thomas' antenatal told me that Clapham & Clapham Manor (Lambeth SW4, SW2) work out of Manor Health centre on Clapham Manor St and ALSO the same team work from Rathmell Health Centre (which is off Clarence Avenue i.e. close to Clapham PARK practice)

From reading your posts it seems people may be talking about TWO different teams??
While it's so nice to hear they are both excellent, can anyone offer any clarity please?

[shanks]

Hi there - you definitely need the team who work from the Clapham Family Practice. They are a caseload team and are the team I was referred to upon telling the midwives at The Manor Practice that I wanted a home birth.

The midwives are known as the clapham team, and especially enjoy Home Births although of course you don't have to have one!! I understand they deal with the highest number of home births for Thomas'

I had a wonderful home birth with them and couldn't recommend them more. They do all your maternity appointments at your home from 35 weeks and even if you are not planing a home birth they'll come out to you at home when you go into labour to assess you.

If you are not registered with the Family practice you can contact the team to find out if they have capacity. I was asked to call when I was 19 weeks pregnant (or thereabouts) and at that point transferred to the team.

Good luck! They are definitely one of Clapham's best kept secrets (or not so much so now!)

[Happymama]

You have to persevere a little if you are not registered with the practice as they have to give priority to the patients of the practice. But so worth it! They were amazing with me and as its a small team you get to know all of them before your due date. The midwife I had my first baby with even came back a day early from her holiday so she could be with us for the birth of our second. Amazing ! Good luck!

[ally30_1998]

Nice to hear that its still such a good service there. I had my son in hospital nearly 20 years ago now, but I had a wonderful midwife from clapham family practise who came out and bullied my GP in to referring me to hospital for a blood transfusion when my son was 5 days old (rubbish birth at st georges - started off pregnancy in wandsworth...).
I was also registered with the practise in clapham park for many years before i moved back to wandsworth and had to reregister. They were always very good and have some very good GPs there - much better than the ones where i am now.

[runningmummy]

I used the Clapham Family Practice midwives for my home birth 2 years ago. I am about to use them again. They were fantastic and were at my house within 20 mins of going into labour. Most of the midwives are brilliant (with the exception of 1 or 2). I would highly recommend. The home birth was amazing.

[IheartNZ]

I had the fortune of having the Clapham Family Practice midwifery team support me in what turned out to be a very traumatic birth. They were absolutely incredible. I ended up going through four midwives during the labour because it went on so long(!) and then one of them, who had been awake for hours, returned from home just to be by my side for the birth, foregoing her sleep. They were all really dedicated, compassionate, understanding, supportive, available and respectful in what was one of the most traumatic events of my life. I will never forget the support they provided - in the midst of extreme stress they didn't waiver. If you have the fortune of having these wonderful ladies support you in your birth, you have the best help around!