Melanie Downie - Independent Midwife based in Plymouth, Devon

Services

Care packages

All appointments are in your home at a time that suits you. These usually last 1-2 hours and will cover all aspects of antenatal and birth education. Really preparing you for this journey. We can discuss previous birth experiences and work through anything you didn’t understand in a previous journey.

They will also cover new parenthood and what to expect in the first month after a new baby arrives and holding your own power during the fourth trimester to really thrive.

I advise all my clients to dual book initially for NHS care. This means you can have your bloods and scans for free with the NHS, but it also means if you need to attend to hospital for any urgent or emergency care that they have your details already and know you are pregnant. I will advise your local trust that you are accessing private midwifery care and there will be no obligation to attend any further appointments at the hospital or with an NHS midwife.  If you don't wish to access NHS care at all I can arrange for your bloods and scans privately so just ask!

If you have any obstetric appointments, I can attend those with you too as long as I am not attending a client in labour.

I only accept a very small caseload of clients for birth care (only 1-2 births a month) meaning I am able to provide a level of care and support that simply isn't available in the NHS care model. This also means I can guarantee I will be available when you go into labour, and I will be on call for you from 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Hospital birth / birth centre

Sometimes it may be recommended that giving birth in hospital is safer for you or your baby. We can explore these options and discuss what package is right for you and your feelings & needs as well as the safety of you and your baby. I am experienced in working with women birthing outside of guidance, so let’s discuss what those risk factors are and what they mean for you!

All Care is the same as with the homebirth package and tailored to your needs, the difference is I will attend the hospital once labour is happening.

Midwifery Advocate – what is it?

This is as a birth companion and to advocate for you wishes as well as providing physical & emotional support for you, helping you to decide what is best for you when you are offered options in your care pathway. In this circumstance, you would have an NHS midwife looking after you as well.

Elective caesarean birth

This works exactly the same as the hospital birth packages, but as I won’t need to be with you for an extended time in labour there is a slight difference in the cost of the packages

Other care packages