Antenatal care during pandemic

[Cocktails4One]

Hello,
Just wondering if anyone has any experiences to share re their antenatal care during this pandemic (all the threads have found were posted during the peak so wondering if things should have settled down or if I'm being unreasonable).
I already posted about having had no communication or letters from the hospital but can't seem to find that thread to reply on.

Anyway I'm 11+6 weeks pregnant and still haven't received a single appointment letter from the hospital or booking appointment or a date for my first scan. I just rang the hospital and they had all my details but said that due to covid they are prioritising women further along in gestational age and therefore I should have my scan when I am around 14 weeks. While this is fine and I'm trying to be understanding re them being very stretched given the pandemic, I'm not sure if I should be worried that they haven't at least even given me a date for this 14 week appointment?

I also haven't had a booking in appointment where I understand they carry out a risk assessment and am worried I would be high risk because I'm in my late 30's and had a pulmonary embolism when I was on the pill (though this was over 10 years ago). I have no healthcare professional that I can even inform of this Any advice? Should I just wait for the letter given that I feel ok and most people say the hospital leaves u to it during early pregnancy? I don't want to be unreasonable and contact PALS and kick up a fuss when the NHS is under so much pressure but at the same time I don't know if I should be worried.

Thanks in advance x

[Hatepickinganame]

I had my appointments during the peak and lockdown, booking in app was over the phone, scan at 12 weeks with a proper midwife appointment, scan at 19 weeks again with midwife after, ive had 2 consultant apps due to complications, and i have another scan in 2 weeks, with a midwife and a consultant appointment. So yeah yours sounds terrible in my opinion. I would definitely be chasing them up!

[gonewiththerain]

I’ve just had a baby and my antenatal care was really good despite the pandemic. I’d definitely chase it up and possibly contact your gp who can also chase it up for you.
I presented rather late and had a scan within 2 days

[GAW19]

Have you got the number for the community midwives in your area?
Mine have been fab if I've had questions to ask.
I had my booking in over the phone at 9 weeks, bloods at the hospital at 10 weeks then I have my scan at 13 weeks.
Goodluck op

[m4d0]

This sounds unusual currently 29+4 had both 12 week and 20 week scan (twice wiggly baby) not heard of scans being postponed and to be honest find it weird as most hospitals are actually quieter as not back to routine stuff or busy with Covid now.

[Cocktails4One]

Thank you! Good to know I'm not being unreasonable! I've had nothing since I've been registered and midwife says she only gets involved from 32 weeks onwards. I'll contact PALS and complain as I've rung the hospital several times and they don't seem too bothered x

[Cafeaulait27]

@Cocktails4One I am also waiting to hear from a midwife about my booking appointment, but it’s only been a week. I think online it says if you haven’t heard in a week then you should call them.

I would definitely chase again and mention why you think you might be high risk, and if needed raise it as a complaint.

I know it sounds awful to say that but sometimes it’s necessary to politely complain to improve services. It’s often the ones who are on the phone every day chasing that get to the top of the list!

I think it’s really unfair you have to wait until 14 weeks and seems strange too, I know september is a busy month for pregnancies traditionally but still. I don’t really know how covid would be affected by the pandemic really to be honest!

[Mc3209]

I've been one of the lucky ones with a very good care so far. I am 32 weeks, have always had the same community midwife, all appointments and scans scheduled on time, needed a consultant appointment and extra scan all scheduled on time.
It looks like there is a lot of variation depending on where you are unfortunately.

[Catchingbabies]

A lot of hospitals are struggling at the moment sadly, COVID + the usual September rush of all the Christmas babies arriving mean resources are really stretched to the limit.

It’s not acceptable that you haven’t spoken to anyone. It sounds like you would qualify for LMWH injections in pregnancy which should be started ASAP and you may need aspirin also. Another thing to consider is if you want the screening for T21, T18 and T13 as there are cut off gestational for this and if your dates are a day or 2 out you could end up missing out.

I would suggest contacting antenatal clinic and asking to speak to the manager.

[PolarBearStrength]

@Catchingbabies

A lot of hospitals are struggling at the moment sadly, COVID + the usual September rush of all the Christmas babies arriving mean resources are really stretched to the limit.

It’s not acceptable that you haven’t spoken to anyone. It sounds like you would qualify for LMWH injections in pregnancy which should be started ASAP and you may need aspirin also. Another thing to consider is if you want the screening for T21, T18 and T13 as there are cut off gestational for this and if your dates are a day or 2 out you could end up missing out.

I would suggest contacting antenatal clinic and asking to speak to the manager.

Agree with this. You should be on LMWH and that should be a relatively urgent referral in my eyes (midwife).

Are you in an area with particularly high Covid numbers? We are still running a very slightly amended schedule but for the most part are fairly business as usual in my trust!

[Monts45]

This sounds really poor. I’m 13+6 and I had a face to face booking in at 9 weeks, midwife & bloods at 11 weeks, 12 week scan at 12+6. I’m high risk due to a variety of factors, and saw my consultant on Monday too. You definitely need to speak to someone, this doesn’t round right

[Joeyandpacey]

Same as above, 12+6. Had scan today (and had an early one). Had booking appt at 8 weeks. Everything seems like normal except asking your partner not to come to scans. Annoyingly I followed the advice but this morning I seemed to be the only one who had and everyone else had their partner there!

