Community Midwifery Teams – NHS Borders
NHS Borders Community midwives provide antenatal, postnatal care and intrapartum care through our Home Birth Service, across the Scottish Borders. Supporting women and families in their local communities alongside care provided at Borders General Hospital.
NHS Borders community midwifery services are committed to providing continuity of care throughout your pregnancy journey. You will be supported by a named midwife and a Buddy midwife who will be associated with your care wherever possible. This will help to provide consistent support and build trusted relationships throughout pregnancy and after birth.
Your pregnancy will usually be booked with the maternity service between 8–10 weeks of pregnancy. However, it is important to register your new pregnancy with the midwifery Team as soon you receive a positive pregnancy Test. During the booking appointment, your midwife will discuss your health, pregnancy care and ongoing support available to you.
NHS antenatal education sessions will be offered during your third trimester. Your midwife will provide details of these sessions.
Berwickshire Team
Covering:
· Eyemouth
· Kelso
· Duns
The Berwickshire community midwifery team provides care across eastern Borders communities, including antenatal and postnatal support within local clinics and home settings.
Telephone -
Eyemouth: 01890 752 623
Kelso: 01573 227 994
Duns: 01361 885 013
Teviot Team
Covering:
· Hawick
· Newcastleton
· Jedburgh
The Teviot team supports women and families throughout the Teviot locality, delivering community-based maternity care and continuity throughout pregnancy and the postnatal period.
Telephone: 01450 361 006
Central Team
Tweeddale Area
Covering:
· Peebles
· Innerleithen
· West Linton
Telephone: 01721 726 980
Eildon Area
Covering:
· Galashiels
· Selkirk
· Melrose
· Earlston
· Stow
· Lauder
Roxburgh Street Midwives – Galashiels
Women registered with the following GP surgeries will attend the Roxburgh Street Surgery midwives based in Galashiels:
· Roxburgh Street Surgery
· Selkirk Medical Practice
· Earlston Surgery
· Stow Surgery
· Lauder Surgery
Telephone: 01896 661 287
Galashiels Health Centre Midwives
Women registered with the following GP surgeries will attend the Galashiels Health Centre midwives:
· Waverley Medical Centre
· Mairches Medical Practice
· Braeside Medical Group
· Melrose Medical Practice
Telephone: 01896 661 369
The Central team provides maternity care across central Borders towns and rural communities, offering local antenatal clinics, home visiting and postnatal support
NHS Borders Pregnancy Information Guide
Your First Booking Appointment
Congratulations on your pregnancy. Your first main antenatal appointment is called your booking appointment or booking visit. This is usually arranged between 8 and 10 weeks of pregnancy with your midwife. During this appointment, your midwife will begin planning your care throughout pregnancy.
What to expect at your booking appointment
Your booking appointment can last around 1–2 hours. Your midwife may:
· Ask about your medical history and previous pregnancies
· Ask about your family medical history
· Discuss your physical and emotional wellbeing
· Check your height, weight and blood pressure
· Arrange blood tests and screening tests
· Discuss healthy lifestyle choices in pregnancy
· Talk about smoking, alcohol, medicines and exercise
· Give information about scans and future appointments
· Explain your options for maternity care and place of birth
· Answer any questions or concerns you may have
Your midwife will also discuss:
· Diet and nutrition
· Vitamins and supplements
· Vaccinations in pregnancy
· Mental health support
· Feeding choices for your baby
· Support available after birth
Ready Steady Baby
Ready Steady Baby is NHS Scotland’s pregnancy and parenting information resource.
Useful links:
Your booking appointment | Ready Steady Baby!
Eating well in pregnancy | Ready Steady Baby!
Vitamins and minerals in pregnancy| Ready Steady Baby!
Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
Some foods carry a higher risk of food poisoning or infections during pregnancy.
Avoid or limit:
· Raw or undercooked meat
· Raw shellfish
· Unpasteurised milk and dairy products
· Soft mould-ripened cheeses such as brie or camembert unless cooked thoroughly
· Liver and liver products (high in vitamin A)
· Shark, swordfish and marlin due to high mercury levels
· Too much tuna
· Raw eggs unless they have the British Lion mark
· Alcohol
Caffeine
Try to limit caffeine to no more than 200mg per day (around 2 mugs of instant coffee).
Further information:
Eating well in pregnancy | Ready Steady Baby!
Recommended Vitamins in Pregnancy
Folic Acid
Take:
· 400 micrograms daily before pregnancy and until 12 weeks pregnant
Folic acid helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
Vitamin D
Pregnant and breastfeeding women are recommended to take:
· 10 micrograms (10mcg) daily
Vitamins to avoid
Do not take supplements containing:
· Vitamin A (retinol)
· Cod liver oil
Free vitamins in Scotland
Pregnant women in Scotland are entitled to free Healthy Start vitamins. Ask your midwife for more information.
Useful links:
Pregnancy vitamins and supplements - NHS
Healthy eating in pregnancy - Best Start in Life - NHS
Postnatal Care after Discharge from Hospital
After you and your baby are discharged from hospital, your care will continue at home and in the community.
Midwife support
A community midwife will usually:
· Visit you at home after discharge
· Check your physical recovery
· Support with feeding your baby
· Monitor your baby’s weight and wellbeing
· Offer advice about safe sleeping and newborn care
· Discuss emotional wellbeing and mental health
· Answer any questions or concerns
You will usually remain under midwifery care for around the first 10 days after birth, although this may vary depending on your needs.
Health visitor support
Following discharge from midwifery care, a health visitor will continue supporting you and your baby.
They can help with:
· Feeding support
· Your baby’s development
· Emotional wellbeing
· Parenting advice
· Accessing local support services
Useful links:
After the birth | Ready Steady Baby!
Going home with your baby | Ready Steady Baby!
Your mental health and wellbeing after birth | Ready Steady Baby!