020 7873 2327
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.
Our Full Package allows you to have complete continuity of care by seeing the same two midwives throughout your pregnancy and for four weeks after the birth with telephone support beyond that. All the research shows that continuity of care improves your chances of a good birth. It will give you the reassurance needed to inspire confidence in your new role as a parent. Our care will also ensure that your physical recovery will be smoother allowing you to more readily enjoy the early weeks with your baby.
If you book with us early in your pregnancy our full package is the best value for money involving about twenty visits with us depending on when your baby is born.
Our schedule of appointments means that you will be seen regularly from the beginning with visits increasing towards your due date. We see you in your home and our hour-long antenatal visits can be in place of routine midwife hospital appointments helping you avoid conflicting advice and waiting times there. You will still be entitled to everything the NHS offers and when you have your scans and blood tests we can help you make sense of them. If we detect problems we will ensure that you are referred for the services you need.
We know that pregnant women are all different and so we offer care for clients planning home birth and wanting to avoid hospital as much as possible but also for clients who very much want or need to have their baby in hospital but want to have support and an advocate during the process. We help you plan your birth by giving you the research-based information to help you make the best choices for you and your baby.
Our postnatal care begins from when your baby is born. If your baby is born at home we will visit you again within 12 to 24 hours and if your birth is in hospital we usually visit you on the day you come home but can visit you in hospital if your stay is prolonged for any reason. We see you every day for the first few days and then arrange the visits as you need them over the next three weeks.
We are on call for you not just for labour but in between appointments. We want to give you complete peace of mind. Having a baby is something you will only do a few times in your life and your maternity care should be as special as your baby.