Specialist appointments

The Birth After Caesarean (BAC) Clinic is a specialist clinic for anyone who would like more information and support when planning their birth when they have had a previous caesarean birth. The aim of this clinic is to help you make an informed choice about the options available to you when planning the birth of your baby this time.

What if I have had more than one caesarean section?

If you are considering a vaginal birth but have had more than one caesarean birth before, you should have a detailed discussion with a senior obstetrician and/or consultant midwife about the potential risks, benefits and success rate in your individual situation.

At your first appointment with your midwife, it may be necessary for the midwife to refer you to the hospital for additional care, which in many cases involves having an appointment with a Consultant Obstetrician. An obstetrician is a doctor who specialises in pregnancy and birth. There are many reasons why this might be necessary, and these will be discussed with you. Even if you are under a consultant obstetrician for your care, you will continue to see your midwife. It is also possible that you are referred to a consultant obstetrician later in the pregnancy due to the development of a new concern during pregnancy.

Common reasons for referral to the consultant obstetrician include:

• Existing physical or mental health problems
• High body mass index (BMI)
• Diabetes or Endocrine problems
• Previous caesarean section
• Previous pregnancy complication such as pre-eclampsia
• A low-lying placenta being identified on your mid-pregnancy scan

Consultant led clinics are held Monday to Friday in Area K (Door 3) – Antenatal clinic. For some patients, these appointments will be conducted by telephone which will reduce the need for you to attend the hospital. Your appointment notification should make it clear whether or not you need to attend the hospital or whether your appointment is by phone.

For further information about the Obstetricians please click here. If you have any concerns regarding your appointment please contact Antenatal Admin team on 01604 523529. Opening hours are: Monday - Friday 08:30 - 16:00

The Fetal medicine team provides any extra care required for babies in the womb, such as for smaller babies or babies with other complications. If a routine scan shows something unexpected, a referral will be made to our Fetal Medicine Clinic and occasionally to a tertiary centre. Only 5 in 100 babies will need a specialist Fetal Medicine scan.

Meet the team

• Mr Clive Aldrich
• Mr Clemens Von Widekind
• Ms Suchita Lal

As we are a teaching hospital there may be specialists in training, medical students, sonographers or student midwives working with us and observing the scan. These clinics are currently held in our Maternity Day Unit, please click here for more information

NGH Maternity service offers Preterm Birth Surveillance / Prevention Clinic appointment to all women at risk of going into Labour before 34 weeks gestation. Appointment at clinic is by referral only.

Clinic runs twice weekly on Maternity Day Unit:
Tuesdays (12.30-15.00hrs Midwifery Led Telephone Consultation)
Wednesdays (12.30-15:30hrs Consultant Led face-face)

Lead midwife for Clinic - Ola Oluwatayo
Lead Consultant for Clinic- Mrs Sambita Basak

Cases seen at the clinic include women with

• History of Previous preterm Birth or mid trimester loss(16-34 weeks gestation)
• Previous preterm rupture of membrane less than 34 weeks gestation
• Previous use of cervical cerclage
• Known uterine variant (Unicornuate, Bicornuate uterus or uterine septum)
• Intrauterine adhesions (Asherman's syndrome)
• History of Trachelectomy for cervical cancer
• Previous delivery by C/S at full dilatation
• History of significant cervical excision (LLETZ, LEEP)
• Multiple pregnancy with other risk factors

The clinic aim to assess and make plans for women within this category from 16-18 weeks gestation. The care plan at clinic includes-Vaginal swab, checking urine for infection, CO testing and may require cervical length measurement and medical management with Progesterone pessary.