Modern Urban Midwives

It’s tough juggling time for family and career, and even tougher when a woman is pregnant.  

Enter the midwife.

Lexie Minter, a 29-year-old London midwife, has launched The Prenatal Company, a service for high profile executives. Says Minter, "GPs, physiotherapists and dentists have been in the City for years offering corporate care. But to date no midwifery care has been offered.

"This service is tailor-made for the demands of the City. It gives value for money with the minimum of hassle and time."

For £5,000, Minter will provide support throughout the pregnancy including blood tests, guidance on health and exercise, check-ups at work and advice on which hospitals provide the best services to pregnant women.

"Having Lexie at my side to guide me through the system has been wonderful. Having her there to answer my biggest worries and to reassure me like a friend or family member might, has been invaluable," said Sheryl Marjoran, one of Minter's customers.

This type of service seems to be coming at the right time as there are estimates that 1,150 more midwives are needed in London. In addition, the Healthcare Commission reports that approximately three-quarters of all London maternity wards are rated as "poor".