St. Michael's Midwife Led Clinic Dun Laoghaire

dthakkar

I have completed 12 weeks of pregnancy. Yesterday, I had my first antenatal appointment in the National Maternity Hospital Holles Streets, Dublin. The doctor suggested me to go with the Midwife Led clinic for my further appointment as she told me that I have a low-risk pregnancy.


This is my first pregnancy, so a bit worried and anxious. If anyone suggests or shares an experience with St. Michael's Midwife Led Clinic Dun Laoghaire will help me a lot.

If we select the national maternity hospital, then all maternity care will be provided by the doc/obgyn/gynec including delivery?

And if we select Midwife Led Clinic then all maternity care will be provided by the Midwife including delivery?

Thanks in advance.

catrionanic

I've no experience of this particular clinic, however I did midwifery led care (domino scheme) with NMH on my last baby and the care was second to none. Particularly post-natally, which you don't realise the importance of when you're expecting for the first time. The baby is born in the hospital under the care of midwives, but there are doctors on the ward who will be called if needed. Which is the same set-up as if you're a low-risk woman attending the hospital outpatients clinic (as I was on my first).

Having done the standard public route and the midwifery-led route, I would choose midwifery led every time.

karlitob

dthakkar wrote: »

I have completed 12 weeks of pregnancy. Yesterday, I had my first antenatal appointment in the National Maternity Hospital Holles Streets, Dublin. The doctor suggested me to go with the Midwife Led clinic for my further appointment as she told me that I have a low-risk pregnancy.


This is my first pregnancy, so a bit worried and anxious. If anyone suggests or shares an experience with St. Michael's Midwife Led Clinic Dun Laoghaire will help me a lot.

If we select the national maternity hospital, then all maternity care will be provided by the doc/obgyn/gynec including delivery?

And if we select Midwife Led Clinic then all maternity care will be provided by the Midwife including delivery?

Thanks in advance.

Congrats on your news.
I would suggest that you write down all your questions as you think of them and bring them with you to your next appointment.
Mid-wives are highly trained professionals. And the mid-wife led clinic is provided by CMS - specialist mid-wives. They don’t send any old fool out there.
Don’t see the care as being provided by St. Michael’s; it’s a NMH clinic which just so happens to be in St. Michael’s. That midwife reports into her Director of Midwifery in Holles St., not the DoN in St. Michael’s. The Obs/Gynae (which are the same profession) from NMH have been providing gynae clinics in St. Michael’s for years.
Remember, youre pregnant, you’re not sick. Easy for me to say but people get overly worried about seeing the doctor. It’s not needed. The midwives job is to check the basics, and if anything changes they’ll send you back for a visit with the consultant. Note: there’s no wait times for women who are pregnant obviously.
Finally, your baby won’t be delivered in st. Michael’s. It does not provide that service. Your baby will be delivered in Holles St. Unless you go in for those mad stupid things of having your baby at home with an ‘independent midwife’.
They really should have a patient information leaflet about this.
Anyway - best of luck. Worrying is normal. Whatever happens there’s f-all you can do about anything anyway so keep as well as you can. Eat well, sleep well, keep the head clear and if you can, enjoy the experience. It only lasts a short time.

catrionanic

karlitob wrote: »

Congrats on your news.
I would suggest that you write down all your questions as you think of them and bring them with you to your next appointment.
Mid-wives are highly trained professionals. And the mid-wife led clinic is provided by CMS - specialist mid-wives. They don’t send any old fool out there.
Don’t see the care as being provided by St. Michael’s; it’s a NMH clinic which just so happens to be in St. Michael’s. That midwife reports into her Director of Midwifery in Holles St., not the DoN in St. Michael’s. The Obs/Gynae (which are the same profession) from NMH have been providing gynae clinics in St. Michael’s for years.
Remember, youre pregnant, you’re not sick. Easy for me to say but people get overly worried about seeing the doctor. It’s not needed. The midwives job is to check the basics, and if anything changes they’ll send you back for a visit with the consultant. Note: there’s no wait times for women who are pregnant obviously.
Finally, your baby won’t be delivered in st. Michael’s. It does not provide that service. Your baby will be delivered in Holles St. Unless you go in for those mad stupid things of having your baby at home with an ‘independent midwife’.
They really should have a patient information leaflet about this.
Anyway - best of luck. Worrying is normal. Whatever happens there’s f-all you can do about anything anyway so keep as well as you can. Eat well, sleep well, keep the head clear and if you can, enjoy the experience. It only lasts a short time.

