At birth

Sometimes, it is necessary to have a paediatrician present for the birth of a baby. This is to ensure that a baby starts regular breathing and establishes a normal circulation immediately after their umbilical cord is cut. The need for a paediatrician to attend a birth is often clear weeks earlier but sometimes it only becomes clear just prior to birth. Common scenarios are described below:

• Elective Caesarean section - your obstetrician’s secretary will arrange with our clerical staff for one of us to attend the birth. This may be one day or up to six months in advance! We will write to you explaining what will happen at the birth.

• Emergency attendance in birth suite - occasionally, a paediatrician is required to be present for a vaginal birth. This may be because of twins, a premature birth, if the baby has become distressed or if the birth is anticipated to be complicated in some other way. Your obstetrician will call one of us to attend at short notice.

• Emergency Caesarean section - quite frequently, it becomes clear during labour that it will be safer for a mother and/or her baby if the birth occurs by Caesarean section. In this situation, your obstetrician will contact one of us to attend the birth, again at short notice. 

​​Refer to the individual doctors' pages for the cost of these services.