Midwife told me one thing but wrote something differrent in my notes

[NAR4]

At my midwife appointment last week a student midwife was also there. Midwife questioned why the consultant (who I was never sent to) didn't write anything in my notes about my Placenta Previa. I had already had a midwife appointment since it was diagnosed and at that appointment she told me it was fine and didn't need me to take any special precautions (not what she told another mum under her care, who has a low lying placenta rather than full placenta previa). I asked if I should be sent to see a consultant then and she just said there was no point now as I have another scan in 3 weeks.

She also quizzed me on 'missing' my last appointment with her because she hadn't seem me for 7 weeks. I pointed out where she had wrote the next time I was to see her, in my notes and I definately hadn't missed one. She now wants me to see her in only 2 weeks, to make up for the missed appointment. Surely this is completely pointless.

She listened for the baby's heart beat and said she had found it right by my bellybutton. I questioned if she was sure that it was the heartbeat as my placenta is growing up the front wall and the hospital struggled to find it. They even struggled with my scan because of it. She said it definately was, but I am still doubtfull.

She then measured my bump and said it was 4cm bigger than my dates, but that was normal for a 5th pregnany. However she wrote in my notes 29cm which is how many weeks I am.

Felt she was just arse covering because of student being there and the appointment was a waste of my time.

What's the point in having these appointments if things a 'fudged' just to tick the right box?

[bonzo77]

This all sounds confusing, worrying and condescending. I'm sure you know that a "heart beat " can be heard from the placenta which is not a heart beat at all, though they do sound different. I think you need to discuss your concerns with another midwife, the supervisor of midwives or an obstetrician.

[armedtotheteeth]

I would complain and ask to see someone else. If you really measure 4cm bigger than dates then she should enter it.correctly in your notes. I suspect she's just avoiding referring you -as far as i know you get a growth scan if your measurement is more than 2cm out. Why she would do this though i hve no idea!

[NAR4]

I'm sure it was the placenta she heard and not the heartbeat. Not particularly concerned though as baby is moving lots and I have a scan in 3 weeks.

Was more concerned with her inconsistancies. It makes me doubt previous advise given. i.e. that I didn't need to take any precautions due to Placenta Previa, but put this down to maybe it isn't considered true Placenta Previa until it is still like it at 32 weeks scan. Also concerned about measuring big for dates. I know if you measure more than 4cm bigger than dates it means you should be referred to a consultant, but don't know why.

Can't help but wonder if the reason she wants to see me in 2 weeks, is to double check everything before I go to the hospital for the scan.

When is the birth plan discussed? I thought it was done at 28 weeks appointment but maybe it is being put off (for obvious reasons) until after the scan.

[HauntedLittleLunatic]

The heartbeat thing...

The foetal heart pushes bloody around the placenta. So the placental pulse is the same as the foetal heartbeat in rythmn.

However they should try to find the feotal heart if possible - not sure why, but it can be difficult to find with an anterior placenta and sometimes isn't possible in which case placental pulse is accepted. Just so you can tell the foetal heart is 'clicky' the placenta is 'swooshy' but unless someone demonstrates the difference I doubt you would know.

[MousyMouse]

I think I would complain + amend the notes with date and signature. it's a legal document after all!

[NAR4]

I did hear the differrence at the hospital and it was definately swooshy at the midwife appointment. Good to hear that it is fine to hear this though. Maybe that is why she wasn't worried, but would have just been nice for her to have told me that.

Think that some things are a case of me knowing too much for my own good, as this is baby number 5. Midwifes don't always explain their thinking behind things (like the heartbeat).

Glad I will be having an extra scan soon and I think a lot of my flapping is anxiety due to this.

You have put my mind at rest that the midwife knows what she is doing with my care. Thankyou.