We are very proud to introduce our continuity team covering the North Dorset region.

We are a team of midwives aiming to provide continuity to you throughout your time with our maternity service.

What Does this Mean?

You will refer your pregnancy to us though the Maternity Matters website in the usual way. If your postcode is within our area then your referral will be sent to our team. Our main postcode areas are DT10 and DT11, however we do consider other postcodes if they fall within North Dorset.

Once we receive your referral you will be allocated a named midwife. We have a team of midwives who cover the Blandford area and a team based in Sturminster Newton. Your named midwife will depend on who has capacity on their caseload and your home address. If you have had a baby with our team before then we aim to allocate you to your previous midwife to maintain continuity.

Once allocated, your named midwife will contact you and aim to see you at home at around 8 weeks pregnant. This is your booking appointment. At this appointment we will discuss your medical history and any particular questions you may have. We will also offer you your first trimester screening tests and discuss options around these. Often it is at this appointment we discuss individual needs and care planning. No two pregnancies are the same and we will work with you and the team at Dorchester to devise a plan that is appropriate for you and your baby.

The aim of a continuity team is for you to see the same midwife for the majority of your appointments throughout pregnancy and postnatally.

We endeavour to cover a 24 hour rota for labour care, either through working at the maternity unit or being on call. We will always be honest and open with you around  discussions regarding your care, and work with you to help support your birth plans.

During pregnancy we offer you two face to face education sessions with the team. These not only offer you information about labour, birth and newborns but also gives you the opportunity to meet some of the other midwives in the team, therefore increasing the likelihood of you knowing the midwife caring for you in labour.

If you would like to contact the team please do email us at:

Cranberry.midwives@dchft.nhs.uk or call 01258 450431