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Why continuity of care is important in pregnancy and how you can find it for yourself!
With my second pregnancy in my booking appointment, I was assigned to a midwife who was on long-term sick.
This meant I saw a different midwife at every appointment, who told me they were just covering…
I was told if I needed help, instead of calling my midwife (which would go straight to voicemail as she was off sick!!) I should just ring the hospital and explain my situation.
Why is continuity of care important in pregnancy?
A Cochrane review found women who had midwife‐led continuity models of care were less likely to:
Experience regional analgesia (epidural)
Have an episiotomy
Have an instrumental birth
Were more likely to experience:
No painkillers or anesthesia during Labour
A spontaneous vaginal birth.
Longer length of Labour (odd one! Maybe because they called their trusted midwife sooner?!)
Women who were randomized to receive midwife‐led continuity models of care were less likely to experience preterm birth and fetal loss before 24 weeks gestation.
Thankfully I soon realised that this was less than ideal, kicked up a fuss, and was assigned to a gem of a midwife who I saw for the rest of my pregnancy!
But how many women didn’t speak up and were passed from pillar to post their entire pregnancy?
How many things were missed because they didn’t want to bother the hospital but probably would have spoken to their midwife?
If you can find a team that practices caseload care or has a small team of midwives, do it! The evidence speaks for itself!
How a Virtual Doula / Birth Coach can provide continuity of care.
Virtual Doula continuity of care can provide a lot of the benefits of other models
My Doula in your-pocket service means you can have someone to talk to 24/7.
Someone who is there for YOU and not bound by hospital policy and guidelines, helping you make the best decisions for you and not the institution.
You will have access to someone who has time and LOVES to talk about planning your perfect birth and can help with suggestions about reducing those pregnancy niggles.
Someone who has time for you, and who you can ask embarrassing questions, whenever they come to mind!
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