We understand women’s health needs change throughout life, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. From menstrual health to menopause and beyond, our team is committed to providing safe, compassionate, and up-to-date care.
This link also provides more information on all you need to know about trying for a baby, pregnancy, labour and birth Pregnancy – NHS
Antenatal and Midwifery Care
Your team of Midwives and Midwifery Support Workers (MSW) are:
- Tracey-Morse – Midwife
- Amy Tooms – Midwife
- Siobhan Sayers – Midwife
- Maria Beasley-Suffolk – Midwife
- Gaynor Milkins – Midwifery Support Worker (MSW)
- The Stockwood Health Centre GPs share maternity care with the midwifery team
The midwives and MSWs are all based at South Bristol Community Hospital so if you need to speak to them please contact them on 0117 3429841. They have an answering machine so please feel free to leave your name and a message and for non-urgent calls they will reply within 48 hours. Of course if your call is more urgent they will respond the same day or you can contact your GP for advice.
They run antenatal clinics on a Wednesday morning however they are flexible and will make appointments to suit you should this time be inconvenient.
They also offer ‘Preparation for Parenthood’ classes which are currently held in Burnbush Children’s centre. They discuss all aspects of labour, how your birth partner can support you; when to recognise labour and when to go to hospital; pain relief and what is available to you; the postnatal period and bringing your baby home. They hope to answer any questions you may have so you feel more prepared for your birth experience.
They like to see you for your first appointment before you are 10 weeks pregnant so please contact them when you find out you are pregnant and they can plan ahead and arrange your ‘booking appointment’ and your dating scan appointment.
How to book your first appointment
To make your first appointment with a midwife please complete the online booking form, or call the Antenatal Booking Team on 0117 342 0850.
Explore the midwifery led unit and wards with the virtual tour on St Michael’s website
As a general rule they will see you at:
| 8-10 weeks | Booking appointment |
| 12 weeks | Ultra sound scan to date your pregnancy at your hospital of choice |
| 15-17 weeks | Midwife appointment |
| 20 weeks | Ultra sound scan at the hospital of your choice |
| 25 weeks | Midwife appointment (if this is your first baby) |
| 28 weeks | Midwife appointment |
| 31 weeks | Midwife appointment (if this is your first baby) |
| 34 weeks | Midwife appointment |
| 36 weeks | Midwife appointment |
| 38 weeks | Midwife appointment |
| 40 weeks | Midwife appointment |
| 41 weeks | Midwife appointment |
| 41 weeks +3 days | Appointment with your hospital of choice to discuss induction of labour |
The booking appointment can last for up to an hour and a half, in this time we gather information about your health, the health of your partner and close family members. At this appointment we will also require you to bring along a urine sample and carry out routine blood tests, blood pressure check and measure height and weight.
It is a good idea to write down any questions you may want to ask before coming to meet us.
Antenatal Classes
You are invited to attend the antenatal sessions where the midwife team will discuss:
– How to recognise labour and what to expect;
– Pain relief for labour and how to help yourself;
– Your partner’s role to support you in labour;
– The postnatal period and what to expect;
– Feeding your new baby;
– And anything else you would like to know.
Self Referral – Women’s Health Physiotherapy
There are also Physiotherapy antenatal classes held throughout the Community and your Midwife can give you details of these.
It is possible to self refer to the pelvic health physiotherapist who will see women from 12 weeks gestation to 6 months post delivery. They are able to give advice on pelvic floor symptoms, including incontinence and pain.
Tiredness and Sickness
Tiredness and sickness are common in early pregnancy, try to eat little and often and drink plenty of water.
- If you feel tired, listen to your body and rest when necessary.
- Nausea and sickness usually subside after the first 12 – 16 weeks.
- It is important to take folic acid as soon as you find out that you are pregnant, this helps with healthy development and growth.
To access further information on eating, drinking and keeping well in pregnancy go to NHS at www.nhs.uk.
When you have delivered your baby and come home they will visit you to offer you and your family guidance, support and advice about caring for yourself and your new baby; feeding your baby; how you feel about your birth experience and how you feel in general.
If you require further information on pregnancy and childbirth please visit NCT.
Menopause Services & Support
Prior to your appointment we ask that you complete a Menopause questionnaire. This can help us better understand the extent of your symptoms and can be helpful for monitoring if treatment is working.
Please print and complete the questionnaire, and bring this to your appointment.
You may wish to read more about menopause and HRT before your visit. Reading about the different types of HRT can help us find the best one for you. Below are a variety of sources of information
General Information
Women’s Health Concern – Confidential advice, reassurance and education. Helpful resources and a range of detailed factsheets. The factsheets can be downloaded in PDF format or printed directly from the website
Well Aware – Menopause information
The Menopause Charity – Menopause information
Menopause Matters – Website; podcast; media; blogs; peer support forum. Independent website providing information about the menopause, menopausal symptoms and treatment options.
Rock My Menopause – Menopause information
Menopause Fact Sheet – Self Care information
Menopause Easy Read Guides – Learning Disability Wales created information
Perimenopause and HRT Leaflets – University of Bristol created information, available in English, Arabic, Punjabi, Somali and Urdu
Understanding Menopause – Menopause support booklet
Understanding Menopause for Partners – Menopause support booklet for partners
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms – Women’s Health factsheet
Silvercloud – Self-referral for computerised CBT-i service
Sleep Hygiene Advice – The Sleep Charity created advice
Menopause and Insomnia – Women’s Health Concern factsheet
Nutrition in Menopause – Women’s Health Concern factsheet
Complementary and Alternative Therapies – Women’s Health Concern factsheet
Emotional Wellness in Menopause – Women’s Health Concern factsheet
Symptom Tracker – Balance App
HRT PPC – NHS Hormone Replacement Therapy Prescription Pre-payment Certificate (HRT PPC) NHSBSA
Alcohol and menopause information
Living Well Through the Menopause – A CBT book by Myra Hunter
Genito-urinary Syndrome of Menopause
Vulval Care – Patient information leaflet
Yes natural vulval moisturisers and lubricants – Website for purchases
Self-referral for pelvic health physio at St Michael’s – Self referral information and form
Patient Support Groups
Black Women in Menopause – Black Health and Beyond
Queer Menopause – LGBTQIA+ experiences of menopause
Daisy Network – Charity for Women with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
M Power – Monthly group to discuss all things menopause at Greenway Centre, Bristol
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