New to London & Pregnant - Where do I start?

[1yankinLondon]

Hi -

My husband and I relocated to SE London for work last week after 11 years abroad - he's a Brit and I'm an American. I'm 30 weeks pregnant and need to get cracking on finding a suitable midwife, OB and GP in the Greenwich-area.

I've been on the NHS websites, but I'm more confused than ever for some reason - maybe it's the stress of moving or pregnancy brain! Some friendly advice would be greatly appreciated. I'm feeling super overwhelmed at this point!

Some background: I had a blood clot about 10 years ago, so I need an OB who is comfortable with DVTs/blood thinners. I also would like a midwife who is well aware of working with this type of situation but is also quite supportive. I have already had 2 successful natural deliveries, so I don't need someone who will coddle me, but I'd love a midwife/possibly a doula who is sensitive to being a third-time Mom and all that entails. Oh, and we don't get into our permanent place in West Greenwich till Sept 30th, so we're in temporary accommodation until then. I have no idea which GP we should go to and if we can even register without proof of local address (which we won't have till we get bills in October!).

Hi there, just spotted your post had gone unanswered so i hope this isn't too late to be useful.

I'm guessing you've come from the US? British system of maternity care is quite different, but don't panic - it's good.

IN brief:

• You need to start by registering with a GP - if you are in West Greenwich try the South St Medical Centre or the Burney St practice. I'm sure they can work round proof of address. Do you have a lease agreement? That might suffice.

• The GP can then put you in touch with the community midwife team who are your first point of contact for pre-natal care.

• The local team of midwives is called Cutty Sark Midwives. They do your checkups, and compile your notes which you take to the hospital for the birth (unless you're going for a home birth, which I'm not an expert on).

• If you're going for a hospital birth, you choose which hospital in advance. Lewisham has a midwife led unit as well as traditional labour ward. I believe Queen Elizabeth now has that option too. QE has better parking. Lewisham is a bit closer. Other options are St Thomas' or Queen Mary

• Unlike the US, you don't pick an obstetrician or a midwife - you get whoever is on duty at the hospital that day. You and your birth partner should make them aware of the issues re. blood thinners but I'm sure they will be well equipped to cope with that. Likewise if you see an anaesthetist during the birth, tell them too.

• You can hire a private midwife or doula as a birth partner, if it's important to you that you have someone there who knows you already.

Good luck, and welcome to Greenwich!