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Sage Femme have the safety of our clients as a top priority. Unfortunately, that means that we have had to make changes to the way we give care. This is under constant review. Currently hospitals are saying that women can have one non-interchangeable birth partner and therefore we are not able to accompany you into hospital unless we are in place of another birth partner. We can however do early labour home assessments and provide you with telephone support once you are in hospital.
We would request that you let us know if you or anyone in your household has symptoms so that we can avoid visiting at this time. If you have Covid symptoms or test positive it will be recommended that you have a hospital birth and unfortunately you will not be able to have a birth partner with you.
Our midwives will be wearing full protective equipment for appointments in your home. If you would prefer to have the reassurance of video appointments instead we can organise them in place of physical appointments if that will not negatively impact on your pregnancy. In the event that further assessment is necessary, we will liaise with your booked hospital to ensure that you get the required follow up. We will help you to make the right decisions regarding attendance at the hospital. The NHS is understandably under exceptional strain and we would like to reduce further stress on their systems and risk to you from this contagious virus by reducing unnecessary hospital attendance.
If you are thinking of independent midwife care further into your pregnancy, the twelve-visit package may suit your needs or your budget. It may be particularly suitable if your pregnancy is complicated and you need more input from the obstetric team at the hospital. You may be attending the hospital regularly for scans but still want some continuity from midwives that you get to know and trust. This shared approach to your care means that we can provide the balance ensuring that interventions used during your pregnancy and birth are appropriate for you and your baby and not decided according to capacity and staffing issues. We will individualise your care and ensure that you feel nurtured and not lost in the system.
We will plan our visits around your schedule of hospital appointments to ensure that there are no big gaps in your care. You can contact us between your visits with questions or concerns and we will be flexible around your needs. Your twelve visits can be either antenatal or postnatal. You may choose to have six of each but also may need less pregnancy care and more postnatal support. If you need further visits with us we will be happy to add them to your package.
Just as with the Full Package this includes care for a home birth or hospital birth and home early assessments if clinically appropriate.