Congratulations on your pregnancy
This is a maternity information website provided for women of Porirua and surrounding areas.
Postnatal Midwifery Care
Porirua to Paekakariki.
An LMC is your Lead Maternity Carer. This is the person qualified to provide you with appropriate maternity care. In New Zealand, this is usually a midwife as the universally recognised experts in normal pregnancy care, birth, and postnatal care. Midwifery care is therefore fully funded and free.
Having that continuity of one Lead Maternity Care midwife can be really satisfying as you develop a reciprocal and trusting relationship. It can also achieve best outcomes, with one health professional most familiar with your maternity and health history leading your care.
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LMC midwives work independently, in charge of managing their own caseload. They also have support from other midwives, often in groups or partnerships. They also interact and consult with other health professionals on a regular basis where it is essential to someone's plan of care. This could be obstetricians, nurses, or GPs.
An LMC midwife undergoes continuing education and review once
qualified, to maintain their annual practicing certificate.
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What does postnatal LMC care mean?
Some women will only need an LMC midwife for their postnatal care, that is, after the baby has been born. This could be for women who are:
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under hospital care
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moving to the area late in pregnancy, or after birth
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planning on a caesarean section
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In any situations you are able to have your own fully funded LMC midwife for free postnatal care. This will include all visits at home by negotiation for four-six weeks, once you have been discharged home (if you have birthed in a hospital facility).
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You are able to arrange a postnatal midwife while still pregnant. Please contact me to check on my availability. If it is suitable, you will be able to ask your current care provider to list me as your postnatal LMC. This will ensure your current provider, or hospital, contacts me after the birth of your baby so I can commence your postnatal care.
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My style of midwifery care
I have experienced midwifery care myself and know how empowering and enlightening this time can be, especially when supported by a midwife who listens to you and will work with you and your beliefs.
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Postnatally, the transition to becoming a parent (again) and getting to know your new baby can be daunting as well as the best thing in the world. Its such a big responsibility taking this new baby home and being their parent. Midwives support you through this with help getting to know your baby and their cues, knowing whats normal and what isn't, and understanding how to feed and care for
your baby. Helping mum to recover and thrive is vital during this stage. Being there to support other parents and family to fully participate too is part of helping with the postnatal transition.
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Before our six weeks is up we will have ensured your baby is feeding well, meeting milestones, adjusting, and that you are able to read cues. We will have worked out methods to help you and your baby establish a pattern that optimises your wellbeing. You will be offered referral to a Well Child provider of your choice, such as Plunket, Ora Toa Tamariki Ora, or Maraeroa.
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We'll also ensure that you, mama, have recovered well from birth, and adjusted to your new role. If any further referrals are warranted for ongoing care for yourself, this will be arranged prior to discharge from my care. Ultimately, I aim to leave a happy family.