Frequently asked questions.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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