A midwife is specially trained to care for mothers and babies throughout normal pregnancy, labour and after the birth. Midwives from St Helier Hospital work both in hospital and in the community to provide better continuity of care.
A hospital midwife will see you each time you attend an antenatal clinic at St Helier Hospital. A midwife will look after you during labour and will probably deliver your baby, if there are no complications, otherwise a doctor will become involved too. You and your baby will be cared for by midwives on the postnatal ward until you go home.
A community midwife will get to know you before your baby is born and will visit you at home after you leave hospital. Community midwives are often attached to GPs' practices and may be involved in giving antenatal care. They are also able to deliver babies in community units and at home.
The Oaks team of midwives, led by Louise Simmonds, is dedicated to providing continuity of midwifery care to women with complex medical problems in pregnancy and women with physical disability. They specialise in co-ordinating communication between the multidisciplinary team and following through plans of care.
The Oaks team of midwives are available Monday to Friday to review any inpatients (delivery suite or maternity ward) with complex medical needs to ensure their needs are being met.
