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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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To be extremely pissed off with my midwife

178 replies

Random1999 · 17/09/2014 22:34

basically I asked for an extra appt with my midwife to discuss somethings I had on my mind (in particular if my pregnancy is high risk, due to the fact I'm only 15, where I can give birth as im 19 miles from any hospital that has a labor ward, if homebirthing is an option etc) we then got onto the subject of breast feeding and life in the first few days after birth. these were some comments she made.
"you wont breast feed because you are too young" "it would be stupid to try to breast feed you will most likely get post natal depression and it would make you suicidal with the extra pressure as opposed to if you bottlefed" "You shouldnt even try to breast feed it doesnt matter what you want its about whats best for baby" as a whole im very annoyed, frustrated, a bit angry and quite insecure now :( Am i being sensitive or is she just a dick? IMO shes unprofessional at best.

OP posts:
Downamongtherednecks · 18/09/2014 00:47

Random best wishes for your pregnancy. You know, the way you have defended yourself against attacks on this thread, and your obvious determination tells me that you will be a brilliant mother. Now, all you need to do is make sure you get the care you and your baby deserve. Complain, get a new midwife/lactation consultant with expertise in caring for young women like you, and have a healthy and happy pregnancy.

Hurr1cane · 18/09/2014 00:53

Hi SmileSmileSmile

I was 17 when I got pregnant.

I'm an amazing mum to my gorgeous 8 year old thanks, and his dad is an amazing dad, he was also 17. We aren't together and haven't been since DS was a baby, but we have always co parented and co operated.

I found motherhood quite easy actually. I rather enjoyed it all. My DS had a horrible neuro regression at age 4 (basically his brain just failed and wiped out most of it's data) and now he's quite severely disabled, that was hard, that took every ounce of strength to get through, but that had nothing to do with my age then (21)

Know what I do now? I support other mums with one of the same conditions as my DS through a support group I help run, I am a primary school teacher, I am a carer, and DS is happy and loved and everyone compliments me on how well I've set up the house to meet all his needs, by myself, with no funding.

I'm not saying any of this to brag, it's just pretty run of the mill stuff for parents of children with disabilities, but I'm saying it to drill it into some very rude posters that age doesn't have an impact on what kind of mother you will be.

Maturity does. Age doesn't.

OP you will be just fine. Smile

Random1999 · 18/09/2014 00:56

Thank you. it must be very hard for you, HUG I won't pretend to know how you feel but if you ever need a friend i'm here :) xx

OP posts:
Isabeller · 18/09/2014 01:02

Friend had first DD when 15, was (and is) a fantastic Mum. I was 20 and breastfed without much hassle (am ancient now). Congratulations Random and good luck with breastfeeding Flowers

Hurr1cane · 18/09/2014 01:03

You as well. You'll be fine though. Put your child first and you will work through everything. Although I wouldn't recommend getting pregnant young, that's purely for social and educational reasons.

Having a baby is just the most life changing and amazing thing ever. I've never felt love like that for my DS Smile

If you get PND, then so be it, you'll get through it with support. If you can't breast feed, you've got bottles there, no matter how hard things seem at the time, you can always get through them. Things like that don't mean you've failed and aren't because you're young. They're just things that happen.

Random1999 · 18/09/2014 01:09

Thank you isabeller :) I dont see why people get so het up about young mothers, yeah some are downright shit not going to pretend, they think they can still party, drink etc when that isnt the case, I see it so often its unreal but then youve got those like me sorting out my home (moved in with DP and FIL), earning money where I can (generally fixing computers for people in the area for a low fee) planning my future with my partner who is 17, has a car and works full time (at the maximum legal 40h a week), and i still get shit from people.... Blanket judgements truly rile me...

OP posts:
myusernameis · 18/09/2014 01:15

Hi op, your midwife does sound v rude and unprofessional. If you dont report I think you should at least refuse to see her again. She should be informative and supportive but she sounds awful.

Not the same but I recently had a baby, now 2 months old, and I was told I was too young aged 26. I also got a lot of "you have no idea what you're in for" type comments from people, especially mil (who also told me many horror stories about labour and about breastfeeding) and I'm glad to say so far everything, including breastfeeding, is going great.

As annoying as it is when people make negative and patronising judgements about your, it does feel good if you can prove them wrong.

