Antenatal Clinic
The antenatal clinic at Macclesfield District General Hospital is a purpose-built clinic with a pleasant reception area and a spacious waiting room which also provides a separate children’s play area. We have four consulting rooms and the consultant clinics are held on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The antenatal clinic has a team of dedicated staff consisting of experienced midwives and maternity care assistants, supported by the reception and clerical staff. Contact the Antenatal clinic team on 01625 661160.
Antenatal Day Unit
Situated within the antenatal clinic is the Antenatal Day Unit, which has been developed for women who require extra care and support during their pregnancy. The wellbeing of both mothers and babies can be closely monitored on an outpatient basis with as little disruption as possible to family life.
Easily accessible, it provides a relaxed, friendly and welcoming environment offering an excellent level of continuity of care. Women are able to discuss their plan of care and have all their questions and concerns answered whilst receiving attention from a dedicated team of experienced midwives.
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Physiotherapy
Click here to view physio exercises and advice for pregnancy, labour and beyond
Ultrasound scans
The antenatal clinic has two dedicated ultrasound scan rooms where your routine antenatal ultrasound scans will be performed. Routinely two ultrasound scan examinations will be offered in your pregnancy at around 11 – 13 weeks (dating scan) and 20 weeks (detailed anomaly scan). If you require a photograph of your baby then there will be a small charge. You will also be given a specially designed mount for you to keep your scan photograph safely.
A detailed FAQs document on ultrasound scans can be found by clicking here.
Screening tests
Click here or scan the QR code below to access newborn screening information
Types of antenatal care
Most pregnant women are fit and healthy and can receive all of their care from the midwifery teams. Your midwife will discuss your care with you at the beginning of your pregnancy and an ongoing risk assessment will help identify any changes from the normal that may require additional appointments or referral to the consultant team.
Midwifery group practice
Antenatal care is undertaken by a small team of midwives working in the community and hospital. Your care maybe in either your GP’s surgery or in one of the children’s centres in your area, therefore offering you a choice of venue.
Consultant-led hospital-based care
It may be advisable, due to your medical history or problems that arise during pregnancy for your antenatal care to be provided at the hospital.
Shared care
Antenatal care that is shared between your midwife and consultant obstetrician.
Specialist clinics
In addition to the routine obstetrics/ midwife clinics we currently run the following specialist clinics:
- Vaginal Birth after Caesarean Section (VBAC) - this is run by midwives to support women in their decision making following a previous caesarean section.
- Birth Choices Clinic - this is run by midwives to support women in their decision making if they have any concerns regarding labour and delivery. Women are supported in their birth planning when care maybe outside the normal guidelines.
Care for women who live outside of East Cheshire
We accept referrals from women who live outside the Eastern Cheshire area and choose to have their babies at Macclesfield District General Hospital. We provide dedicated antenatal clinic appointments.
If you would like to discuss having your baby at Macclesfield General District Hospital then please do not hesitate to contact us on 01625 661163 (Monday to Friday between 9.00am and 2.30pm).
Clinic visits
Each consultant and midwife has a weekly clinic with an appointment system in operation. We would appreciate it if you could attend the clinic at the arranged time. If for some reason you are unable to attend, please telephone the clinic on 01625 661160 to rearrange your appointment.
Please bring with you your handheld notes and a specimen of urine, in a clean container with your name clearly marked on it. If you are arriving by car please allow plenty of time to park.
