Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Advice on Midwifes.

8 replies

stephR12 · 05/06/2021 20:37

Hi! I hope some of you mums can help. Im currently 11 weeks pregnant and I'm not really sure what you should be looking to expect of your designated midwife. So to give you an idea what I mean, my booking appointment didn't go well at all. I felt a little rushed and when she tried to get my bloods she tried twice in my arm with no joy, to which I told her I didn't feel so good, then she went in my hand and failed and I asked her to stop because I felt faint, any way long story short I did faint, fell off the chair banged my head and bit my tongue. (not ideal! and I never usually faint with bloods but ive been having dizzy do's) that knocked my confidence but was just one of them things and maybe I was jumping the gun feeling embarrassed. Then she told me she would call the next day about my blood pressure, but called a week later and I missed the call.. couldn't get her again. And recently when ever ive tired to call I don't get an answer or a return call so I fell like im pestering! Is this usual? I have nothing against her, but don't feel confident with her and now I won't call or worry about calling and working about seeing her on my next appointment as she's just ignored my calls and questions. As a first time mum, I hoped if I had any question within reason a midwife was there to answer them when she was free. Ive also had an ectopic pregnancy before this so feel a little reassurance within reason would be nice. I would never call about any little thing. Firstly and not so pleasantly I had piles so had a question about cream, and second call ive had pains in my lower tummy and back for a few days and just wanted to know if that was normal around 11 weeks. Not sure if its me or if I should look at possibly switching if everything is ok come 12 weeks? Thanks for your help in advance.

OP posts:
reluctantbrit · 05/06/2021 21:03

Do you have just one midwife or a team? I would maybe check with your normal GP surgery if there is a scheduled MW clinic and make another appointment.

I felt the booking in one rushed, I know there is a lot of women to see and if you are normally in good health and tick all the boxes they move you along quickly. But I was lucky and had a good team who was more than happy to answer questions inbetween appointments and would come back quickly.

DappledThings · 05/06/2021 21:48

This is one of the many reasons I find the idea of having a dedicated midwife weird and unhelpful. If you need to get hold of only one person there's definitely going to be less chance of them answering the phone.

I was always under the care of a team of midwives with a central number to call if needing advice or anything.

Is there a way of being seen by a team of midwives where you are so you aren't reliant on one person?

CuppaTandCake · 05/06/2021 22:53

Firstly, I’m sorry you’ve had a less than positive first experience.

Do you not have a central number to call if needing to speak to a midwife? At my trust we have a 24 hr bleep number so that this is possible. It will either go through to a community midwife (though not necessarily yours) during working hours, or the delivery suite bleep holder over night. We put these numbers on the front of women’s notes at booking for this purpose.

I would say that the queries you have raised here are better directed to your Gp, especially for haemorrhoids, they can prescribe and unfortunately most of us can’t (an additional course is required to do this for us).

I would hazard a guess that given it is half term this week (where I am anyway) that she may well be on annual leave? It’s a hard job to switch off from so I have actually had to lock my phone away this week so I’m not checking messages.

If you feel you can’t go back to her as you have lost faith in her you are well within your rights to change mw, if there is more than one at your Gp practice you could request this through them (ask them to put a note on their system to this effect) or failing that contact your main unit to be reassigned but be aware you may have to go to a different Gp practice.

I have insight into this situation as both patient and midwife, I changed my midwife with my second as she acted dishonestly towards me and I am now a community midwife myself, so I can empathise completely

I hope you get this sorted so you can enjoy your pregnancy going forward

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

JewelGarden · 06/06/2021 00:33

Just ring the community midwives number and any of the midwives will help you, it doesn't have to be your designated midwife.

stephR12 · 06/06/2021 19:53

Thank you for all your helpful words, I live in a small village which the midwife is the only one I think. I got given her number to call with any concerns but haven't been given a number for the community midwifes, so maybe ill call the doctors to ask for that number. So regarding the symptoms ive had previously I did ring the doctors and they said with any concerns I should get in touch with my midwife, so I feel like they think I should speak to her, but then I cant get hold of her! Last night I had a little bit of bleeding after having cramps all day so just called the maternity unit for women over 16 weeks because I wasnt given any other numbers and didn't know who else to call on a Saturday evening, the midwife was actually really really lovely and helpful and made me feel better. Maybe ill get some more contact numbers tomorrow when the doctors open. Thank you all for your help!

OP posts:
FakeTanandProsecco · 06/06/2021 20:13

I'm glad the midwife you spoke to about your bleeding was helpful @stephR12 . I agree with CuppaTea that the symptoms you've been having are best discussed with your GP. You don't actually come under the midwifery remit until 16 weeks, so they should be assessing you.

And don't be embarrassed about fainting- it happens more often than you think Smile

Best of luck with your pregnancy

FakeTanandProsecco · 06/06/2021 20:14

Oh and there will be more than one midwife locally, if you wanted to swap that wouldn't be a problem!

JewelGarden · 06/06/2021 20:25

@stephR12

Thank you for all your helpful words, I live in a small village which the midwife is the only one I think. I got given her number to call with any concerns but haven't been given a number for the community midwifes, so maybe ill call the doctors to ask for that number. So regarding the symptoms ive had previously I did ring the doctors and they said with any concerns I should get in touch with my midwife, so I feel like they think I should speak to her, but then I cant get hold of her! Last night I had a little bit of bleeding after having cramps all day so just called the maternity unit for women over 16 weeks because I wasnt given any other numbers and didn't know who else to call on a Saturday evening, the midwife was actually really really lovely and helpful and made me feel better. Maybe ill get some more contact numbers tomorrow when the doctors open. Thank you all for your help!
Glad you're getting sorted, it sounds like the midwife you're trying to get in touch with has been off sick or something possibly.
New posts on this thread. Refresh page