Personalised Care and Support Plan
There are many different things to consider when you are pregnant. This Personal Care and Support Plan will help you to explore, understand and record your individual choices for pregnancy, birth and the first weeks of parenthood.
What is a Personalised Care and Support Plan
What does it mean for you?
- You are the expert on what matters to you.
- We build a picture of everything that might affect your pregnancy from medical history, previous experience and family circumstances.
- We will share with you the pros and cons of different options in a way that you understand.
- You decide on the care that is best for you.
- We listen to your views, and care about your choices.
- Your wishes will be respected and recorded.
- Your care will be personalised to meet your needs.
- It’s OK to change your mind.
What can you do to prepare for your appointments?
Think about what is important to you during your pregnancy. Consider any questions you have, for example:
- What are my options?
- What are the benefits and things to think about for these options?
- What help and information do I need to make my decision?
Choosing place of birth
Hopefully you will have seen the Your Choices booklet before you choose where to book your pregnancy. Open the Your Choices booklet online or ask your midwife for a copy.
Accessing your Personalised Care and Support Plan
North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
If you are booked for care at Hinchingbrooke Hospital or Peterborough City Hospital you have access to My Pregnancy Notes. Visit mypregnancynotes.com to register for this service and access it. The My Preferences section is the same as this booklet. You can complete online and discuss with your midwife at your appointments.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
If you are booked for maternity care at the Rosie Hospital in Cambridge you can access your PCSP digitally via the patient portal, My Chart, or you can use the paper version and discuss your preferences with your health care professional at each contact.
Everyone is different with individual needs, and it is important to have the opportunity to make the right decisions for you throughout your maternity journey.
You will be able to find out what your choices are, record your choices, and write down how you are feeling about them. We have created a series of questions to help you work through your options.
It can be beneficial to discuss and share your pregnancy preferences with your midwife, if you wish to do so. It might give you the chance to ask questions, share your thoughts and feelings, and give you both the opportunity to get to know one another.
Your preferences
As your pregnancy progresses, your needs and decisions may change. It is important that you make an informed decision, and if complications arise, you should receive information including recommendations, to help you decide on the right course of action for you.
Your health care professionals will discuss their recommendations by explaining:
- What the situation is.
- What is recommended and why.
- What the possible outcomes would be, with or without this recommendation
- When the decision should be made.
- If there are any alternatives available.
Your consent is very important and only if you give consent will they then carry out what has been recommended. You can always ask questions, including any around medical words which might be used.
- B What are the benefits?
- R What are the risks?
- A Are there any alternatives?
- I What does your intuition say?
- N What happens if you do nothing?
How to use the booklet
The booklet is an opportunity for you to complete and navigate your own personal care plan, in partnership with your health care professionals. This can either be hand written or completed electronically. The resurce sectio has a list of websites for further information. Keep the booklet with you, so you can discuss them with your maternity team at your appointments. Completing these personal care plans will support you in your preferences for pregnancy, birth and parenthood.
Access My Pregnancy Preferences information here.
About me
In the “about me” section of the booklet, you’re asked to share some information about yourself with your maternity team. This includes your preferred name, your due date, your maternity unit, your intended place of birth, your team’s name your named midwife, your midwife/team contact details, your named obstetric/midwife consultant and any other important contact numbers.