Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU or are North and East Hertfordshire's antenatal bookings just CRAP?

29 replies

GetDownYouWillFall · 23/02/2011 14:54

Please would you indulge me in a fuming rant about how CRAP my antenatal services are?? Angry Breathe, breathe, breathe.

ARRRRGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhh Just got off the phone I am so angry Angry They are all bl**dy idiots. Bearing in mind I am nearly 11 weeks pregnant, and I have had NO CONTACT so far whatsoever from ANYONE - apart from my GP who I saw very early on and who passed my referral on the next day after seeing her.

I have had to do ALL the chasing. No one actually cares at all. I have experienced nonchalant, passing the buck types all the way through.

I rang my surgery last week - "nothing to do with us, ring the hospital". So I rang the large main hospital (the one with the delivery unit). They don't deal with bookings at my local hospital - where I specifically stated I wanted my scan / blood tests etc. But she assured me she would pass it on.

So I wait ANOTHER WEEK. Still nothing.

So I ring them again today. Only have a switchboard number for the main hospital. The local hospital is covered by same switchboard. Ask to be put through to local hospital where they do the scans. Wait and wait and wait. Finally someone answers. Then have to be put through AGAIN to antenatal bookings. It rings and rings and rings. Left it ringing for 5 WHOLE MINUTES. No one answers. Not even an answerphone Angry

So I ring back the switchboard - "can I have the direct number for antenatal please as they are not picking up" - them: "no, because they don't have a number" Hmm WHAT?>???! They don't have a number? "No, you have to ring switchboard". Angry

So I go through the whole process of being put through to different places 3 times AGAIN. Only for the phone to ring and ring again. Doesn't divert back to switchboard. I am so fuming.

Left it a bit, thinking "no come on, calme down, give them the benefit of the doubt, it's lunchtime". Ring back half an hour later same story.

FINALLY get through to someone after repeating this process about 4 times. She has done me a letter - HURRAH I think! But - GET THIS - their letters are SENT OUT BY A VOLUNTEER, who isn't in today, and may not be in again this week, so it won't go out today, and probably won't get to me till after the weekend Angry Angry a[angryu]

SO I say, can you give me the DATE of the appointment? Yes 4th March. Great I say, do I need a full bladder? "Oh no, this isn't your scan date" - WHAT?????? - this is your booking in date. If you want a scan you have to ring THIS number....... Angry

So I have to ring yet ANOTHER number to try and get my scan booked.

When I finally got through she said :But you've probably missed the slot now for a nuchal scan Angry as you are over 12 weeks. No, I'm not, I say, I am 11 weeks this weekend. "But according to your LMP you are nearly 13 weeks" - "But I have long cycles and I KNOW when I ov'd - I know my dates" - oh but we go by LMP - WHAT???!?!!!!!!!!! (as if ALL women in the world have 28 day cycles - idiots) Angry

Eventually she said "ok if you want to go by what you think YOUR dates are that's up to you" Hmm Errr lady, I think I know my dates thanks hmm So she gives me a scan date right at the END of the period you are allowed to have them for the nuchal scan. And the icing on the cake - it's not at my local hospital, it's at the big main one - the one I was trying to avoid going to in the first place.

Thank you I say. Do I get a letter confirming my scan date and where I am supposed to go? "Oh no we don't normally send out letters, why do you need a letter?". (err, maybe because I need something in writing to confirm to me it's actually booked because you are all so flippin incompetent that I have absolutely NO confidence in you or any of your systems whatsoever) Angry Angry Angry Angry Angry

Excuse me, am I being unreasonable here or IS THIS JUST CRAP????????????

OP posts:
Chil1234 · 23/02/2011 14:59

Relax... you're in the NHS baby-producing sausage machine and they will find you for blood-tests, scans and everything eventually, don't worry. Did one ante natal class myself (also in Herts) but they were relatively late on. In the meantime, assuming you're feeling generally OK, enjoy the peace and quiet!

Original poster
GetDownYouWillFall · 23/02/2011 15:02

Grin Ok point taken. Just feel that this is a rubbish service!!

OP posts:
MsGee · 23/02/2011 15:13

I'm in North Herts and found the key is that the midwife sorts a lot for you. Once you book in with her (and should be able to do that via GP?), then you get all the other appointments.

However, they don't like to book you in too early because they think its not worth it Shock leave it to the last minute and you get in your position.

I had early scans with DD before seeing MW as GP referred me to hospital and she was astounded that I'd had one without going through her, it was as if I'd leapt into a parallel universe.

However, they are good in the last few weeks of pg and after LO is here. I think when they are stretched that is where they prioritise their time. It made me Angry when pg but once I was struggling with a new born I agreed!

Original poster
GetDownYouWillFall · 23/02/2011 15:21

thanks MsGee "as if I'd leapt into a parallel universe" - that made me smile Grin

I am just amazed at how slow everything works, also how little the staff you get through to seem to know about the process!