Congratulations on your pregnancy by the way! Sounds like you've thought everything through, just need to get a decent midwife now!

myusernameis · 18/09/2014 01:21

Reading her comments again and I know it's already been said, but seriously.. Is it any wonder there are such low rates of breastfeeding in the under 20s with those kinds of attitude! AngryConfused

Random1999 · 18/09/2014 01:29

Thank you everyone myusernameis , I just cant believe over one thread she questioned my (future) skills as a parent and insulted my wish to breastfeed (Although i only want to try it as has been said multiple times) grr x

OP posts:
madwomanbackintheattic · 18/09/2014 01:58

Ok - one day 'trying it' isn't going to cut it, I'm afraid. Particularly when you have already decided to have a tin of SMA in, just in case it's hard. It takes a good few weeks to get the hang of, and bits of your scabby nipples will fall off (or you will pick bits off so that your baby doesn't choke on them) during the period when bf gets established. Hopefully it will hurt for just a few days, but it's this sort of information that doesn't get handed out freely, and is why a lot of younger mums (and older mums) give up after 'trying it' for a day or two. It's bloody sore until you both work out what you are doing, and not in the least bit mother and baby mag soft focus. (Think toe curling awful at latch). By a couple of months? Sure thing, easy peasy, but don't go expecting it to be hunky dory on day three, or you will be one of the 'you tried it but it was too hard' crowd that reach for that handy tin of SMA to make the pain go away. Your mw will have seen the backtracking from a bazillion mums, teen and otherwise, who run for the formula as soon as they can. She just doesn't want you to have to go through that knock to your confidence if you don't understand how hard it will be.

So you left school at 14 and moved in with your 17yo bf, and won't be going back to education for another three years? How does that work? Is there a get-out clause for ft education if you are upduffed?

Congratulations. You sound very together, but 'I'll try it for a day or two' is showing your naïveté, however many expected challenges you can rattle off glibly. It's almost as if your mw was trying to suggest you might not understand the practicalities of bf, and may find it a huge shock... Of course, if indeed she did say you would be stupid to try it, then go ahead and complain, and ask to be seen by a different one.

On your other questions, once you are in labour you will be expected to get your bf or his dad (sorry, not calling him fil) to drive you to the hospital - or call an ambulance. 19 miles isn't the ends of the earth. How pg are you? Sometimes you won't get the opportunity to discuss birthing options until your booking-in visit with the hospital, and then the consultant will go through everything. If you haven't had your anomaly scan yet, then they will be wanting to get those results too, before advising. Your bf and his dad are happy for you to home birth?

Hope it all runs smoothly for you. (Incidentally, I don't think I've ever discussed bf with any midwife - what you do is up to you. If you want to bf, bf. it's no great shakes, and really they don't usually care - I found my med notes from a 6 week check that said that I had tried to bf ds1 but it didn't work, so he was ff. all completely made up, as ds1 didn't ever take a bottle in his life as he had a plastic phobia from being nebulised at 10 weeks (double pneumonia from rsv). I pondered complaining, as I clearly consider myself the bf queen of the west, however, I realised I would only be doing it to build up how great I was - it wouldn't make a jot of difference to anyone else, and my ego isn't really that precious).

Just don't discuss bf if you find it emotive, and get on and do it once your baby is here.

Good luck.

Ericaequites · 18/09/2014 02:07

It's a very bad idea to leave school for three years at fifteen. This wouldn't be allowed in the States. Have you considered talking to your school about options to stay in school and finding child care while studying?
One reason the midwife may have suggested formula is that it would be much easier while in school. Also, you haven't had your full growth yet. This makes your pregnancy high risk.

Nmchngd · 18/09/2014 02:16

Don't let anybody be discriminate toward you because of age (or anything else). In the eyes of the law you may have 'made a mistake' but, you're carrying a baby, your body is as capable as dealing with that as if you were older, and breastfeeding I think is an individual thing-some women in their thirties struggle, some teenagers find it a breeze , (you have breasts tissue, so you're as capable as everyone else!)and everything beyond and between.

If you're not comfortable with your midwife, you have the right to express your valid concerns. You have as much right as any other woman in pregnancy. You sound very together, not just for your age, but generally!

There are disadvantages to having a baby young. And It's stigmatised-but, there are also disadvantages to having a baby into a bad marriage, having a baby older, having a baby when you have health conditions-nobody who isn't in a perfect family unit should be judged by their midwife. There are many ADVANTAGES to having a baby young . And if the midwife focuses on the DISADVANTAGES, it should be from the point of view of seeing these and giving you support. Not discrimination, not judgement, not anything other than support.

Good luck, and be assertive but not aggressive.

callipygian00 · 18/09/2014 02:25

YANBU. If she called you stupid and discounts bf just on the basis of your age that is completely unprofessional and you should put in a complaint. However when you're complaining you'll have to be very specific about what she did say (red tape). There's a slight but significant difference between her saying 'it would be stupid to try to bf' and her saying 'don't be stupid, you shouldn't bf'. The first way is her expressing her opinion (rudely) on trying to bf at your age and the second would be her calling you stupid. I know it's only a slight difference but it would make a difference to her superior when they deal with it. Either way she's out of order, and her attitude stinks, so I would request a new midwife. Congratulations on your pregnancy, and don't let her make you feel insecure, you sound like you'll be an excellent Mum.