Research shows that, for low-risk women on their second and subsequent pregnancies, the outcome for the babies who are born at home is the same as the outcome for babies born in hospital. However the overall outcome for the mothers who birthed at home is much better than in a hospital birth. It is also the default birthing preference in many developed European countries.

"Mad stupid thing" it is not.

dthakkar

catrionanic wrote: »

I've no experience of this particular clinic, however I did midwifery led care (domino scheme) with NMH on my last baby and the care was second to none. Particularly post-natally, which you don't realise the importance of when you're expecting for the first time. The baby is born in the hospital under the care of midwives, but there are doctors on the ward who will be called if needed. Which is the same set-up as if you're a low-risk woman attending the hospital outpatients clinic (as I was on my first).

Having done the standard public route and the midwifery-led route, I would choose midwifery led every time.

Thank you so much for your reply, this definitely boosts my confidence. ☺️😊

dthakkar

karlitob wrote: »

Finally, your baby won’t be delivered in st. Michael’s. It does not provide that service. Your baby will be delivered in Holles St. Unless you go in for those mad stupid things of having your baby at home with an ‘independent midwife’.
They really should have a patient information leaflet about this.

Thank you for your detailed response. I just had a follow up point wanted to mention. We were given a leaflet from Holles St. which clearly says the delivery will also happen at St. Michael and we will be staying in the hospital (midwifery clinic) for 12-36 hours only. So either there is a change in the process or I am missing something, or probably they would shift to NMH at the end moment on case to case basis.

And after delivery, midwife will visit our home for postnatally care which I guess is the same case if birth is given at Holles St. also?

dthakkar

catrionanic wrote: »

Research shows that, for low-risk women on their second and subsequent pregnancies, the outcome for the babies who are born at home is the same as the outcome for babies born in hospital. However the overall outcome for the mothers who birthed at home is much better than in a hospital birth. It is also the default birthing preference in many developed European countries.

"Mad stupid thing" it is not.

Hey I am delighted to know this. Will keep in mind if we choose to have a second baby. I had only read about Home birth on paper, never met anyone in person so I was always thinking this option is not being chosen by anyone now a days. Big thumbs up 🙂

ted1

My wife did it, absolutely recommends it everyone. She went private before and rates the mid wife led option as way better. Even the after care where they come y to o you instead of being stuck in the hospital is much better

Attending appointments is so much more straight forward too

lazygal

The only issue with the midwife led system is you will be sent back into the public hospital system if you have any complications at all. Something to bear in mind because I know a couple of people who weren't very happy to have this change imposed on them at a relatively late stage of pregnancy. One wanted to go private but couldn't get a slot with any consultant.

dthakkar

ted1 wrote: »

My wife did it, absolutely recommends it everyone. She went private before and rates the mid wife led option as way better. Even the after care where they come y to o you instead of being stuck in the hospital is much better

Attending appointments is so much more straight forward too

Thanks a lot for your response, it is great help. I appreciate it. And many have the positive experience so thinking to go with Mid wife clinic. Thank a lot again.ðŸ‘😊

dthakkar

lazygal wrote: »

The only issue with the midwife led system is you will be sent back into the public hospital system if you have any complications at all. Something to bear in mind because I know a couple of people who weren't very happy to have this change imposed on them at a relatively late stage of pregnancy. One wanted to go private but couldn't get a slot with any consultant.

