Pregnancy
“If you don’t know your choices, you don’t have any”
From the first time you contact us, Midwives Perth wants to ensure you are supported and feel cared for and special. At your initial visit to Midwives Perth, you will find out what your options are and have any questions you may have answered. There is a range of choices available in all communities and Midwives Perth ensures that you know what they are. When you choose midwifery continuity of care you have your own personal midwife, contact, health care provider and counselor throughout your pregnancy birth and beyond.
Antenatal Visits
Antenatal appointments are scheduled throughout your pregnancy. It is at these appointments that your midwife will perform all the checks on the baby’s growth, your health, and your baby’s heart rate. Your midwife will order blood tests and any scans you may need and is able to provide all the elements of your pregnancy care.
The midwives will want to see you approximately every four weeks from 12 weeks of pregnancy through to 28 weeks, then every two weeks up to 36 weeks, then weekly until the birth of your baby. This outline guides the frequency of visits particularly for women in their first pregnancy. Your midwife may wish to see you more often if she is concerned about any aspects of your pregnancy – physical, emotional, psychological or your baby.
We understand that women lead very busy lives and that waiting around for an appointment can be frustrating. At My Midwives Perth, we pride ourselves on creating an environment that suits families and working parents, and on minimizing waiting times. Our clinics are family friendly and often we can cater for appointments out of hours as required. The majority of your appointments will be from 40 minutes to an hour. You need to get to know us and we want to get to know you.
Pregnancy Planning/Care plan visit
An important part of planning for your birth is your pregnancy care plan visit. Your pregnancy care plan visit generally occurs at around 24 weeks but can occur as late as 36 weeks depending on when you book care with Midwives Perth. During this visit, you and your midwife will concentrate on your priorities and preferences for the birth of your baby. You may have touched on this in previous visits yet we allow sufficient time for you and your midwife to discuss this very important step towards your best birth. Many topics are covered in the care plan visit including your pregnancy and birth expectations, your expectations, the type of birth you are aiming for, what you are doing and what you can do to prepare for this. As this visit concentrates on education it is important to aim to include your partner and any support people you may intend to have present at your birth. This visit is 1 ½ hours and also includes an antenatal check. The midwife may order bloods and scans at this visit if required.
