FAQs
Why should I choose Regents Midwifery Practice?
We provide our clients with the very best professional midwifery care and advice with a very personal and individualised approach. We offer a one to one service which will allow you to get to know your midwife throughout your pregnancy and enable you to feel comfortable and secure during labour. Information and advice that we offer is based on up to date research and a wealth of experience which will enable you and your partner to make informed choices about the health and well being of both you and your baby. Safety is of paramount importance to us and we ensure that we have good communications with local medical services, as well as access to emergency medical support at all times.
How much do you charge?
Prices are available on request and are dependent on your individual circumstances.
Do I continue with my local NHS midwives if I book with you?
There is no need for you to continue to see the NHS midwives or your GP for antenatal care. All your visits will continue in your own home with your independent midwife. Your independent midwife can still refer you to a consultant obstetrician or other specialist if there is a need.
What if I am being seen by the hospital obstetric consultant?
You can continue to see your obstetric consultant at your local hospital and we can attend appointments with you if you like.
What about insurance?
Independent midwives used to be covered by indemnity insurance up until March 2002. Since this date there has no longer been any insurance available to independent midwives working in the United Kingdom. For more information on the issue of insurance and independent midwives, please visit Independent Midwives Association web site.
What if I want a home waterbirth?
We are all fully trained in waterbirths and homebirths. We also provide and run waterbirth and homebirth workshops, which help you to prepare for the birth.
Who will be at my home delivery?
You can have whoever you like at the delivery. Your primary midwife will be with you for the delivery but there will also be a secondary midwife available as back up for the birth. You will have met the secondary midwife during your pregnancy.
What if there is a problem during my home delivery?
Your midwife will be closely monitoring you throughout your labour and if there are any causes for concern, she may discuss transferring you into hospital for delivery. Your midwife will travel into the hospital with you where she will hand over your care to the hospital midwives and doctors. She will then remain with you in a support capacity only.
What sort of emergency training do you have?
Independent midwives are fully trained in dealing with obstetric emergencies that may occur in a home birth situation. We do regular updates in maternal and neonatal resuscitation, and attend regular updates in a variety of other emergency skills. We have a supervisor of midwives who ensures that we are competent and safe to practice and who also ensures that all our equipment is checked on a yearly basis.
What sort of equipment do you carry?
We carry all the equipment necessary to deliver your baby at home. When you are 36 weeks gestation, we leave a home delivery box at your home which contains all of our delivery equipment. When you are in established labour we bring entenox (gas & air) for you to use as pain relief as well as emergency drugs to manage any heavy bleeding after the birth. We also carry baby resuscitation equipment such as oxygen, suction and baby bag and mask.
How long will my independent midwife continue to look after me and my baby after the birth?
We continue to look after you following the birth of your baby for up to 28 days. We will also provide you with telephone support until your baby is six weeks old.
If I have a hospital delivery will I still pay the full cost?
Yes. There are never any guarantees about delivering at home and whether you have chosen to deliver in hospital or whether you have been transferred in, your midwife will still be a valuable support to you.