Maternity Safety Information
Click here for latest from NHS England
Pregnancy
Click here for all you need to know about trying for a baby, pregnancy, labour and birth
Alcohol and Pregnancy
Click here for the latest advice from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG)
Pregnancy Patient Information Leaflet
Click here for if you want to know more about the RCOG's advise on eating healthily in pregnancy
Pregnancy Book Click here to view advice on a healthy pregnancy, labour and childbirth and the first weeks with your new baby
- Moreton: Readesmoor Medical Group Practice, Lawton House Surgery and Meadowside Medical Centre - based at Congleton War Memorial Hospital and Congleton Children's Centre
- Tatton: Knutsford Medical Partnership (Toft Road, Manchester Road, Annandale), Chelford Surgery and Holmes Chapel Health Centre - based at Knutsford District Community Hospital and Knutsford Children's Centre
- Lyme: The Middlewood Partnership (McIlvride, Bollington, Priorslegh and Schoolhouse Surgery) and Poynton Children's Centre
- Quarry Bank: Wilmslow Health Centre, Kenmore Medical Centre, George Street Surgery, Handforth Health Centre and Alderley Edge Medical Practice - based at Oakenclough Children's Centre
- Bollin: covering all 6 GP practices at Water's Green Medical Centre - based at Hurdsfield Children's Centre
- Silk: covering all 6 GP practices at Water's Green Medical Centre - based at Ash Grove Children's Centre
- Acorn Team: providing enhanced midwifery care for vulnerable families across the East Cheshire region
In order for you to make decisions about your choices during your pregnancy, we will provide you with all the latest information to help support and inform your decisions. The information provided should include the benefits and risks, and whether there are reasonable alternative options. The information may be in leaflet form or direct you to a recommended website or link.
Your choices can be discussed at any time during your pregnancy with either your midwife or obstetrician.
Understanding how risk is discussed in healthcare [Patient Information Leaflet]
Giving birth is generally very safe for both you and your baby, wherever you choose to have your baby. Your midwife can discuss your options to give birth at home, in a Midwifery led unit or in an Obstetric led unit.
Midwife-led unit or birth centres are more 'home like' and relaxing, they can be in or next to the hospital. Here at Macclesfield, our midwifery-led rooms are within the main Maternity unit.
Obstetric led unit or the labour wards have more facilities for high-risk pregnancies. These tend to be the main ward in each hospital. Here at Macclesfield, our labour wards are in the main hospital situated next to the midwifery-led rooms in the Maternity unit.
Greater Manchester and Eastern Cheshire Local Maternity System
There are lots of things to consider when getting ready for the birth of your baby. The best environment for you to have your baby will feel safe, comfortable & relaxed. The LMS My Birth My Choice website provides one place to access information about the choices available. https://www.mybirthmychoice.co.uk/
Read more:
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg190/ifp/chapter/Choosing-where-to-have-your-baby
For most women, a straightforward normal vaginal delivery is reasonable and achievable. For some women with complications that put them into a high-risk category, they may need certain interventions. For more information please speak to your midwife on 01625 661145
Resources to support Personalised Care
A short animation explaining what personalised care means for women is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlbJyMIqitA
Read more:
Assisted vaginal delivery https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/assisted-vaginal-birth-ventouse-or-forceps/
Choosing a caesarean section https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/choosing-to-have-a-caesarean-section/
Elective/Emergency caesarean section https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/caesarean-section
My birth choices after caesarean section https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/patient-leaflets/birth-after-previous-caesarean/
Smoking in pregnancy has been linked to:
- Poor health for the mother
- Miscarriage
- Bleeding
- Poor health for the baby
- Slow growth
- Premature birth
- Stillbirth
- Low birth weight
- Cot death
- Breathing problems and wheezing in the first six months of life
If you or a family member smokes and you are pregnant or have just had your baby, you can make a difference to the health of your child. Smoking is harmful throughout pregnancy, but, as soon as you give up, you and your baby benefit immediately. Our in house specialist support service can help you if you wish to stop smoking. We can also advise your family what local stop smoking services are available to them. Please contact Kelly on 07385373054 to discuss.
NHS pregnancy smoking helpline – 0800 169 0169
Keeping a healthy diet
A healthy diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle at any time but is especially vital if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Eating healthily during pregnancy will help your baby to develop and grow.
You do not need to go on a special diet, but it's important to eat a variety of different foods every day to get the right balance of nutrients that you and your baby need.
It's best to get vitamins and minerals from the foods you eat, but when you're pregnant you need to take a folic acid supplement as well, to make sure you get everything you need.
Exercise in pregnancy
The more active and fit you are during pregnancy, the easier it will be for you to adapt to your changing shape and weight gain. It will also help you to cope with labour and get back into shape after the birth.
Keep up your normal daily physical activity or exercise (sport, running, yoga, dancing, or even walking to the shops and back) for as long as you feel comfortable.
Exercise is not dangerous for your baby. There is some evidence that active women are less likely to experience problems in later pregnancy and labour.
Watch our video explaining the importance of eating well and keeping active during pregnancy here.
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