Roles of Different Health Professionals Supporting a Pregnant Mother

General Practitioner (GP)

First point of contact: The GP is often the first medical professional attended when a pregnancy is suspected. They can confirm the pregnancy and initiate appropriate care.
Ongoing support: GPs provide ongoing care throughout pregnancy, usually in conjunction with midwives. They can assess health progress and suggest interventions where necessary.
Referrals: The GP can provide referrals to other health professionals, such as dieticians or physiotherapists, who may be required to support the mother during her pregnancy.

Main care provider: Midwives are usually the main care providers during pregnancy and childbirth. They offer assistance with birth planning, prioritise the health of the mother and baby, and provide postnatal care.
Health advice: Midwives offer advice on health during pregnancy, including nutrition, exercise, and well-being. They also guide on antenatal testing and vaccinations.
Preparation for birth and beyond: They educate the mother on what to expect during labor, breastfeeding, and postnatal recovery.

Monitoring complications: Obstetricians are medical doctors who specialise in pregnancy and childbirth, particularly dealing with high-risk pregnancies or complications.
Labor and delivery: Obstetricians assist labor and delivery, especially for caesarean section births or other surgical procedures.
Postnatal recovery: In case of complications during childbirth, obstetricians help manage the mother’s postnatal recovery.

Postnatal support: Health visitors are typically involved after the birth of the baby. They provide support and advice on issues like feeding the baby, managing the baby’s sleep, and adjusting to parenthood.
Child development checks: Health visitors also carry out regular checks on the baby’s development and can highlight any areas of concern early on.
Family support: They can provide advice and support on wider issues affecting the family, like housing problems or managing with other children in the family.

Nutritional advice: Dieticians provide specific advice to ensure the mother is getting all the necessary nutrients during her pregnancy for her health and the baby’s development.
Managing dietary conditions: For mothers with pre-existing dietary conditions such as diabetes or obesity, dieticians create custom meal plans to manage these within the context of pregnancy.
Postnatal dietary care: They also provide guidance to new mothers trying to lose weight after giving birth, helping them do so in a healthy manner while ensuring they meet their nutritional requirements.

Managing physical changes: Physiotherapists guide pregnant women in managing the physical changes to their body, aiding with pregnancy-related pain or discomfort.
Prenatal exercise: They create suitable exercise regimes for pregnant women, ensuring their physical health is maintained while reducing the risk of complications.
Postnatal recovery: Physiotherapists assist with postpartum recovery, helping new mothers regain strength and manage any physical complications following childbirth.