Midwifery Services
Choosing Midwifery Care
The Maternity Unit at The Portland Hospital is committed to maintaining the highest standards of practice based on current research and expertise. Since its inception, the midwife led delivery service has maintained high rates of normal deliveries, with low levels of intervention and Caesarean section. In 2006, 81% of women booked with the midwife led delivery service had a normal delivery with 19% planning a normal delivery which resulted in a Caesarean section.
As the Midwifery team exclusively provides all antenatal care, mothers-to-be benefit from continuity and develop a close relationship with the midwives who will then care and support them during labour and delivery. There is also the additional reassurance that, if needed, women can access the full maternity services including a High Dependency Unit (HDU) for mothers and intensive care for baby.
Our Philosophy
The philosophy at the heart of the midwifery service is that having a baby is a natural life event which requires adaptation to becoming a parent. The team believes that women can benefit from the expertise and professional support of a midwife to help to adapt to their new role.
The midwives support women wanting a natural birth, whilst ensuring that each birth experience is unique. For us as Midwives it is important that each woman has the experience they want so we work in partnership to provide care in a flexible, supportive way. We actively encourage mothers-to-be to make informed choices throughout pregnancy and childbirth. To aid this we provide objective and relevant information which empowers women to make these decisions.
It is our belief that a positive birth experience will help in adapting to your role as parents.
Our Care Package
Women booking under the midwifery led delivery service will undergo an assessment process to ensure that their pregnancy is considered low risk. Around eight out of ten deliveries are ‘normal’. The safety of mothers-to-be and their babies is our main concern and we take every effort to ensure you have a safe delivery. Our relationship with our Consultants is one based on mutual respect. It is only if a problem arises during pregnancy, labour or birth that the on-call Consultant Obstetricians would be involved.
The complete midwifery package includes all antenatal appointments with the midwives, three ultrasound scans and all blood tests as routinely required. The midwives are available on-call 24 hours a day for advice throughout pregnancy and for delivery. The package includes a 48 hour stay in hospital, inclusive of accommodation and midwifery charges, based on the time of admission and a consultation with a Physiotherapist.
Full details of the Midwifery led delivery package are available in the 2009 Midwifery Services Brochure.
