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Who's involved in your care?

Here is a list and description of the maternity clinicians and services you may come across during your pregnancy.  It’s helpful to know who does what so that you have a good knowledge about the different types of maternity care available to you throughout your pregnancy journey.

Antenatal Care

Antenatal care is provided mainly by your midwife, but you may see other healthcare professionals such as your family nurse, an obstetrician, your GP and health visitor.

Midwife

A midwife will be the main provider of care for most pregnant women. Midwives are highly-skilled, qualified professionals who provide expert care for women during normal pregnancy, childbirth and after the birth. Midwives are trained to make sure everything goes as well as possible and to recognise any potential problems for you and your baby.

You will meet your midwife at the first booking appointment. If you are 18 years of age or under, you may be offered a midwife called a family nurse to support you. Midwives work both in maternity units and in the community as part of a team. Other members of the team may also care for you during your pregnancy or after the birth of your baby.

Maternity Support Worker (MSW)

Maternity support workers help midwives provide care to women, their partners and babies, before, during and after childbirth. Under the direction of a qualified midwife, they support families on labour wards, in maternity theatres, on post-natal wards, or in the community.

General Practitioners (GPs)/Family Doctor

General Practitioners (GPs) are qualified doctors. Your GP will continue to provide all your general healthcare needs during your pregnancy.

Health Visitor

A health visitor is a nurse or midwife who has had extra training in child development and health promotion who works in the community, either with a specific GP practice (or practices) or within a specific area. Health visitors give support and advice to parents and their children until the age of 5 and have a role in protecting the health of the whole community. They have experience and knowledge about what’s going on in your area, including support groups.

You will have regular contact with your health visitor in your own home. You can also contact your health visitor in between home visits if you need advice and support.

Obstetrician

An obstetrician is a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and childbirth. Obstetricians are likely to be involved if there is a problem with your pregnancy or birth but, if everything is fine, you may not see one.

Pediatrician

A pediatrician is a doctor who specialises in babies, children and teenagers.  If there are any worries about your baby’s health, a pediatrician may be present at the birth. A pediatrician may also check your baby over before you go home from hospital.

Neonatologist

A neonatologist specialises mainly in special care for newborn babies who are born with major health issues and works in neonatal intensive care units of hospitals.  In some cases, after a newborn has been discharged, a neonatologist may continue to provide short-term follow-up care on an outpatient basis.  The neonatologist will co-ordinate care with your baby’s pediatrician. 

Radiologist

This is a doctor who specialises in ultrasound.

Obstetric Physiotherapist

The role of the obstetric physiotherapist is to help you cope with the changes in your body’s shape and functions during pregnancy and after the birth.

Ultrasonographer

This is the professional who operates the ultrasound scanning equipment. This may be a midwife, a radiographer or an obstetrician.  Click on this video link  to a find out what happens at a scan.

You can also find further details about ultrasound scans in pregnancy on the NHSE A-Z website by clicking here.

Dietitian

A dietitian can give advice on food and nutrition, especially if you have specific needs, for example, if you have diabetes or coeliac disease during pregnancy.

Social Worker

Social workers can help to support families who have additional needs or are struggling to cope, if there are concerns for the welfare of the child, or if the child or a family member has additional needs. Your midwife or GP can put you in touch with a social worker if necessary.

Students & Trainee Health Professionals

All midwives, doctors and other health professionals need to be trained. You may be asked if you mind if students take part in your appointment. You have the right to refuse.

Appointments

Appointments will usually take place in GP surgeries, health centres, children and community centres or local midwifery units at your local Trust.

Women are strongly advised to attend regular appointments with midwives throughout their pregnancy.

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