Pregnancy
Wherever you are in your pregnancy journey, we are here for you if you need us.
We can help reassure you while also giving you practical advice and coming with you to appointments, scans, or hospital visits.
We work closely with the Derian House Family Support Team to make sure you are given all the information and support you need.
Meet Maria - our midwife
Maria Williamson, 56, brings 30 years of midwifery experience and 38 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse to Derian House and bridges the gap between atenatal and postnatal care.
Maria’s career spanned more than 38 years at Burnley Hospital, where she first qualified as a nurse in 1986 and as a Midwife in 1993.
“As a midwife, I think the pregnancy journey should feel special for all parents, no matter the situation. We want them to enjoy it and spend time with their baby in whatever ways we can help them do that. One way we can do that – and one I think is incredibly important – is through memory making. Whether it be writing a diary during pregnancy, or recording a baby’s heartbeat – this is something families can keep forever.”
Understanding and planning ahead
We’re here to help the whole family understand what is happening – we can try to explain the clinical jargon in a way that makes sense.
We’ll help you start preparing for whatever lies ahead, including writing a care plan for your pregnancy and delivery, which you will be able to share with everyone involved – including your GP and consultants.
How can our Midwife help you?
Our Midwife works in partnership with the hospitals and their specialist teams. Maria can support you throughout your pregnancy by offering…
Appointments
We can help you co-ordinate and come with you to scans, meetings with specialists, and hospital appointments as a familiar face or an advocate for your family.
Creating memories
We can help you create precious memories during your pregnancy and help you to properly feel like a mum or dad.
Our Midwife can help you create pregnancy keepsakes like memory journals and recordings of your baby’s heartbeat.
We can get excited with you when you feel everyone else around you may not be.
Emotional and practical support
If you are feeling overwhelmed during pregnancy or that you need someone to talk to, there’s always someone at the end of the phone at Derian.
We are here to discuss anything at all – whether it’s about labour and birth, or what happens after.
Whenever and wherever you need us, just ask.
Our midwifery service is in addition to your NHS appointments.
Once your referral has been received, our midwife will be in touch within 2 weeks to discuss how we can best support you.
You can decline referral if you feel this is not the right pathway for you and your family. But you can change your mind at any time and ask to be referred or you can refer yourself.
You are free to use as much or as little of our service as you need as we are here to support you in whatever way works for you.
Our support extends from diagnosis in pregnancy and Postpartum, including support for your baby if needed.