Can Anyone Hire an Independent Midwife?

Hopefully you’ve guessed that that is a trick question! Anyone pregnant or post-partum can hire an independent midwife. 

Hiring an Independent Midwife for a Home Birth

An independent midwife will see you at home for all aspects of your pregnancy & postpartum journey and be on call you 24/7 from when you’re about 37 weeks pregnant

Hiring an Independent Midwife for a Hospital Birth or Planned (Elective) Caesarean

An independent midwife can be a great advocate for you in the maternity system, helping you navigate choices in an unfamiliar environment

Hiring an Independent Midwife if You Are Planning to Freebirth

Maybe you want an independent midwife just for one aspect of your care, for example your antenatal and postnatal care and the newborn examination.

Consulting an Independent Midwife for a Second Opinion

Perhaps you’ve been told something that doesn’t sit quite right; independent midwives look at you and your individual circumstances and they’ll give you truly evidence-based, non-judgemental information in a relaxed and unhurried setting.

Hiring an Independent Midwife to Help Write Your Birth Plan

Independent midwives want you to have a positive birth experience, whatever kind of birth you have. They can support you to write your plan A, B and C with their in-depth knowledge of birth and the maternity system and by helping you identify what is important to you

Does Being High Risk Mean You Can't Have an Independent Midwife?

It’s worth remembering that no additional factors in your pregnancy restrict you from having an independent midwife and in fact, having additional pregnancy considerations may be a great reason to hire an independent midwife. Having, for example, had a previous caesarean section, a breech baby, a multiple pregnancy, gestational diabetes or an existing medical condition do not exclude you from having an independent midwife.

Your independent midwives can liaise with your local NHS maternity services and other health professionals if indicated and wanted by you. Whatever your background, you deserve excellent care during your pregnancy. Continuity of care, and midwife-led models of care have been proven time and time again by research to support excellent outcomes in women and birthing people.

We are based in Folkestone but provide midwifery care all over Kent, so get in touch if you’re interested to learn how we could support you in your pregnancy.

How to Find an Independent Midwife Near You

Find My Midwife have a whole national directory of Independent Midwives, offering a variety of services – so if you’re not Kent based but would like an independent midwife, check it out! ZEST is another great place to find an independent midwife.