Disappointing ante natal care..

[Daisy310575]

At 29 weeks, I've had two appointments with two different midwives (antenatal only) and the last one spent much of the appointment on the phone or complaining about other people... In addition there are no ante natal classes in my London borough (Redbridge) and no NCT as they have no staff.. The hospital (Whipps Cross - I'm hoping they concentrate their efforts on delivery) had it's 3hr 'parent craft' sessions for women due in November 2 weeks ago (when i'd asked they'd said I should ask nearer the time and my midwife said that they would start at 32 weeks..). I'm really disappointed at the standard of ante natal care and know that I am lucky to be able to afford to pay for ante natal classes, books on what to do with a new baby etc. Has anyone else had similar experiences?

Daisy

[crokky]

There were no antenatal classes in my area either due to staffing problems and I saw different midwives, so I sympathise. If it helps, my delivery was well staffed and I was well looked after.

Re the NCT, if you can drive, maybe 20-30 mins you may be able to get in some NCT classes in a neighbouring area. The NCT is a charity and each branch is run by volunteers (I think) so organisation of classes is very varied.

[fishie]

hello daisy. i'm in newham. lots of people here went to nct classes so there must be some around. my midwife was community-based so i saw her for all the ante natal appointments, but not for the actual delivery.

would you consider hiring a doula? wish i had.

[missbumpy]

If you don't like the hospital you can always change. I was meant to be at Whipps X (I live in Walthamstow) but I'd heard bad things about it so I asked to be referred to Royal London in Whitechapel. I hated Royal London and was having a really bad time there so asked to be referred to UCH. I think my GP now thinks I'm a right pain in the arse . I don't care though because it was the right thing to do and I'm much happier at UCH.

I'm not going to NCT classes though. Just the NHS ones at the hospital.

[designerbaby]

HI Daisy,
I had no luck with the NCT either - basically nowt happening - I'm in North London, and it sounds like you're more east but still, it might be worth giving the North London Antenatal Teachers a call:

www.antenatalclasses.org.uk/

They were very helpful, I found.

Re: hospitals... I'm at the Homerton in Hackney- they've been fabulous since I swapped to go there, and offer quite a comprehensive set of classes (although I'm not going as have loads with the NLAT...) and are probabl fairly close to you?

Might be worth considering. If you're not happy with your hospital then try and swap - not always easy, but it IS possible... otherwise you're just going to worry which doesn't help you or your bubs...

There was a thread about this last week - have a look...
Rachelx

[Daisy310575]

Thank you very much to all of you - have found an alternative antenatal class - www.activebirtheducators.co.uk and am going to an all day session on the 15th. Also went for a look around the hospital, which, while chaotic did make me feel better.

Daisyx

[Alfie72]

I know it may be a bit of a treck but just thought I would let you know that I have had a really very positive ante natal experience with the Homerton if that helps.

NCT is run by 1 person in Hackney but I hear tower hamlets have a really good service and lots of extra support groups ante and post natally.

If you go onto your local site on mumsmnet- there is sure to be a local mum who could advise via " Talk" on there.

All the best

[NotQuiteCockney]

Oh, I'm glad to hear people say good things about the TH antenatal thing, because (ahem), that's me.

Yes, you can absolutely go to other boroughs.

[Daisy310575]

Hello,

Spent many happy years working (at the parent's advice centre) in Stepney and living in Bow, quite wish I was back there... have just bought lots of things for my hospital bag so am feeling slightly more in control if that makes any sense at all.
Daisy

[Alfie72]

Not quite cockney- you can certainly give you and your team a pat on the back, I have nothing but good to report so far !!

[NotQuiteCockney]

I'm the antenatal bookings person, although this is being professionalised as of two weeks from now. (which I'm happy about, the job doesn't suit me)

There's a pretty active antenatal and postnatal thing going on here, certainly, which isn't me. It's a good borough.

I think I've met the bookings person for Redbridge, I must have ... they're probably just short of teachers.