[unimaginativeusernamehere]

I'm in Scotland, all of my appointments have been as normal except 16 week appointment which was over the phond

[WindsorBlues]

I'm currently 23 weeks. I had to self refer for my booking appointment / first scan at 12 weeks DH was not allowed to attend.

At that appointment I was told that all 16 week appointments had been cancelled so the next time I was seen was at my 20 week Scan and DH was allowed to attend that one.

I will no longer be seen at the hospital and have been discharged to my community midwife until the birth. I'll be seen by MW at 25weeks and they'll make a decision at that point when I'm to be seen again. DH isn't allowed to attend any midwife appointments with me.

[Cocktails4One]

Thank you all I have just emailed PALS and will ring them again tomorrow too. It's good to know you've all been ok and makes me realise how appalling this service is!

@PolarBearStrength - it's actually Wexham Park Hospital based in Slough. Not sure if they've been particularly badly affected by covid, can't seem to find any stats online.

[Njay2571]

I'm 38+5 today.

My care has been very hit and miss. I'm in Derbyshire where covid isn't too bad. I'm consultant led care. My first appointments were on time. Early scan and 12 week scan. 20 week scan on time and all on my own at the hospital.

I've had phone calls with midwife for most of my second trimester appointments which was fine with me. Third trimester have been face to face.

My main complaints have been with hospital. This is my second baby and I've done everything they've asked and been understanding through lockdown. I'm elective c section after EMCS last time. I was supposed to get a date at 36 week and they said no you'll get one at 38 weeks. Got a letter for a growth scan saying partners could now attend scans. Then he was turned away at the door and midwife argued with me that the letter said only 12 and 20 week scans. I was then given a c section date of 39+6. The day before my due date? Really??
So while complaining about these two things I threw into the mix that every time I was at hospital I was kept waiting for anything upto 3 hours to see various people. Not once did anyone come out to explain or apologise for delays.

Fast forward to this week and matron from the hospital rang. Apologising profusely that I had recieved the letter which was incorrect. She acknowledged and apologised for the delays in clinic. Lastly she bumped my c section up to monday.

All of my complaints were logged calmly and appropriately and I have had Jo complaints at all with community midwives they've been brilliant.

I think currently some districts are lax in certain areas as they are so focused on covid. Roll on Monday! 😍

[ByTheSeaCatsandAll]

I couldn’t go to my scan at 12 weeks, had it at 14 weeks instead and it was too late to have the combined screening test done. So I could only have the quadruple blood test which only tests for Down’s syndrome and is not as accurate. It meant I had to wait until the 20 week scan for them to check for Edwards and Pateau syndrome which was stressful. I hope you get a response from
PALS and good luck!

[ShinyGreenElephant]

Thats awful! I'm 13 weeks and already had 2 nhs scans plus booking in in person, and been given the date for my 20wk scan. And its my 3rd pregnancy with no complications and my areas not doing very well covid-wise. Hope you get it sorted, you deserve much better

[NoNameIdeas]

I'm 27+4 today, think I've been lucky with my care so far.
Booking appointment at 8 weeks over the phone and my notes then delivered, initial bloods and blood pressure etc also at 8 weeks at a clinic with 1 patient allowed in at a time. 12 and 20 weeks scans on time and whopping cough vaccination with an extra midwife check. I'm also under consultant care and have had a phone appointment and scheduled appointment for 34 weeks, gestational diabetes test and 28 week midwife appointments both next week...think I saw the midwife at 16, 20 and 25 weeks. Oh and get text check ups too!
As others have said the only difference really has been that my husband hasn't been able to come to any appointments with me, the actual care has been amazing.

Really hope you get yours sorted OP, doesn't sound good at all.

[NatalieH2220]

That's really bad especially if you may not be low risk!

I'm pretty unimpressed with things so far. I'm 29 weeks and had the initial booking in over the phone then nothing until my midwife appt at 28 weeks last week. Scans were booked and okay but midwife isn't that responsive and I've called MAU twice this week and been brushed off both times. I've ended up booking 3 private scans so far for reassurance.

[Belle1983]

I hope you get sorted soon @Cocktails4One.
Even with the covid situation, it seems like your care does fall short
I'm registered at a hospital which was a main covid centre, and even though I think some of the restrictions about appointments are still stricter than necessary, I had a booking appt (phone usually) at around 9 weeks then 1st scan just over 12.
I have another phone call planned and date for 20 week scan.
I'm just ahead of the at 12+5

[Cocktails4One]

Thanks everyone. So ....I emailed PALS last night with a long complaint and mentioned my blood clot again. I've not just received a text message from the hospital with a telephone booking in appointment on Wednesday and blood/urine tests on Friday. Don't know if it's a coincidence

[Cocktails4One]

Still no scan though. The text said that will be at a later date

[Cocktails4One]

@Njay2571 - best of luck for Monday!