{"id":12926,"date":"2021-12-09T12:55:05","date_gmt":"2021-12-09T12:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/path-perinatal.eu\/uk\/?post_type=waf&p=12926"},"modified":"2022-07-19T11:30:42","modified_gmt":"2022-07-19T10:30:42","slug":"your-healthcare-team","status":"publish","type":"waf","link":"https:\/\/path-perinatal.eu\/uk\/waf\/your-healthcare-team\/","title":{"rendered":"Your healthcare team"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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There are lots of different health care professionals that you will meet during your pregnancy and after your baby is born.<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n
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General Practitioners (GPs) <\/strong><\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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General Practitioners (GPs) are qualified doctors based in local surgeries. They focus on the whole of your health including physical, psychological and social aspects of your care. They will treat all common medical conditions and refer you to hospital or other specialist services if needed.

GPs and their primary care colleagues play an important role in identifying and supporting you and your family\u2019s mental health issues in the perinatal period, can prescribe medication and refer on to voluntary or specialist services depending on your needs.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Midwives (MWs) <\/strong><\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Midwives (MWs) are registered health care professionals offering care to the family during pregnancy, labour and birth and up to 28 days after the baby has been born. They can be based in the hospital or in the community and sometimes work in teams that provide continuity of care throughout the whole of your pregnancy and birth.

If a pregnancy or labour becomes complicated a midwife will refer you to a doctor, called an obstetrician, who is trained to deal with specific problems. Midwives are trained to support your mental health needs, as well as your physical wellbeing and are well placed to discuss any mental health concerns you may have, provide support, make initial assessments and refer you onto more specialist services if needed.

Independent midwives work outside the NHS.
Doulas and birth companions are not trained midwives but can provide support to you during pregnancy, birth and after your baby is born.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Health Visitors (HVs)<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Health Visitors (HVs) are registered nurses or midwives that have undertaken additional training in community public health nursing. They work with families offering support and advice during pregnancy and after the baby is born.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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