One of the first decisions you will need to make in your pregnancy is who will be your Lead Maternity Carer (LMC). Given the high demand for LMCs, it is important you make this decision as early in your pregnancy as possible. However, it is also important when making this decision, that you are comfortable and confident in this person’s care.

Your LMC is responsible for organising your maternity care and for developing your care/ birth plans with you. They will organise any monitoring procedures and tests that are offered during pregnancy, such as ultrasound scans, polycose testing and additional blood tests. Your LMC will usually attend your labour from the point where you have arrived at a maternity facility, or when requested, for a home birth. Your LMC will deliver your baby and manage your care until 2 hours after the delivery of the placenta. In the 4-6 weeks following your birth, your midwife will visit you at home 5-10 times. This includes one home visit within 24 hours of being discharged from a maternity facility.

You will need to check whether your LMC will provide all of your care during pregnancy, labour and birth and 4 - 6 weeks after birth, or whether they will refer you to another caregiver for some part of your care. Most midwives have an alternative midwife arranged if they are unavailable at any time. Your LMC or their backup is required to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.

You are able to change to another LMC at any stage of your pregnancy and there is no charge associated with this. When making a change, make sure that you have chosen another LMC that is able to continue your care and please notify your previous LMC.

To view a description of LMC options click here