Any good experiences with midwives at UCLH?

[thomasina1]

Every time I have seen a midwife at UCLH I have been very disappointed - they always seem very rushed, don't have time for me, don't ask whether I have any questions, mumble away at me incoherently and generally leave me feeling like the appointment was a complete waste of time.

This is in complete contrast to the consultants I have seen there who have bent over backwards to be helpful and have been brilliant, even answering all my silly questions.

I don't like to moan but I am now getting a bit concerned, particulary as I was planning to use the midwife-led birthing centre there! Can someone reassure me that there are some good midwives there and that my experience isn't typical??

[MarianneM]

I wish I could say yes, but I was so unhappy with the UCLH midwives I changed to Chelsea & Westminster when we moved house. In my experience the UCLH midwives were very nice, but terribly busy, impossible to get hold of, and the appointments were for about five minutes and nothing was really ever explained properly.

Completely different story at Chelsea & Westminster - they really take the time to talk to you and listen to your questions etc.

I would ask for more time when you next see them, and prepare a list of questions!

[thomasina1]

Thanks Marianne. I did have my list of questions at my last appt but to be honest I had so little faith in the midwife I saw that I didn't get past the first one!

Weirdly the consultant I saw last time was brill and happy to go through my entire (long) list of questions. Plus I really trusted that he knew what he was talking about!

I think you are right, they are just v busy. As I am seeing consultants too I can put up with it, and hopefully their behaviour will be different on the labour ward.