Thanks for your reply. I will keep this in mind and this is understandable that if anyone having complications then they will be shifted to NMH. And one should never mind with this decision , it is all because of our safety. Many thanks for explaining this point too. 😊ðŸ‘

volchitsa

catrionanic wrote: »

Research shows that, for low-risk women on their second and subsequent pregnancies, the outcome for the babies who are born at home is the same as the outcome for babies born in hospital. However the overall outcome for the mothers who birthed at home is much better than in a hospital birth. It is also the default birthing preference in many developed European countries.

"Mad stupid thing" it is not.

Yep, absolutely agree with this. My babies are nearly old enough to start having their own babies soon, but for having experienced a large, rather impersonal maternity hospital for my first and then smaller, midwife led births for the others, I can say that the hospital birth is surely excellent if you have a real problem, but for the vast majority of normal births, a more intimate experience is wonderful.

A home birth would, IMO, be best of all when possible (I wasn't lucky enough to have one, but I have friends who did and it just seemed so lovely, low key and personal, as opposed to the rather conveyor belt atmosphere of large maternities).

I also agree that the aftercare issue is something that is not sufficiently made clear beforehand - in the hospital it's almost as though once you give birth, it's all done, when in fact it's only the beginning - and having a more "personal" relationship with a midwife is invaluable.

buffin

I had my first baby in Holles St using their normal public midwife led clinics. This time I've opted for the domino scheme and it was meant to be in St Michaels which is a 10 mins walk from my house so suited me perfectly. Haven't had my first appointment yet, but just got a call as the clinic location is moving to the Frascati Centre in Blackrock. Thought it would be good to share in case location is a major factor for you. Think it's to do with the number of hours they can provide a service for. Hoping it'll be good, but no idea yet since I'm due my first appointment in a couple of weeks!

shesty

Seems odd they would state that birth is in St Michael's.Maybe question that to clarify it?

dthakkar

buffin wrote: »

I had my first baby in Holles St using their normal public midwife led clinics. This time I've opted for the domino scheme and it was meant to be in St Michaels which is a 10 mins walk from my house so suited me perfectly. Haven't had my first appointment yet, but just got a call as the clinic location is moving to the Frascati Centre in Blackrock. Thought it would be good to share in case location is a major factor for you. Think it's to do with the number of hours they can provide a service for. Hoping it'll be good, but no idea yet since I'm due my first appointment in a couple of weeks!

Thanks a lot for sharing the location update. BlackRock is still fine for us. My 20 week scan is booked in Holles Street which is around end of the May. But my 28th week appointment is in Midwife led clinic. So it would be great if you share your experience after your first appointment. Once again thanks a lot 🙂

buffin

dthakkar wrote: »

Thanks a lot for sharing the location update. BlackRock is still fine for us. My 20 week scan is booked in Holles Street which is around end of the May. But my 28th week appointment is in Midwife led clinic. So it would be great if you share your experience after your first appointment. Once again thanks a lot ��

Will do! It's in a couple of weeks so I will let you know then.

dthakkar

buffin wrote: »

Will do! It's in a couple of weeks so I will let you know then.

Thanks a lot.

DonnaDarko09

Hello and congrats!
I was low risk for my first baby and went on the Domino Scheme after my GP suggested it. Some of my appointments were in St Michaels. Thankfully I had a text book pregnancy. I found the Midwifes to be great and appointments were quick, with little waiting around. The only thing i would say is that they promote a more natural birth with no epidural if possible. I ended up getting an epidural and my only regret is I didn’t get it sooner.
For my second baby, I was again on the Domino scheme but unfortunately became high risk half way through and switched to private consultant led.
But I’d recommend the Domino scheme if you’re a good candidate, ie low risk. Just explore your birthing options and don’t be afraid to speak up once in labour.

rosie087

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and am on the Domino scheme with Holles St. My appointments have been split between St Michael's and Leopardstown/Ballyogan and I have only good things to say.

I'd double check about giving birth in St Michael's - I'd be surprised if this was correct, your birth would mostly likely be in Holles St unless you yourself decide you want to proceed with a home birth.

The midwives are highly skilled, the wait times are much shorter than they are if you ever need to attend Holles St for anything and if there are any concerns or complications you will be referred to Holles St under the care of a doctor or consultant just like anyone else.

