Hi to everyone.Please take a look.

[Claire_Parry]

Hi, my name is Claire and I've just set up a new service website called mymidwife.co.uk.

I'm a midwife working in the NHS and because of the lack of support I see women and their families getting I have decided to do something about it!

We offer support to women and their families during conception, pregnancy and up to 28 days after. This isn't just general information, but individualised care with direct access to a midwife.

Since we have just a few clients at present, I am running it on my own, but I do have other midwives waiting to come online when needed.

What do you think ? Can you see the benefits ? All comments very much appreciated. Look forward to catching up with you all soon.

Claire

[Coding Monkey]

Hi Claire,

Hope it proves successful for you.

[fastfences]

Hi Claire.
Welcome and good luck with your project.

I don't feel there'll be much demand for your service because most women have the ongoing support of most wonderful, caring, sharing, sympathetic, devoted husbands/partners like myself. :wink:
Cheers, Nigel

[Coding Monkey]

That's pretty generous of you, Nigel. Volunteering to help out like that.

[Admiral Collections]

I think this is a wonderful idea and good luck. Nigel is obviously one in a million, I know people who have struggled through this period alone and it has been hard work.

I wish you all the luck in the world.

Nic :wink:

[babybiz]

It sounds like a doula service you are offering and as you are a trained midwife that is even better! If it is similar then yes there is a good market for it.

Although partners are often supportive they don't understnad what you are going through. And by the time you get to the forth pregnancy everyone seems to think you don't go through anything you did with the first and it can be very hard and lonely. If I could have afforded someone like you I certainly would have paid for it and DEFINATELY with my first after she was born - talk about didn't have a clue what I was doing lol.

Good luck with your business, it'll be a lot of hard work but as someone who is your ideal target cusotmer (well would have been four kids ago!) I think it's a lovely idea.

Tashxx

[creacom]

Hi Claire

Welcome to the forums.

This seems like a really great support service. It could do really well up here in the Highlands and Islands too.

As there are still a lot of remote places up here I am sure your support could help a lot of mothers and fathers during what is already a stressing time !

Best of luck

Jacqueline

[Jayne]

Hi Claire,

Welcome to the forum.

Good luck with your new site.

Jayne :D

[Urban Space]

Very good idea! Apparently I weed all over my midwife :lol:!

Claire, is this e-mail based? Or through instant messaging? Perhaps texting would be good too. Can't remember the last time I received a text from the NHS :lol:!

Good luck with it, anything I can help you with, give me a call!

Liam

(Edited for spelling)

[fastfences]

Good luck with it, anything I can help you with, give me a call!

Liam


Huh? You're offering to help a mid-wife? After what you did to the last one?
Cheers, Nigel

[Urban Space]

Just being polite :lol:

Liam

[Cornish Steve]

Having had six children, my wife is a walking encyclopedia about pregnancy and childbirth. Friends call her all the time asking for advice. I've suggested that she start a service online to help new mothers-to-be. She refuses point-blank because of concern over liability.

How do you address this issue?

[Urban Space]

That's a good point! Something I've just thought of - How about helping during birth via webcam or something :lol:!

Liam

[magic-merl]

Would you be interested in mutual advertising on both your site and mine.

www.koo-chi-koo.co.uk

My wife is very impressed with your site and I think you would be a fantastic addition to the online community that our site will (in the long term) attract.

If you are unsure about advertising banners etc. I can do them for you at no cost under the circumstances.

Let me know your thoughts.

Regards

[Claire_Parry]

Hi, and thanks for the welcome.

Yes, this service is completely internet based. We have a guaranteed turnaround time of 24 hrs for email queries, there will be an on-line diary for clients to book an appointment so that we can chat online and also a forum.

I'll be building up the content of the site as I go so that women will find it a really useful online information service.

Its not a doula service as we cannot be there physically to support women during labour or after birth. This is a remotely based service with access to qualified midwives, giving women the opportunity to ask those questions that they might feel silly for asking, or they dont feel as though their NHS midwife has the time to answer. We are not an emergency service, but essential support to run alongside your normal NHS care.

I like the idea of texting!! Its immediate and thats important sometimes. My only concern would be that you couldn't cover all you needed to in a text. Will have to think about it.

As for liability, in the UK there is no indemnity insurance for midwives working independently. We used to be covered by our professional body The Royal College of Midwives but no more. Women are made aware of this before they decide to join us. However, since most claims of negligence are made during the time of birth, this is not an area we are involved in. We are confident in our knoeledge and expertise.

There are many great examples of experienced mums giving advice. A great site in the US is whattoexpect.com. I have 3 children myself and one on the way due May, so I am also an experienced mum, but my 6 years of being a midwife has taught me that women need the reassurance of a health professional as well as support of other women.

We are midwives who want women to feel supported and so get the most out of their pregnancies and really enjoy those unforgettable first few weeks at home with their babies. We are very passionate about the job we do.

Phew !! I've finished now. Take care all. Will catch up soon.

Claire