More Choices For Pregnant Women In Exeter, England

Main Category: Pregnancy / Obstetrics
Article Date: 26 Nov 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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Women in Exeter now have the choice of getting in touch directly with their community midwife when they find out they are pregnant.

Women can still go to their own GP to be referred to the Exeter Maternity Unit in the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital (Wonford) if they wish, but they now also have the option of contacting their RD&E community midwife themselves to start their ante natal care earlier.

RD&E Community Midwifery Matron Maria Patterson said: "The earlier a woman can develop a relationship with her midwife the better in terms of improved communication and expectations of the midwifery service. We are now aiming for all women to be seen by their midwife prior to 10 weeks of pregnancy and for a first appointment at eight weeks. This means that timely advice and support can be given regarding the health of mum and baby throughout the pregnancy and address any concerns or issues, including smoking, high blood pressure, diet, stress and weight. Women can still go to their own GP and wait for referral to our midwives but they also now have the choice, if they prefer to get in touch with their midwife directly. Either way the GP is informed when their patient is in the care of our midwifery team."

The RD&E community midwives are based in four Children's Centres in Exeter.

Women who have taken a positive pregnancy test can contact the midwife for the following areas to make an appointment:

Willowbrook Children's Centre 01392 463092 (residents in Mount Pleasant, Pinhoe, Whipton, Beacon Heath, Pennsylvania, Stoke Hill and St Davids)

Ladysmith Children's Centre 01392 429010 (Heavitree, Topsham, Countess Weir, Wonford, Kings Heath, Polsloe, Lympstone, Ebford, Woodbury, Clyst St Mary and Exton)

Central Children's Centre 01392 406686 (Exeter city centre, St Leonards, Ide Lane, Alphington, Clyst Heath, Hill Barton)

Westexe Children's Centre 01392 456060 (Exwick, Cowick, Starcross, Exminster, Kenn, Kennford, Alphington, Half Moon)

Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
http://www.rdehospital.nhs.uk

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