Welcome to the Harlow Community Team. We are a team of midwives, maternity care assistants and student midwives who have responsibility for the well being of pregnant women and their families living in Harlow and the surrounding areas. We aim to give informed choices to all women who use our service. Staff are very knowledgeable with individual specialities i.e. signing for deaf women, examination of new born babies and baby massage. We offer care for high and low risk women throughout pregnancy, delivery and after birth.
Specific Patient Information
You will have an initial appointment at the Birthing Unit at around 10 weeks to chat about medical and social history, have blood and ultra sound screening tests as appropriate.
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 Labour Ward.
Preparation for labour and delivery sessions take place each Saturday morning from 9:30 – 12:00. Breast feeding and taking your baby home workshops happen each Sunday on the Birthing Unit at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Following the birth of your baby a team member will visit you at home to assess your needs and frequency of contacts (these can be at home or the birthing unit at PAH). We are able to offer 28 day support where necessary, and provide a full service to mothers after the first ten days following childbirth.
