The difference between community midwives/hospital midwives?

[kaybee]

Hi, just wondered if anyone can tell me how it works! It's a bit confusing, so pls bear with me...

I live out in the sticks (on the border of three different counties, let's call them 1, 2 and 3 for the purpose of this post) and a MW visits my local surgery 2 mornings a month. She comes from a MW-led unit in a town half hour away, through country lanes, which is within county 1 (the county in which I technically live). My actual closest hospital is in county 2 and is about 15-20 mins away, but this is MW-led care only too. Because a problem was detected in my bloods which make me and the baby more prone to clots I've opted for a hospital birth in county 3, which is about 30-40 mins drive away.

You still with me?!

Anyway, all my prenatal appointments will be at my GP's surgery with the community MW from MW led unit in county 1, with the exception of my scans which I've been having at hospital (county 3). When I go for scans I only see the sonographer and the consultant - no midwives as such.

Does this mean I'll never meet any of the midwives that will be helping me deliver my baby? And what is a 'named' midwife that I've heard a few people refer to on here? Is that a midwife at the hospital or a community MW?

Sorry if I'm rambling and sounding dull, I'm just not sure I properly understand how it works, or if there's any need to know. I guess what will be will be and it's not like I can time the baby to come when a certain MW is on her shift anyway!

 

[nazmomi]

your named midwife is your community midwife who will see you through your pregnancy and visit you after the birth to check on you and your LO.

Chances are you might not meet the midwife who will deliver your baby if you dont see a midwife when you have hospital check ups. Do you get the chance to have a look around the labour ward? You may meet someone then.

It is worrying thinking you may not meet the peson delivering your baby until the big day but I'm sure all will go well for you

 

[Fluffy Bunny]

Hi, confusing isn't it - and different counties/ hospital trusts work in different ways.
It is most likely that you'll never meet the midwife who delivers your baby beforehand (esp if you are opting for a main hosp birth). Your named midwife is the midwife you see on a regularish basis at your local GP surgery. She is your first contact point if you have any questions/ worries during your pregnancy.

This is why your pregnancy notes become your best friend, with seeing so many different people it will be their first reference point. It will be wise to have a rough birth plan written out/ make sure your birthing partner knows your wishes so you get what you want at the hospital - and it would be a good idea to go and have a look around the maternity unit beforehand (although you won't meet the midwife who delivers your baby unless your really lucky!) it will make you feel more comfortable with where you are going when you are in labour.

You sound really close to me - I live nr melton and my midwifes work out of melton birth centre (in fact thats where I'll give birth) but have all my scans at Leic general hosp but could choose to go to Queens hosp in Notts if I prefer

 

[kaybee]

Thanks, both, for explaining it, I was getting so confused, but it sounds like it's the same as everyone else anyway!

You sound really close to me - I live nr melton and my midwifes work out of melton birth centre (in fact thats where I'll give birth) but have all my scans at Leic general hosp but could choose to go to Queens hosp in Notts if I prefer

My community MW is from Melton too, I think she's called Linda? I live in the northern-most village in Leicestershire, right on the border of Notts & Lincs too. I've opted for QMC as it's the quickest hospital to get to even though it's a different county, though I am wondering whether to opt for City instead as I've heard more people rate it (tbh I don't really know anyone who's had a baby at Queens). I love the idea of giving birth at Melton but was a bit scared about a) hubby driving through the lanes at break neck speeds to get me there and b) having to be transferred to main hospital if my blood clots. Probably being far too over-cautious really!

 

[Fluffy Bunny]

Thanks, both, for explaining it, I was getting so confused, but it sounds like it's the same as everyone else anyway!

You sound really close to me - I live nr melton and my midwifes work out of melton birth centre (in fact thats where I'll give birth) but have all my scans at Leic general hosp but could choose to go to Queens hosp in Notts if I prefer

My community MW is from Melton too, I think she's called Linda? I live in the northern-most village in Leicestershire, right on the border of Notts & Lincs too. I've opted for QMC as it's the quickest hospital to get to even though it's a different county, though I am wondering whether to opt for City instead as I've heard more people rate it (tbh I don't really know anyone who's had a baby at Queens). I love the idea of giving birth at Melton but was a bit scared about a) hubby driving through the lanes at break neck speeds to get me there and b) having to be transferred to main hospital if my blood clots. Probably being far too over-cautious really!

You can't be over cautious hun, its what you feel most comfortable with Big hospitals scare me, thats why I like the birth centre. Plus its 5mins from my house rather than 40mins+ to leic or notts hosps.
I think my midwife first time round was called Linda she was lovely, a bit older with short mousy hair. In fact, she lived up somewhere near you in a village nr belvoir castle so it would fit she does the surgeries up that way too. My midwife this time round is called Anna, she's lovely too
I've not heard anything negative about either of the Notts hosps - the only advantage I know city has over Queens is that they offer 'new parent rooms', a bit like a hotel room which you can pay for and it means you can stay a few nights at the hosp with OH and baby all together if you don't feel like going straight home but also don't want to stay on a ward.

Good Luck