AIBU to be very pissed off with my maternity services? I don't know what to do and I am panicking! HELP!!!!!

[CrazyChristmasLady]

Was suppose to have MW today. I am almost 33 weeks and saw her 4 weeks ago. She was adamant she wants to see me after the receptionists last time told me to see the doctor at 16 weeks which means I have seen my MW twice in 33 weeks of pregnancy.

Due to weather appointment was cancelled. Was then told next appointment is 17th January! I will be almost 38 weeks and DS was born just after this time. To me it is not good enough that I am expected to wait with no checks at this late stage of pregnancy. I have a consultant appointment on 5th January to discuss my birth after a previous forceps and 3rd degree tear birth. I really really wanted today to go over my rough plan with my MW (who is fantastic and supportive) as I am also worried that the consultant is going to dismiss my plan and possible senarios and outcomes.

I have been told I can see my doctor if I am worried. She wasn't there today and has no appointments until 10th January. I can try and phone first thing in the morning to get an appointment for that day (I loathe doing it, it is going to be a nightmare trying to get one but it seems it is my only choice).

My MW is at the childrens centre 1 morning a week, that is it. I asked if I can leave a message for her to phone me so I can at least speak to her and they said they can't do that as they won't see her. She told me last time she isn't allowed to give out her mobile number (some people on here suggested asking for that, as that is what they have). I have no way of contacting a MW. My surgery tell me to go to the childrens centre, the childrens centre tell me to ask the surgery.

It is a complete fucking shambles and I am sarting to get worried because of the birth I had last time. I am allowed to have an elective c section but I am keen to avoid this but if I can't talk to anyone about it, I am getting so worried I am thinking about just doing it (even though I don't want to). I have to give them my decision on the 5th which is why I want to discuss my plan first!

I am freaking out!

that might be how it works in England confuddled - but not in Scotland. Here PM is an employee of the GPs - basically an admin job. There is no subcontracting between practices and other NHS staff/ The PM has NO authority over any staff who aren't employed by the practice. (I work in primary care planning)

Ok, got to speak to my MW this afternoon whilst she was at the surgery doing her booking in appointments (why the surgery couldn't have told me I could do that the other day when I spoke to them a few times about it, I don't know. Took the CMW from the hospital to tell me that).

She was great! She had a home birth on Monday and had to go to sleep. She was not happy that the childrens centre just cancelled all her appointments without rearranging or actually telling us why (I assumed it was the weather, obviously it wasn't). I told her what I have been told about not having an appointment until 17th January. She then said she is running a 1 off clinic at the surgery on the 4th January in the morning, but she will stay for as long as it takes for everyone to be seen. Why no one could have told me this I don't know. I phoned reception back and booked an appointment for the 4th, all done! Reception must have known she would be there then as she had to book the room and I vaguely remember her telling me a while ago she was running a 1 off clinic (but it was weeks ago and I couldn't remember the details).

Told MW I had been given the run around, she wasn't happy. This is after I tried to book an appointment with her for 16 weeks (after she specifically told me to see her) and the receptionists wouldn't let me, they said I had to see the doctor, despite me telling them what the MW said, they wouldn't listen. I didn't see my MW from 8 weeks to 28 and she couldn't understand why until I told her. She wasn't happy about that either.

Thank goodness she is great as no one else has been through this bloody pregnancy!

So glad you have got it sorted :)

It might be worth writing a letter to explain your frustration regarding all this (if you have the energy, of course).

People (surgeries/managers of receptionists) can't fix things if no one highlights problems. Though, I understand you've got a lot on your plate right now. I'm the same - I get annoyed, then fired up and ready to write my letter - then forget because EastEnders has come on... :)

Good point Thereisalight I often think I am going to complain about something, get really het up and in my head compose the letter, then time passes and I can't be bothered.

Maybe I should in this case though.