Random1999 · 18/09/2014 02:27

I left school before I was even pregnant, So its not a get out clause. I moved in with my boyfriend due to abuse in my home... I'm never going back to school. I'm starting college in september of 2017 not school... I left school due to illness. 19 miles isnt the end of the earth no, but I'd rather not be too far away from somewhere at any time so I hoped there was a birthing centre nearby. I'm actually a low risk pregnancy, regardless of age so will be allowed a homebirth in my birth plan (Unless complications arise god forbid) Yes my partner and fil are happy for me to give birth in the house if it is what makes me more comfortable... If baby latches I will continue, If baby hasnt latched by the second or third day and i'm expressing into a bottle anyway I may aswell just use formula, but I will try for up to a week before changing to bottle.

OP posts:
Random1999 · 18/09/2014 02:36

The original point of this thread has been solved so id rather not explain myself, No disrespect intended but I probably wont post here again thank you all again :) x

OP posts:
Dayshiftdoris · 18/09/2014 02:37

Wow

Sorry but the midwife is wrong... Every woman is different and assessment should be individual.

The only thing I would have said to you wanting to breast feed at 15 (after brilliant) different to someone at any other age is to make an assessment of when you were required to go back to education (because I have known new mums to need to go back / sit exams within a few weeks of delivery which means supporting the woman to learn how to express earlier or advising school). Plus I would have possibly advised discussing supplements for a longer period due to the iron stores being already depleted by teenage growth and then adding pregnancy.

All the other mental health screening and assessing the home environment is as standard and the needs / risks arise from that not their age.

I remember reading a paper many years ago that stated that age was no indicator for emotional maturity and I realised over my career that it was accurate.

I have never ever seen any evidence that says formula is protective against postnatal depression and suicide. If only it was that simple.

Dayshiftdoris · 18/09/2014 02:42

And OP there is no shame in wanting to breast feed.... It is ok to want that and a home birth. It's good to have an aim and you don't have to excuse it with 'well I am only going to try'

Good Luck - persevere with the midwives - I was one and it's unusual to come across one like you have. Don't lose faith in the system.

Eminybob · 18/09/2014 04:08

Madwoman I appreciate that you are trying to help the op with your comments on what breast feeding is likely to be like in the early days, but just because that may be your experience it doesn't mean it is definitely going to be the same for everyone. I had no pain and enjoyed breastfeeding from the off.
To say it will be painful and your nipples will be scabby is unhelpful and could be off putting to someone who is undecided about trying. (Not just op, anyone else reading this thread)
Yes fine to say that is what happened to you, but not to say it will definitely happen to everyone.

mrsmaturin · 18/09/2014 07:51

Of course I wouldn't have asked an older mum these questions. That's because it's the op's apparent age that is the driver behind the alleged statements from the midwife.

Whilst I've got everybody offended I might as well chuck a couple more things in to the mix.
Firstly - whilst very young parents can be extremely successful, 15 is NOT an ideal age to be having a baby and it would be absurd to behave otherwise. The OP's existing issues which she is receiving counselling for, her lack of family support and of any qualifications also make her situation more difficult than many teen parents.
That said the situation is a bit odd - she dropped out of school last year and nobody in authority seems bothered by that and happy for that to continue for another 3 years. I find that very, very hard to believe. Also I note the boyfriend is 17 and the OP is well under 16. It's a bit worrying to me that nobody in authority is interested in that either.

chaseface · 18/09/2014 07:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TheNightIsDark · 18/09/2014 08:05

Shock mrs you sound charming.

The OP is coming across as well informed and happy with her situation. Take your judgy pants to somewhere that asked for your advice.

OP, I had DS at 19 with a handful of gcses. I am now about to start my last degree module with the OU and start my PGCE. I got millions of shitty comments and I couldn't breastfeed him (midwives wouldn't help me and I couldn't get him to latch) but he's happy and healthy.

Best of luck to you, your partner and baby.

TheNightIsDark · 18/09/2014 08:08

Also is it really that difficult to grasp the school situation? Plenty of people home school so I imagine deregistering with that purpose or similar has happened.

mrsmaturin · 18/09/2014 08:15

World of difference between 19 with GCSEs and 15 with nothing.

The OP bought this situation to the thread and attacked the midwife who saw her yesterday. I don't think that attack is warranted. There's far too much pandering going on in this thread and a refusal on the part of many posters to look with honest eyes at what the OP is apparently describing.

todayisnottheday · 18/09/2014 08:19

Mrsmaturin you've made your point, said your piece. What do you hope to achieve by continuing to bang on? You've battered the op off the thread but it's unlikely you'll manage to brow beat any one else here so what is your aim exactly? What challenges do you think you'll face?

mrsmaturin · 18/09/2014 08:23

The OP doesn't strike me as brow beaten. Quite the opposite actually. I'm sure we'll hear much more from her.
Some other posters do need to think about how credulous they are and how responsible and realistic their postings are though.

At the moment my major challenge is finding clothes for work given my washing machine gave up the ghost this week. HTH.

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