Choosing your lead maternity carer
Choosing your LMC
Your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) is the primary healthcare provider for you and your baby throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. It can be a daunting choice, so we’re sharing some of the key things to consider for expecting parnets.
Your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) is the primary healthcare provider for you and your baby throughout pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Choosing your LMC is one of the first and most important decisions for expecting parents.
In Aotearoa New Zealand you can choose a private obstetrician or public midwife as your LMC. Your choice can be affected by your personal circumstances and preferences, our at-capacity public maternity care system, or what other families in your community have done.
In this blog we will talk about some of the things to think about when choosing your LMC, the benefits of being under the care of a private obstetrician, and the difference between obstetricians and gynaecologists.
Let’s start by diving a little bit deeper into some of the factors you should consider when making this decision.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR LMC:
Philosophy of care: It is important to choose an LMC team whose philosophy of care aligns with yours. What sort of approach would you prefer when it comes to your pregnancy and birth? What level of individualised support are you looking for? Make sure to discuss these preferences with potential LMCs to ensure a good fit.
Availability: You want to make sure your LMC team is available when you need them. Ask about the availability for appointments, births, and postpartum care. LMCs are often looking after a number of pregnant women at the same time, and operate in teams to make sure everyone is covered safely. Getting to know how the team works means that you will be familiar with who will be present at your baby’s birth.
Location: Consider the location of your LMC's practice or clinic. You'll want to choose someone who is convenient to get to for appointments, who can easily get to your chosen birth location, and who knows this location well. It can help to have an LMC who has easy access to ultrasound scanning and blood testing facilities, as there are a range of scans and tests to undertake during pregnancy.
Communication: Choose an LMC team who communicates well with you and who takes the time to listen to your concerns – practitioners who you can build a connection with. You want to feel comfortable asking questions about your birth and prenatal care, and sharing your thoughts with your LMC. It is an exciting yet vulnerable time for you so this positive relationship is key.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MIDWIVES AND OBSTETRICIANS?
As mentioned before the decision is usually midwife vs obstetrician for your LMC in Aotearoa New Zealand. While midwives are a common choice there are a range of reasons and personal preferences that mean a private obstetrician may be the best option for you:
Medical expertise: As obstetricians we are medical doctors who can provide a higher level of medical care during pregnancy and childbirth. This is particularly helpful when managing complicated pregnancies and deliveries, including those involving emergencies, high-risk situations or additional medical conditions, and alleviating anxiety or stress during pregnancy.
Our skills range from facilitating water-births to performing high risk caesarean sections (C-sections) and you do not need to be high risk to be under an obstetrician’s care.
As obstetricians we can provide you with more information and guidance about all aspects of your pregnancy, including any potential risks and how to manage them.. You can find out about our team’s individual experience across pregnancy, gynaecology, paediatrics and more here.
Continuity of care: Private obstetricians provide excellent continuity of care, meaning they will be the same group of specialist doctors who oversee your pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. If you’re working with a dedicated private team, they’ll be with you for the full journey, as they have the medical knowledge to deal with whatever comes up. This can provide a sense of reassurance and comfort during an uncertain time.
Access to technology: Obstetricians have easy access to advanced medical technology, such as ultrasounds, non-invasive prenatal screening, carrier screening and fetal monitoring, which can be used for screening, diagnostic testing and to detect potential issues during pregnancy and childbirth.
Personalised care: Private obstetricians have carefully managed client loads which allows us to provide more personalised care. We can also be more available for questions and appointments and work hard to provide dedicated one-on-one attention during appointments. We are on call for our clients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for their whole pregnancy.
You can find out about our plan for your pregnancy care under our full obstetric care section.
Insurance coverage: Although private obstetrician fees are not covered by the public healthcare system, in some cases the cost is covered or partly covered by private health insurance, such as Southern Cross (obstetrics allowance). This can be a cost-effective option for those who have insurance coverage.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY?
Obstetricians and gynaecologists (OB/GYNs) are often grouped together, but there is a difference between the two. Gynaecologists specialise in the female reproductive system, including diagnosing and treating conditions related to the uterus, ovaries, cervix, and vagina. Obstetricians focus on pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Many Obstetricians are also gynaecologists and vice versa.
Ultimately, the decision between a midwife or obstetrician for your LMC is a personal one. It's important to consider your own circumstances, as well as the availability, expertise, and level of support and individualisation you would prefer.
At Wellington Obstetrics, we have the benefit of both a highly specialised and skilled private obstetrics team, and a dedicated, experienced team of midwives who work only with our patients. Together we create a bespoke care plan that is flexible and tailored to your individual needs.