To think labour triage should answer the phone?

[WorldsOnFire]

I’m just under 30 weeks so hopefully a while to go yet but the other morning I woke up with back spasms/bump pain and a small release of fluid (enough to soak underwear and drip down my legs).

I had an apt at the hospital first thing so went along- told them about it and they said I needed to be seen by triage. They tried to reach them several times and couldn’t, so I was told to walk down to near the labour ward and keep ringing them.

I did this ^ every few minutes for about 45, until I got so hungry (I’d had to fast for my other apt) that I felt faint and had to go get food. I then went back to the dept I was originally with (staffed by midwives too) and asked if I could just present myself at the labour ward as nobody was answering- STILL

I was told no- this isn’t possible I had to reach someone on the phone.
Kept trying but in the end I was so fed up and uncomfortable that I just went home.
Luckily the pain eased and no more fluid.

Had a routine apt with my midwife yesterday who checked me over and didn’t seem shocked at all that triage hadn’t answered ‘yes they can get very busy’.

AIBU to wonder why they bother telling you at every apt how important it is to ring triage for any concerns if they don’t answer the phone for hours?!?!
Hopefully I’ll have a slow labour but I have multiple friends who had less than 4-5 hours between contractions starting and baby being here! It’s now giving me quite a lot of anxiety thinking about it. I completely understand how over stretched the NHS are and think they do a wonderful job, but can’t help thinking (like with ambulances) there’s a bit of a time factor on labour and not being able to reach anyone for hours is ridiculous!

Please don't wish for a slow labour. Change hospital and midwifery fast

YADNBU, as pp said, based on that, I'd be changing hospitals. That's not good enough :(

I found this with my labour ward too.

I only had to call them once, I was 36 weeks and I’m severe agony. It took me hours of calling and crying while I tried to get through. Someone answered and said “I suppose you’ll have to come in then”.

I wish I had the option to change hospital at that point as it was a massive red flag for the treatment I received afterwards.

I had sepsis and it was missed for 4 days while I stayed in the assessment ward. I was delirious, vomiting black liquid, I didn’t know where I was and lost consciousness several times a day. Every day a midwife would tell me I was going home today and I was terrified. Ended up that my baby’s movement stopped and they put my asleep for emergency c section. It was an all around horrible experience and I definitely have some level of PTSD or Birth Trauma now.

If you can, change maternity hospitals. It will put your mind at ease.

Hope the rest of your pregnancy (and labour!) goes smoothly.

I can’t change hospitals really as the next nearest is an extra hour drive and is in the same ‘special measures’ as the one I’m currently at!

DH is also a Dr at my current hospital so should I go into labour whilst he’s at work he’d be there to meet me/someone could get a message to him!

It’s made me very anxious and now is playing on my mind constantly. Last night I dreamt I was bleeding/contracting, on my own outside the labour ward doors banging on them but couldn’t get in.

^ Dramatic I know but it’s obviously in my head and worrying me if I’m dreaming that!

@WorldsOnFire

Pregnancy gives you some vivid dreams doesn’t it?

I don’t think it’s dramatic, it’s a genuine concern you’ve got based on your experience of the ward so far. The only thing I can think is, even if you can’t get through to them on the phone when you go into labour, if you just turn up, surely they aren’t going to send you away and refuse to see you? I’m sure people turn up in a panic every now and then and they have forgot to call first. And with your DH working there maybe he could call them internally and let them know you’re on the way? If it’s massively urgent and you can’t get through.

This is the last thing you need to be worrying about, it’s stressful enough being pregnant at the best of times.

Maybe address the concerns with your midwife at the next appointment and see if she has any suggestions? Or ask what would happen if you couldn’t get through and you just had to turn up in labour?

I’m sure it will be fine.

You can just turn up in labour if needed - please don't worry. It helps to manage workload if you can call ahead (also occasionally units close due to staffing or patient levels). If you can't get through, just turn up.