Experiencing pregnancy introduces you and your partner to a variety of health professionals you wouldn’t ordinarily come across. Here is our quick guide to the health professionals you will meet on this journey and what they are responsible for.
Midwife
You will meet a midwife at the first booking appointment, they are the main providers of care and they work both in hospital maternity units and in the community as part of a team. 99.6% of midwives are women. They 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. There are now some hospitals that offer Midwifery Led Units (MLU) in which to have your baby. They are specifically for low risk pregnancies.
Obstetrician – looks after ladies
An obstetrician is a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and childbirth. You may see an obstetrician or another qualified doctor who is trained in obstetrics. Obstetricians are likely to be heavily involved if there is a problem with your pregnancy or birth but, if everything is fine, the chances are you may not need to see one.
Paediatrician – looks after babies
A Paediatrician is a doctor who specialises in babies and children. A neonatologist is a paediatrician who specialises in newborn babies. If there are any worries about your baby’s health, a paediatrician may be present at the birth. A paediatrician may also check your baby over before you go home from hospital, although this is increasingly being done by midwives who have completed training in this specialised area of care.
Health visitor
A Health Visitor is a nurse or midwife who has had extra training in child development and health promotion and who works in the community, either with a specific GP practice (or practices) or within a specific area. You will be introduced to your Health Visitor during pregnancy, previously their role started when the baby was approx 10 days old and they effectively took over from the midwife. Health visitors give support and advice to parents and their children on a range of topics such as breastfeeding, weaning and potty training. 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.
Ultrasonographer
This is the professional who operates the ultrasound scanning equipments based in hospitals.
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.
Dieticians
A dietician can give advice on food and nutrition, especially if you have specific needs, for example, if you have diabetes or Coeliac disease.
Students and 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.
Health Care Assistants
HCAs can work with infants, children, young people and supporting midwives and health visitors in the delivery of nursing care. Their role is to assist the health care professionals. Tasks include weighing babies, recording babies’ progress in their health records or taking urine or blood samples.
What have your experiences with these health professionals been? Have they been positive or negative? Join or start the conversation below.
