Should I Call The Midwife? Use a Pregnancy Smart Checker | Antenatal & Maternity

Pregnancy brings many questions. • Is this normal? • Should I call my midwife or doctor? • Do I need to go to the hospital? Throughout your pregnancy, it can be difficult to know whether a symptom is expected or requires urgent medical attention. A Pregnancy Smart Checker can help you decide when to call the midwife, contact your GP, or attend a maternity service for assessment. Understanding when to seek support during antenatal care is an important part of staying healthy throughout your pregnancy. On the Parenting Hub , parents can also access trusted guidance, pregnancy tools, and expert advice to support pregnancy and birth from early pregnancy through to the postnatal period. When Should You Call the Midwife? Midwives support pregnant women throughout pregnancy, labour, and birth. However, knowing when to contact your midwife or healthcare provider can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time pregnant women. You should contact your midwife, obstetrician, or midwifery unit if you experience: • Heavy vaginal bleeding • Waters breaking before labour • Regular contraction patterns suggesting labour • Severe abdominal pain • Reduced baby movements • Fever or signs of infection • Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet • Persistent headache with visual changes These symptoms may indicate pregnancy complications that require assessment by a health professional. If you are unsure whether something is normal during pregnancy, it is always appropriate to call the hospital or speak to your services team. Midwife or Doctor: Who Should You Contact? Many pregnant women wonder whether they should contact their midwife or doctor first. This depends on your model of care . Common pregnancy care models include: • Public hospital maternity units • Private obstetrician care • Midwifery continuity models • Shared care with a GP • Private health care If you see the same midwife throughout your pregnancy under a midwifery care model, contacting your midwifery team is often appropriate. If you are under a private obstetrician, your obstetrician or the maternity ward may be your first point of contact for pregnancy concerns. Your first antenatal appointment usually explains who to contact during pregnancy, labour and birth. Common Pregnancy Symptoms That Are Usually Normal Not every pregnancy symptom requires urgent hospital care. Many symptoms are common throughout p…