The information in this section was compiled by Kristina Bennert with clinical advice from Rona McCandlish (Midwife and Epidemiologist) and Roshni Patel (Specialist Registrar in Obstetrics & Gynaecology). 

Healthcare and services for pregnancy after caesarean

1. What will my care be like during the next pregnancy?

2. What groups can I join to meet other mothers and share experiences?

3. I would like to refresh my knowledge of labour and pain relief. Can I go to antenatal classes again?

4. What is a doula and where can I find one?

5. I want to see a doctor privately. How do I go about choosing a gynaecologist or obstetrician?

6. I want to hire an independent midwife. Where can I find one?

1. What will my care be like during the next pregnancy?

If you are pregnant again after a previous caesarean, your GP or midwife will usually recommend that you take the opportunity to have some of your antenatal care from an obstetric consultant in a hospital clinic. You will also be offered care by your team of community midwives throughout your pregnancy. Antenatal care is organised differently in different regions, but typically you will be offered one or more hospital-based appointments with the consultant to discuss your medical history and preferences for the birth. Depending on the reasons for your previous caesarean, and how you health is during your pregnancy, you might also be given additional appointments to monitor the pregnancy. 

2. What groups can I join to meet other mothers and share experiences?

There are several websites and online discussion groups that offer information and support to women who have had a previous caesarean and a chance to make contact to others with similar experiences. Some sites openly advocate a particular method of birth, others provide more balanced information about both vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) and planned repeat caesarean (PRCS). See the 'Resources' section for a selection of organisations and support groups.

3. I would like to refresh my knowledge of labour and pain relief. Can I go to antenatal classes again?

Many women who have had a caesarean as their first birth without going through labour feel that they have forgotten most of what they learned during antenatal classes previously because they did not have a chance to put it into practice. Inform your midwife of your wish to attend NHS antenatal classes early on in your pregnancy. In many trusts first time mothers are given priority in the allocation of places you may be able to get on a course. However, your midwife might be able to put you in touch with other mothers to share experiences on an informal basis. There is also the option of attending antenatal classes run by the National Childbirth Trust, though these carry a fee (see www.nct.org.uk/local/classes).

4. What is a doula and where can I find one?

The answer to the question can be found by following the link to Doula UK website  - www.doula.org.uk/default.asp

5. I want to see a doctor privately. How do I go about choosing a gynaecologist or obstetrician?

The answer to the question can be found by following the link to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists www.rcog.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=633

6. I want to hire an independent midwife. Where can I find one?

Independent midwives are fully qualified, registered midwives who work on a one-to-one basis giving private midwifery care in the UK. Many independent midwives specialise in homebirth and have special expertise in areas such as twin or breech pregnancy. The average cost of hiring an independent midwife is around £3,000 though costs vary across regions. 

For further information, visit the following links:

www.homebirth.org.uk/indmid.htm#what

Website of the Independent Midwives' Association: www.independentmidwives.org.uk/?node=750

To find an independent midwife in your local area, go to: www.independentmidwives.org.uk/?node=722

Last reviewed November 2010.