I'd suggest you read up on the ethos of the Domino scheme but I wouldn't have any concerns about the standards of care.

dthakkar

DonnaDarko09 wrote: »

Hello and congrats!
I was low risk for my first baby and went on the Domino Scheme after my GP suggested it. Some of my appointments were in St Michaels. Thankfully I had a text book pregnancy. I found the Midwifes to be great and appointments were quick, with little waiting around. The only thing i would say is that they promote a more natural birth with no epidural if possible. I ended up getting an epidural and my only regret is I didn’t get it sooner.
For my second baby, I was again on the Domino scheme but unfortunately became high risk half way through and switched to private consultant led.
But I’d recommend the Domino scheme if you’re a good candidate, ie low risk. Just explore your birthing options and don’t be afraid to speak up once in labour.

Many thanks for sharing this details. I really appreciate. It helps me a lot. We are definitely going with Domino Scheme. Many thanks 🙂😊

dthakkar

rosie087 wrote: »

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and am on the Domino scheme with Holles St. My appointments have been split between St Michael's and Leopardstown/Ballyogan and I have only good things to say.

I'd double check about giving birth in St Michael's - I'd be surprised if this was correct, your birth would mostly likely be in Holles St unless you yourself decide you want to proceed with a home birth.

The midwives are highly skilled, the wait times are much shorter than they are if you ever need to attend Holles St for anything and if there are any concerns or complications you will be referred to Holles St under the care of a doctor or consultant just like anyone else.

I'd suggest you read up on the ethos of the Domino scheme but I wouldn't have any concerns about the standards of care.

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience. We are going to apply for Domino Scheme. And I have just talked via phone regarding this scheme so they confirmed that for delivery we need to go to the hospital.

And could you please give me some details that how come your appointments split between St Michael's and Leopardstown/Ballyogan?

Thanks a lot.

rosie087

dthakkar wrote: »

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience. We are going to apply for Domino Scheme. And I have just talked via phone regarding this scheme so they confirmed that for delivery we need to go to the hospital.

And could you please give me some details that how come your appointments split between St Michael's and Leopardstown/Ballyogan?

Thanks a lot.

Leopardstown was my preference (just in terms of location) but for a couple of appointments the clinics there were full, and they asked me would it suit to go to somewhere else instead.

dthakkar

rosie087 wrote: »

Leopardstown was my preference (just in terms of location) but for a couple of appointments the clinics there were full, and they asked me would it suit to go to somewhere else instead.

Oh ok. Thanks ðŸ‘

Laugh_a_minute

dthakkar wrote: »

I have completed 12 weeks of pregnancy. Yesterday, I had my first antenatal appointment in the National Maternity Hospital Holles Streets, Dublin. The doctor suggested me to go with the Midwife Led clinic for my further appointment as she told me that I have a low-risk pregnancy.


This is my first pregnancy, so a bit worried and anxious. If anyone suggests or shares an experience with St. Michael's Midwife Led Clinic Dun Laoghaire will help me a lot.

If we select the national maternity hospital, then all maternity care will be provided by the doc/obgyn/gynec including delivery?

And if we select Midwife Led Clinic then all maternity care will be provided by the Midwife including delivery?

Thanks in advance.

Hope it's OK to ask a follow up question here. I'm registered with Holles St and my first appointment is in Bray Health Centre. Is there a difference between Midwife Led Care and the Domino scheme? I can't seem to differentiate between them? Would appreciate any advice!

dthakkar

Hi

After discussing this to midwife and reading some documents online, I understood that Domino scheme comes under Midwife Led Care. The midwife Led Care provides 3 different services which are:

1. Domino Scheme
2. Homebirth
3. Community based antenatal clinics/ satellite Clinics

1. Domino Scheme:

In brief the Domino services offers a Midwifery led package of care to low-risk women within a defined catchment area. This package of care offers antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care. This package of care is suited to women with no relevant medical history and have experienced no significant pregnancy complications.

2. Homebirth

You can choose this option if you want your delivery happens at your home instead of hospital. This option is suitable for women with no relevant medical history and other complications.

