Question 1

Which areas of London do you offer in person home visits?

Accepted Answer

Generally central, west, south-west, and a bit of north-west London. I live in Fulham and try and keep travelling time to 45 mins or less. However I am open to travelling further for an extra charge so please get in touch to discuss options.

Question 2

Can I visit you at a clinic?

Accepted Answer

Not yet – but I hope to be offering some clinic-based consultations in Fulham and Wandsworth in early 2025.

Question 3

Do I still have to have antenatal/ postnatal care with the NHS?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I provide non-clinical care and support alongside either your NHS or private maternity care. I don’t provide individual medical advice, and you should contact your own midwife or obstetrician if you have a specific concern for either you or your baby.

Question 4

Are you available 24/7?

Accepted Answer

I am available on WhatsApp for those who have booked a package of care or lactation consult between 8am-6pm Monday-Friday (non-urgent queries only). I work two days a week for the NHS and so replies on these days are around my working hours.  You can find my contact details here.(https://www.miranda-sykes.com/contact) For anything urgent you should contact the maternity care provider that you are booked or receiving postnatal care with.

Question 5

Do you provide support/care in labour?

Accepted Answer

No, unfortunately due to my contracted job with the NHS I am not able to be on-call and therefore aren’t able to provide this level of support. I can signpost you to birth support services if this is something that you are looking for.

Question 6

What topics do you cover in your antenatal and birth preparation sessions?

Accepted Answer

Sessions are tailored to your needs, but examples of some common topics are:
- Physiology and stages of labour, and how best to prepare for both
- Pain relief options and waterbirth
- Induction of labour and what to expect if things don’t go according to plan
- Caesarean birth - emergency and scheduled
- Birth preference planning
- Role of birthing partner
- Your hospital stay 
- Breastfeeding - physiology and how to prepare/ what to expect
- Going home and early postnatal period for you and baby
- Newborn care and physiology - what’s normal and what to expect
- Emotional recovery
- Expressing (pumping) breastmilk - when, how and why you might do this
- What (and what not) to buy, and what to pack for hospital

Question 7

Can you arrange bespoke in-person antenatal classes for groups of friends?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely - this is usually delivered over the course of one full day and the content is entirely tailored to your needs. Each couple has a virtual 1:1 consultation with me before the group session to provide a confidential space, and to ensure I cover everything that is required.

Question 8

What is a lactation consultant, or IBCLC?

Accepted Answer

A lactation consultant (https://www.miranda-sykes.com/lactation-support)has achieved the highest professional level of training and accreditation (https://www.miranda-sykes.com/qualifications)in the field of lactation and support at a global level. They have acquired a minimum of 90 hours of breastfeeding-related training, 1000 hours of clinical practice providing infant feeding support and passed a four-hour exam. They are required to recertify every five years to ensure their knowledge and practice is maintained to the highest standard.

Question 9

Can you help me even if I am not breastfeeding?

Accepted Answer

Yes – I am committed to supporting you and your feeding choices, whatever they are. I can help you prepare for using bottles and giving formula safely, and help you feel confident with feeding your baby.

Question 10

Is there a limit to the WhatsApp support I can have?

Accepted Answer

The WhatsApp support I provide is to help keep you on track after a consultation. The support lasts for two weeks after your last consultation, and should be related to the content and plan made during our consultation. For full plan reviews and revisions, a follow up consultation is required.

Question 11

Have you been vaccinated against Covid-19?

Accepted Answer

Yes, I have received all covid vaccines and boosters. I take up all vaccination opportunities for healthcare professionals.

Frequently asked questions.