I wish I could get hold of a midwife like you say!

OP posts:
sparkle12mar08 · 23/02/2011 15:24

I'm in north herts too, and just rang the surgery and asked for a midwife appt at about 8 weeks each time. Got one same week and bingo, it's all done for you. No need to see GP at all, just go straight to midwife at your surgery.

Original poster
GetDownYouWillFall · 23/02/2011 15:27

sparkle I would have done that too, but the GP said they would contact me, so I just took her word for it and waited. And I don't think my surgery allow you to book MW appts until you've got your first booking in appt through.

OP posts:
MsGee · 23/02/2011 15:28

Where are you in Herts?

Your GP should give you a midwife appointment and phone number. Can you cry down the phone a bit? Grin

MsGee · 23/02/2011 15:29

Sorry - you have tried this. Normally the booking in appointment is with the midwife, so sounds like you are caught in a catch 22.

Frustrating - but keep calm, you have another 27 weeks of the NHS to deal with!

Sierra19 · 23/02/2011 15:33

I am in East herts and booked at Lister. Early on I did find that I had to do all the chasing and I only got a glucose tolerance test because I asked for it (they forgot!). Because I am between Lister and community midwives they blame each other for everything. I was actually told that they leave you to do a lot of the chasing because there are not enough midwives and they hope that by you arranging it (instead of them) some people won't bother as much, therefore more appointments available.

MsGee · 23/02/2011 15:40

Sorry - my information might be out of date - DD is nearly 3!

minibmw2010 · 23/02/2011 16:33

I had something similar with my hospital (Colchester) but eventually they got me into the system and its been absolutely fine since then. I had to ring and chase for my first scan date though. I was told to ring the Community Midwives Office (based in the hospital) and they were v helpful. Does your hospital have one of these? I got the phone number off my GP Surgery.

Vallhala · 23/02/2011 16:36

The Lister by any chance?

Original poster
GetDownYouWillFall · 23/02/2011 17:22

Yes it is the Lister!! Sierra that's terrible re. not enough midwives and hoping some people just won't bother Shock Seems such a shoddy service Sad

OP posts:
Chil1234 · 23/02/2011 18:09

Tsk! Tsk! The NHS isn't a service! It's a privilege! A sacred cow which cannot be improved upon, is the envy of the world and for which we are expected to bow down and be bloody grateful... :) (I am being sarcastic) If you've never had reason to use the NHS beyond GP visits before you get pregnant, it can all come as a nasty shock, I'm afraid

MsGee · 23/02/2011 18:20

I transferred to Addenbrookes at 30 weeks pg to avoid Lister, well worth the extra drive!

Original poster
GetDownYouWillFall · 23/02/2011 18:50

I stand corrected chil1234 Grin How dare I have the audacity to question the wisdom of the NHS Grin

MsGee don't think I could transfer to Addenbrookes - we only have the option of Princess Alexandra, Lister, or QEII (never again after last time).

OP posts:
MogadoredMemoo · 23/02/2011 18:52

GetDown, you are pregnant? I am so happy for you Grin when are you due?

Original poster
GetDownYouWillFall · 23/02/2011 18:56

Helloooo memoo I am indeed Here's to it all going a bit better this time round!

Due 17th Sep!!

How are you doing m'dear?

OP posts:
MogadoredMemoo · 23/02/2011 19:05

I'm doing good thanks. I'm sure You'll be fine this time, you'll be better prepared, in fact you're probably in a stronger position than most.

I really am so happy for you, just had to explain to DH why I'm grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Original poster
GetDownYouWillFall · 23/02/2011 19:35

thanks memoo I have to say I am in denial a bit about all the stuff that comes after the birth! Have not really thought about it yet, but going to be under the care of the peri natal psychiatrist all the way through so hopefully she will keep me in check Smile

Glad to hear you are doing well - well done. x

OP posts:
rosie1979 · 23/02/2011 20:06

The Lister is fab for deliveries tho! :) Fab midwifes and theres nice new delivery rooms

Original poster
GetDownYouWillFall · 23/02/2011 20:20

thanks rosie that is good to hear!!

OP posts:
strawberrycake · 23/02/2011 20:32

To make you feel better, I'm in East London and had my FIRST contact with a midwife at 28 weeks! This was my first pregnancy too. It sadly was just the beginning of a string of shite concluding with no discharge papers after hospital and no midwife visits after birth. GP surgery expressed shock when I rung to book 6 week check as they'd not been informed, I explained that I hadn't had a 46 week pregnancy and yes really I wasn't still pregnant.

Original poster
GetDownYouWillFall · 23/02/2011 20:56

Shock strawberrycake!!! That is AWFUL. Did you make a complaint? What was their excuse??

OP posts:
strawberrycake · 23/02/2011 21:18

Too tired with a baby to be making complaints tbh. Saved the complaints for ds' treatment now he's born, which has also been shite!