To be worried? Can't get hold of Midwife

[TakeABreakAt12]

I'm just turning 12 weeks pregnant. I done the self referral to the midwife online over 3 weeks ago.

I still haven't heard anything. 3 days ago I called round and nobody was available. I managed to get hold of the community midwife's number and it went straight to voicemail. I asked my GP surgery about this and they said they 'think' she's on holiday

Absolutely no help from the hospital maternity department. A few very rude secretaries have told me I'll just have to keep trying her number since there's nothing else they can do.

AIBU to be worried? I need a 12 week scan! Which I know can be done beyond 12 weeks (slightly) but even still....

You definitely can't self-refer by phone to the maternity hospital you want to give birth in?

Only because in my area you get allocated a community midwife from them.

Cola In my area you are assigned the community midwife attached to your GP surgery

Ooh I’d give the hospital a call and see if they can help. You really need to be seen ASAP for the screening tests.

asked my GP surgery about this and they said they 'think' she's on holiday

GP here. Unfortunately we have no control over, or information about, the community midwives' working patterns. They don't work for us, they just use a room in our surgeries for our patients' convenience, to save them schlepping to the hospital. We don't usually get told when they are on leave.

You need to find out which organisation employs your local community midwives and ring that. Sometimes it is the local hospital, but more often, it's a community provider organisation. Have you tried googling "community midwives XX [wherever you live]"?

Do you have to self refer on the NHS hospital website?? That's what I had to do when pregnant with my youngest.

Sorry should clarify that the GP surgery secretary is the one saying they think she's on holiday. It's the hospital ones in the maternity department that have provided me with that midwife's direct mobile number and say they can do no more, despite me saying there is no answer and there never has been

Isn't there any information about what to do/who to contact on the webpage that had the self-referral form?

If not, try googling as above. You should get something like this for your area.

Try her again on Monday. If she has been on leave then she might be back with it being the start of a new week.

If still no joy then contact PALS and ask them to liaise with maternity services on your behalf as you need antenatal care and no one seems willing/able to provide it. They should be able to advocate for you with either the hospital or the community midwives and get something sorted.

Call the antenatal department at your local hospital, they should be able to help.

I remember my GP surgery buggered up my referral to the community midwife team. Upshot of that was, like you, I didn’t see anyone at all until I was past 12 weeks. And I wouldn’t have got a scan without repeated phone calls and chasing.

Sounds like someone's dropped the ball. I would ring the hospital you intend to give birth in or the main birthing hospitals where there are consultants. Just Google and get the number online. Call switchboard and ask to get put through to the birthing unit and ask to speak to a midwife. Explain you are nearly 12 weeks, no midwife has seen you at all or done the initial booking in appointment. You've not been offered a 12 week scan appointment as a result and you are CONCERNED that if this goes past 13 weeks, the opportunity to complete vital screening such as the downs screening etc will be missed. Tell them this is causing you a great deal of anxiety and you would like to have an appointment either for a dating scan or at the very least with a midwife to complete booking asap and that you are willing to drive to the day assessment unit at the hospital to have this if needs be. Be strong and don't get fobbed off!

Are you able to share what county you are in? In my county there's a team of midwives so you are assigned one but if she/he was away/Ill then there is a number you can call to speak to another midwife. Of course I got given all these numbers at my first appointment! If you say where you are there might be someone on here with numbers.

It's bad that you have got this far without contact. I woul complain and suggest they update their practices.

If this doesn't work - I'd ask then clearly explain to me my options if the screening opportunity window is missed. For example will a private blood test be offered to cover screening usually done at the 12 weeks scan? I'd take down names so people feel less inclined to pass you off. And if I felt really poorly listened to, I'd ask to speak to the lead midwife to complain or would threaten pals.

Is there a central contact point for the community midwives? Ours are run in teams and there is a phone number for each team so even if midwives are on leave the calls get picked up by whoever is covering. There is also a community midwife coordinator working from the hospital who would be able to help you.

It's not right that you've been left without care. You are right about your scan and you'd also have received info regarding blood and screening tests but this point in your pregnancy. I'd try and contact the hospital you'd like to birth in again and see if you can get someone to put you in contact with the Community lead midwife or, if desperate, you could phone postnatal ward and explain your situation. Discharges are always happening from the postnatal ward to the community over the weekend so there should be someone to help you. Hope you get it sorted soon.

I would go to EPAU. I went in for early pregnancy reassurance with this pregnancy after some bleeding, they booked my 12 week scan then and there so I didn’t have to wait for the midwife to book it and it was already sorted by the time I had my booking appointment - is that an option?

If this doesn't work - I'd ask then clearly explain to me my options if the screening opportunity window is missed. For example will a private blood test be offered to cover screening usually done at the 12 weeks scan?

That's not good enough - The bloody screening isn't as accurate.

I would go to EPAU. I went in for early pregnancy reassurance with this pregnancy after some bleeding, they booked my 12 week scan then and there so I didn’t have to wait for the midwife to book it and it was already sorted by the time I had my booking appointment - is that an option?

I tried They insist I must see the midwife and they have no say in 12 week scans as that's a specific 'booking'

Definitely go via PALS then

It's a separate issue but the NIPT is actually more accurate than the NHS screening so there is a screening option available if you're too late for the nuchal.

Obviously you shouldn't have to be seeking alternatives as this should be sorted but just to reassure you that there is an option.

P.s I second PALS or look to get hold of the Supervisor for midwives at the hospital. Good luck!

Find out who the head of midwifery or matron in charge of community or antenatal care is and contact them directly. Should be fairly easy to find on the trust’s website. You’ll be amazed how quickly things get done. You could also try contacting the antenatal screening department directly. (Midwife here)

Surprising. I heard the blood test was much more accurate for checking for downs - because it analyses the fetus actual DNA - instead of that spine gap measurement method where there is always a margin for error as it's not based on any actual dna...it's just comparing the gap to the norm and making a hopeful prediction based on that. But the NHS doesn't like to offer everyone the blood test as it's far more expensive. So if you get offered the blood test, I'd definitely go for it.

you are 12weeks pregnant
do you need a midwife yet?

Keep trying and explain you will miss your window for your 12 week scan.
Is there another hospital you can go to ?

I would complain and call again taking down names and times you spoke to the staff. This isnt on and it’s not professional.

Regardless of the blood test you need to have your scan - for safety, reassurance and I’m sure you want to see your baby !

TF !?! This really isn’t on

You can have the screening up until 14 weeks and 1 day so you’ve got some time yet but you need to get booked in.

Google antenatal clinic for your hospital, that’s where the scans are done so they should be able to help.

If all else fails contact a different hospital and book in there instead. You can always transfer care later if you want but it means that someone is seeing you at least.

Can’t believe that there is no back up for the one GP midwife. For all you know she could be on long term sick etc. Someone should be taking responsibility for this and ensuring people are seen at the appropriate times.

midwives don't arrange scans?

I ended up not seeing a midwife till I was 18+5. My friend was nearly 20 weeks so when she went they did the anomaly scan at the same time.
If I was you I would just go private that's what I had to do.