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HealthInfo Aoraki South Canterbury

Lead maternity carers

Once you know you're pregnant, you need to think about finding a lead maternity carer (LMC). An LMC looks after you during your pregnancy, during your labour and giving birth and after the birth of your baby.

You may register with an LMC as soon as you become pregnant, and it's best to register during your first trimester (if possible, by nine weeks). If you're further along in your pregnancy and have not registered, you should register as soon as possible.

In South Canterbury, your LMC will be a midwife. You may also receive first trimester care (up to the 12th week of pregnancy) from a GP even if they aren't your LMC.

The following links provide information about midwives in your area and about what you can expect from your LMC.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed January 2022.

See also:

Antenatal tests and screening

Midwives

Page reference: 77419

Review key: HILMC-67839