Welcome to the Saffron Walden Community Midwives. The midwives are based at Saffron Walden Community Hospital and provide antenatal, postnatal and home birth care.
Specific Patient Information
We will first meet you around 10 weeks, at your Booking appointment for the Hospital of your chioce. When we have an opportunity to discuss your medical and social history, have blood and ultra sound screening tests discuss the appropriate place of birth for you.
A plan of care for your pregnancy is discussed (following the appropriate clinical guidelines) according to whether you are high or low risk.
If you are low risk your care will be shared between the Midwifery team and your GP. If at booking you are assessed as being in the high risk category, you will be referred for Consultant care (if at any time during your pregnancy you are deemed to have a problem the Midwife or GP will also refer you to the high risk clinic at the hospital where you will have Consultant care).
We discuss your birth plan with you and as appropriate can offer you the option to have your baby at home or the Princess Alexandra Maternity unit, either on the Birthing Unit or the Labour Ward.
Blood tests are taken at your GP surgery at 16 weeks. Ultrasound Scans are done at 12 and 20 weeks at the hospital you have chosen to deliver at.
Antenatal appointments take place at the Saffron Walden Community Hospital as and when required.
Parentcraft classes are held for first time parents on Saturday mornings and locally there are private classes for anyone who wants them.
Once you have had your baby, the midwife will visit your house the day following your discharge from hospital where the midwife will plan further visits with you, either at home or at postnatal clinics as you and your baby require.
All the Midwives and the Maternity Care Assistant are fully trained to help you with breast feeding through the hospitals commitment to ‘Baby Friendly Initiative’ (BFI).
