Welcome to Midwife-led care
What to expect from Midwife-led care.
When you select Natural Birth, Midwife-led care, as your primary healthcare provider, we are dedicated to
accompanying you throughout the entire journey.
Your first visit with your midwife
Congratulations on your pregnancy and the new adventure ahead!
Midwife-led care by Midwife Specialist Jesica is available to all low risk pregnancies in Cape Town, Somerset West and surrounding areas.
You can contact us as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed.
For your initial, booking visit, we will require the results of your pregnancy blood tests and ultrasound reports (if you have them).
This will be followed by a comprehensive review of your medical and surgical history, as well as your obstetric history
Antenatal consultation Schedule
8-28 weeks: Once a month.
28-36 weeks: Once every 2 weeks.
36 weeks onwards: once a week until delivery
Examinations
Measure uterus (fundal height)
Palpating position of the baby
Listening to fetal heart
Taking blood pressure and pulse
Testing urine
Checking for odema and weighing
Discussing any pregnancy related problems.
Birth planning
Additional blood tests and ultrasounds may be recommended during the course of your pregnancy (two ultrasounds are mandatory).
We provide antenatal & postnatal care for both home and hospital births.
Should you choose a home birth, we will support you at every stage.
You can choose to have the birth in the comfort of your own home or at our home birth room. If you have an uncomplicated birth, we will assist you with both the active labour and the birth of your baby. Our facility offers birthing pools, which can be utilised for water births or as a form of pain relief during labour.
During antenatal visits, we will discuss labour signs, contraction monitoring, and when to contact us (typically during active labour). Furthermore, we will review your birth plan and the post-birth procedures, such as delayed cord clamping, skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding, etc.
We are fully equipped with the necessary medical supplies for labour, as well as emergency equipment such as oxygen, resuscitation equipment, IV lines, IV fluids, suturing materials and medications to manage bleeding if needed.
Mothers are encouraged to have a Doula for additional support during labour.
Following birth, we will remain with you for approximately two hours.
During this period, we will monitor both you and the baby for any complications, assist with breastfeeding, and ensure the health and comfort of both mother and baby.
Postnatal Care
Did you know that midwives are the only healthcare providers that provide care for both mothers and their newborns together after birth?
By offering early postpartum visits either in the comfort of your home or at our office in Somerset West, we ensure that our clients experience a supportive transition into motherhood. This approach allows for simultaneous assessments of both you and your baby, making those initial days of postpartum life smoother and more manageable.
Postnatal assessments for both mother and baby will be conducted around days 1, 3, 7, and 10 following the birth (more if needed).
For the mother, vital signs, breast condition, bleeding, fundal height, stitches (if suturing was performed in the event of tearing), etc will be assessed. The baby will be evaluated for jaundice, condition of the umbilical cord stump, vital signs, signs of eye infection, weight, breastfeeding support, etc.
If all is well after these visits, parents may proceed to make the first appointment with a paediatrician of their choice. The baby will also be referred to the baby clinic for further weight checks and care. We provide the Road to Health booklet as well as the birth notification required by the Department of Home Affairs.
In the event of an emergency
We are professionally trained and experienced in identifying potential problems, managing emergencies and providing immediate response in emergency situations.
Mediclinic Vergelegen serves as the designated backup facility for clients with a backup doctor in Somerset West, while Helderberg Hospital is designated for clients without a backup doctor. Clients planning home births in other cities will be directed to the nearest hospital, as previously established during our consultations.
In the event that complications arise necessitating a transfer to the backup hospital, we will promptly contact the obstetrician or the hospital to facilitate a swiftly and calm transfer.