3. Community based antenatal clinics/ satellite Clinics

These clinics are delivered by a team of Midwives providing Midwifery led care for women locally in their community and are not suitable for the DOMINO service. There is a Midwifery team who also run antenatal clinics in the community along side a consultant. If you select this scheme then you will allow to stay in hospital for one night only if there is no further complications.

buffin

Just a quick update - I had my booking appointment at the Dun Laoghaire (now Blackrock) clinic during the week. Compared with my experience going public in Holles St, this was just wonderful. While Holles St was still great, it always felt really impersonal and like you were just one of many, and the clinics literally took hours of waiting around.

At this appointment the midwife called me in right on time. I was with her for about 45 mins going through my medical history / previous pregnancy etc and then she talked me through the Domino scheme and what was involved. There are 14 midwives in the area and always one on call so you can get in touch with them any time you want. They will visit during labour, and if you've signed up in advance can offer a home birth (which I'm considering!) and then again once you're home from hospital. They are very woman and baby centred, so encourage things like breastfeeding, low interventions unless necessary and no epidural, but they definitely didn't make a big deal of any of that and said you can always get the epidural still, just like any patient could.

They don't have ultrasound facilities, but check the heartbeat on the doppler every visit. If I was super nervous that might not suit me, but I actually think they can tell as much from that, so doesn't bother me a bit. All in all, I think it's great and definitely recommend based on my experience so far.

catrionanic

buffin wrote: »

Just a quick update - I had my booking appointment at the Dun Laoghaire (now Blackrock) clinic during the week. Compared with my experience going public in Holles St, this was just wonderful. While Holles St was still great, it always felt really impersonal and like you were just one of many, and the clinics literally took hours of waiting around.

At this appointment the midwife called me in right on time. I was with her for about 45 mins going through my medical history / previous pregnancy etc and then she talked me through the Domino scheme and what was involved. There are 14 midwives in the area and always one on call so you can get in touch with them any time you want. They will visit during labour, and if you've signed up in advance can offer a home birth (which I'm considering!) and then again once you're home from hospital. They are very woman and baby centred, so encourage things like breastfeeding, low interventions unless necessary and no epidural, but they definitely didn't make a big deal of any of that and said you can always get the epidural still, just like any patient could.

They don't have ultrasound facilities, but check the heartbeat on the doppler every visit. If I was super nervous that might not suit me, but I actually think they can tell as much from that, so doesn't bother me a bit. All in all, I think it's great and definitely recommend based on my experience so far.

I had my second baby with the NMH domino scheme (brilliant experience) and am having a home birth for my third with a HSE self employed community midwife. 21 weeks and fantastic experience so far..feel free to PM me if you want to chat!

Laugh_a_minute

Lovely to hear these updates, thank you. I've registered with Domino and have my booking appointment in May, at about 14 weeks. The midwife I spoke to on the phone couldn't have been more helpful which I thought was a great start!

dthakkar

buffin wrote: »

Just a quick update - I had my booking appointment at the Dun Laoghaire (now Blackrock) clinic during the week. Compared with my experience going public in Holles St, this was just wonderful. While Holles St was still great, it always felt really impersonal and like you were just one of many, and the clinics literally took hours of waiting around.

At this appointment the midwife called me in right on time. I was with her for about 45 mins going through my medical history / previous pregnancy etc and then she talked me through the Domino scheme and what was involved. There are 14 midwives in the area and always one on call so you can get in touch with them any time you want. They will visit during labour, and if you've signed up in advance can offer a home birth (which I'm considering!) and then again once you're home from hospital. They are very woman and baby centred, so encourage things like breastfeeding, low interventions unless necessary and no epidural, but they definitely didn't make a big deal of any of that and said you can always get the epidural still, just like any patient could.

They don't have ultrasound facilities, but check the heartbeat on the doppler every visit. If I was super nervous that might not suit me, but I actually think they can tell as much from that, so doesn't bother me a bit. All in all, I think it's great and definitely recommend based on my experience so far.

Thanks a lot 😊