There are two midwives based at The College Practice – Kirstie Lancaster and Jane Kelly.
Kirstie Lancaster – I qualified in 1997 at Leicester and have since worked in many places at home and abroad. These include a 5 month stint in Albania, setting up a clinic in India, 5 months in a refugee camp in Sudan, a year in Ethiopia and over 8 years as a community midwife in a birth centre in Worcestershire. I am interested in helping to increase birthing support networks, breastfeeding and am also a student mentor. Out of work I live with my Springer Spaniel called Merv.
Jane Kelly – I qualified in 2007 and was a unit midwife for 21/2 years dealing with both high and low risk births. I am interested in helping to normalise birthing and in promoting home births. I will be involved in the birthing unit from September 2011 onwards. I am also trained as a mentor for student midwives. Out of work I am married with 2 children who are 15 and 13 and a dog called Fraser.
Pre-conception Care
You may make a midwife or GP appointment for the information you need when planning a pregnancy. Alternatively, visit NHS direct at http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk for up to date advice and information.
Pregnancy Care
Ideally we will meet you between 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, with your partner if you have one, for a booking in appointment. This appointment takes up to an hour and is really important time for us to get to know each other and to plan the best type of maternity care for you and your baby.
We will then see you regularly during your pregnancy to check that your baby is growing well and to make sure you are not developing any pregnancy related problems. We will also visit you at home for up to 28 days after the baby arrives (we will discharge you when you are feeling confident with your new baby). we do not normally attend hospital births but we do attend homebirths (we share the on-call rota with the other midwives in the Maidstone team).
We are very happy to support you in planning for a home birth, even if this is your first baby, if everything seems to be normal. Many women nowadays choose to have their babies at home because this can be a wonderful experience. Research has shown that a homebirth is as safe as a hospital birth, and may be even safer. You are less likely to need a caesarean section or other medical intervention if you plan to have a homebirth and your labour may well be quicker and less painful. If you are interested we can put you in touch with someone locally who has had a homebirth. It is also worth exploring the following website: www.homebirth.org.uk for lots of lovely birth stories and ideas. Of course you may have your baby in hospital as well! Up until 21st September 2011 we will deliver at Maidstone. After this date low risk deliveries will take place in the Stand Alone Midwifery Birth Centre at Maidstone Hospital. All other deliveries will take place at Pembury Hospital. Antenatal clinics and scans are still held at Maidstone Hospital for all women.
Remember that a baby is normally born sometime between 37 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. It is very unlikely to come on your due date! Induction of labour is 14 days after your due date.
Contact details for your Midwife
| Community midwives Office (Mon-Fri 8-4) | 01892 638158 |
| The College Road Practice (Wed, Thurs and Fri am) | 01622 752345 |
| Midwifes will do all First ante natal bookings. Leave your details with the receptionist and she will pass these on. The midwife will contact you to arrange a meeting. | |
| If you need to talk to a midwife urgently, call the labour ward | 01622 224160 |
As a rough guide you will be seen at the following stages of your pregnancy:
| 8-10 weeks | Booking appointment (approx 40-60 mins) | Leave details with College Practice |
| 11-14 weeks | Quadruple blood test and scan are optional. | Maidstone Hospital |
| 16 weeks | Midwife Check | College Practice |
| 20-23 weeks | Anomaly (detailed). Scan (optional) | Maidstone Hospital |
| 24 weeks | Antenatal check, MAT B1 (benefits) form issued | College Practice |
| 28 weeks | Antenatal check and blood tests | College Practice |
| 31 weeks | Antenatal check | College Practice |
| 34 weeks | Antenatal check | College Practice |
| 36 weeks | Antenatal check, birth talk (optional) | College Practice |
| 38 weeks | Antenatal check | College Practice |
| 40 weeks | Antenatal check | College Practice |
| 41 weeks | Antenatal check and organise induction of labour if baby not born yet. Offer membrane sweep. | College Practice |
Appointments normally take15 minutes. We try to give you enough time to discuss anything that’s concerning you, not just to do a physical check. This means that sometimes we run a bit late; if so please be patient as we are probably with someone who needs some extra time.
Resources
We have many research based leaflets on all aspects of pregnancy and birth – just ask. The internet is an excellent source of information. We are happy to recommend the following websites as reliable and helpful:
www.infochoice.org (15 excellent research based leaflets on pregnancy and birth)
www.birthchoice.com(helps you choose where to have your baby and lots more0
www.maternityallliance.org(specialist advice on maternity rights and benefits)
www.withwoman.co.uk(site designed by midwives for midwives and women)
www.nctpregnancyandbabycare.com(National Childbirth Trust)
www.activebirthcentre.com(information about active births and waterbirths)
www.homebirth.org.uk(research, stories and information about homebirth)
We look forward to getting to know you over the next few months. Please phone us if you have any worries or questions.