Is a consultant midwife the same as a consultant?

[WindYourBobbinUp]

Just that really. I was told I'd be consultant led due to previous premature birth, emcs and placenta praevia. My letter says consultant midwife - is this the same?

No it will be a senior midwife. The consultants title would be consultant obstetrician.

No. A consultant obstetrician is a medical doctor, trained at medical school. A consultant midwife is a senior midwife, trained at nursing school. (The degree/ diploma is in midwifery, which is a branch of nursing). Not sure if there is an extra certification to be a consultant midwife above a regular midwife, but it is not the same as a consultant obstetrician.

No but yes! Consultant led normally implies a medical consultant but a consultant midwife will be a highly specialist midwife with stacks of experience and likely additional training so they will be equally knowledgeable but not a doctor. It might be in your area you see the consultant midwife instead of the medic but it is a question to ask when you see them as I expect there'll be some things they can't do, for example I'd be amazed if a midwife could perform a c section but they may well be able to make a lot of not all if the decisions in a vaginal birth

Liverpool Womens had a consultant midwife when I was expecting 2 years ago. Really nice bloke, he was the person to ask to be referred to if you wanted an elcs or a high-risk home birth.

No! It's not the same at all & most definitely not as knowledgeable as a consultant obstetrician, they have completely different skill sets. No a midwife can not perform a c-section or instrumental deliveries.

I had very high risk pregnancies & the first question I would be asking in your situation was 'when am I going to see a consultant?' You know, an actual doctor.

I imagine that a 'consultant' midwife is far cheaper for the trust to employ than an obstetrician.

Thanks all. Ok, I think I need to insist on seeing the consultant obstetrician at some point then given my history. I'm wondering if this appointment is something to do with them wanting me to have a VBAC (not keen myself)