I have now provided care for 7 families on the Isle of Man, with 2 more on the way! I have very fond memories of my experiences there and the island is rapidly starting to feel like my second home! I work in exactly the same way as I would on the mainland, but obviously have to make enhanced arrangements for travel and staying over.

Antenatal care
You would need to decide if you wanted some or all of this from me. However as a minimum I do recommend an initial booking (which can be at any time during your pregnancy) and if you have booked early on, that another visit around 36 weeks takes place to discuss birth. The local community midwives are very happy to share care if you so wish. I am also happy to come over for your routine antenatal appointments and you can contact me by phone, Skype or email at any time. With my previous clients I have flown over for the day, to give us more time getting to know one another.

Birth and postnatal period
The care package for women on the Isle of Man in addition to any arranged antenatal care is to come over and cover for birth and early postnatal care for a period not exceeding two weeks. Any extra time over and above this, is outside of the standard package and would need discussing on an individual basis.

Labour care
This is different from care in the UK as obviously I can’t keep flying back and forth. We look together at your given date of delivery, family and menstrual history to determine when your birth would be likely. From that we discuss between us the best time for me to come over and at then stay for the birth. We all have to accept this is the only way to plan for labour care, as occasionally births happen very quickly, but I will do my best to be there – and have already had experience of a quick dash! So far, no births have been missed. Once I have arrived, I am on call for you 24 hrs/day until your baby has been born.

On the Isle of Man, I can provide homebirth care and there is some scope for attending births at The Jane as well. I have a good relationship with the local midwifery department and Jane Sloane (Head of Midwifery) is able to provide information with regards to how I work or I can put you in touch with a local past client if you want to discuss homebirth, independent midwifery and other such matters.

Postnatal care
I am happy to stay and provide any initial postnatal care which would fall within two weeks of my initial arrival. The local community midwives then take over and complete your care.

Costs
The cost of care on the Isle of Man is £3,250. This covers:

• As much antenatal care as you wish, which ideally should include at least one or two antenatal visits. If visits are not possible, then we would have some lengthy pre-arrival conversations by phone, or Skype.
• Two weeks of care for labour and postnatal care. Please remember that I am away from my family and home for these two weeks (and from any other clients), so I have to keep this period totally clear for you.
• The cost of £3,250 does not include, flights or ferry and accommodation – these need to be arranged by you and the cost met separately. If you would like a second midwife to be present for the birth this would also need to be arranged, at a cost acceptable to you and the midwife. I have several colleagues who I could recommend to act in this role if you would like more information.