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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Is this Midwife out of line?

603 replies

SistineScreamer · 05/07/2020 17:41

Curious as to what others would think. My daughter just had her first DC yesterday. She had an elective section and is still in hospital. My daughter is young, she’s 24, Not married (and has no intention to) but been with her DP since they were 16. She’s had some MH issues, stemmed from ex husband of mine. This is all noted in her file and is a manageable, she’s had to come off her medication during the pregnancy because of risks to the baby but she was more than willing to do this. She’s in a private room and not on a ward. All this information is important as I assume this is why she was treated the way she was.

She rang me 30 minutes ago in tears. Telling me one of the midwives assigned to her has been horrible to her. We’ll call her Midwife A.

All this is what she says happened - First, DD had baby in a onsie and bib, midwife A came in and commented that the bib was too big for baby, took baby out of DD’s arms and removed the bib. Even if the bib was too big why completely undermine her like that? Next, DD brought wipes for her face, body etc they were baby brand water wipes as her skin is overly sensitive to anything else. Midwife proceeded to lecture DD that these were wrong and cotton buds must be used with water instead, proceeded to bin wipes then leave the room. Confused

Half an hour later Midwife A came back in to ask DD about her feeding choices. DD was sexually assaulted and does not feel comfortable breastfeeding, her choice. Midwife proceeded to give her the breast is best talk, asking why she wouldn’t consider breastfeeding, basically making her feel like shit for picking formula. DD mentioned she’d purchased a perfect prep machine for the formula (you know the ones that give the perfect shot of hot water at night so you don’t have to faff about with the kettle?) this woman nodded, left the room and came back 15 minutes later with a print out of the perfect prep machine....asking DD to confirm if this was what she was talking about. Nodding and tutting. What the fuck? Even if she wanted to know what DD was talking about, why print it out and bring it to her? Why not look it up herself? Hmm

Next issue came with the drip that was in DD’s hand, it was ripping the skin, physically pulling up the skin. She asked Midwife A if she could take it out or change it, to be told no nothing could be done. She’d just have to suck it up. An hour after she was told this another midwife came in, Midwife B, she begged midwife B to take it out and showed her what it was doing to her hand. Midwife B promptly took it out stating that there was no problem. Midwife A came back for her checks, asked DD what happened to the drop. DD explained that midwife B took it out, midwife A mumbled something about how that couldn’t be right and she’d have to check that ‘story’ right away. Hmm

DD is still vulnerable after birth, can’t move yet because of the catheter and has to be changed by this woman who she feels uncomfortable with and intimidated by. This woman has to handle her naked, change her sheets and I feel from what she’s saying it’s making her MH worse. She says she feels like Midwife A is talking about her with the other midwife (not B) on duty who she seems friendly with, shared looks, little smirks, off comments.

The looks and such could be DD’s dislike for this midwife raring up. But the rest, is this normal! I feel like she’s over stepped the mark and made my child feel low because of her age and choices. Should we ignore this?

OP posts:
SistineScreamer · 05/07/2020 22:14

Abbazed, she realises she shouldn't have cursed but ffs another lecture and this time back up just to ram her point. I've made this point to ward sister. Currently writing more.

OP posts:
OhTheRoses · 05/07/2020 22:16

Abbazed How shocking you learnt at s tool to smile sweetly and do as you were told with no explanation of the evidence based research behind advice. I am so sorry.

I went to a school that taught me to smile sweetly and ask questions nicely. "Oh, why is cotton wool and water better than 100% water wipes, how fascinating.

When a shit community midwife asked about sex when the baby was three days old and refused to desist when asked, to the point of taking her left elbow in her right hand and waving her forearm about with "if you don't do the exercises your man will say the sex feels like this" she was tersely told I had a husband and asked to leave.

Abbazed · 05/07/2020 22:16

Please tread lightly. My first degree was Social Policy and we studied a lot of Social Work modules. They can take babies for suspicion of intended harm not actual.

PanamaPattie · 05/07/2020 22:16

I'm glad the midwife was told to fuck off. I wish more women would do this.

Abbazed · 05/07/2020 22:18

I prefer a quiet life. Paying lipservice didn't put me in danger and it was just dotty not harmful. I just want OP's daughter to go home with her baby.

SistineScreamer · 05/07/2020 22:18

Abbazed, how though did you only take that from everything? She has been constantly pushed and berated? She's only human.

OP posts:
ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble · 05/07/2020 22:18

What a complete shitshow. That woman should not be anywhere near DD or her baby until the end of her hospital stay.

She's a bully and a dick, and your DD deserves better. Please complain and advocate for her. I can't see the situation improving if she continues to be in your daughter's presence.

Even if she was an absolute saint and the epitome of professionalism , the trust is gone and your DD feels vulnerable and aggravated in her presence.

Abbazed · 05/07/2020 22:18

She said F off. Hell thats not good.

GlendaSugarbeanIsJudgingYou · 05/07/2020 22:18

@Abbazed

Op she's being rude to staff. If your daughter isn't more cooperative then they will involve the social.
Excuse me?

Rude to staff? No.

She snapped under the pressure the staff were unduly and unprofessionally putting on her even after she had asked them to stop.

Abbazed · 05/07/2020 22:19

Could she sign out?

Abbazed · 05/07/2020 22:19

Saying F off will go against her.

FelicityPike · 05/07/2020 22:20

@SistineScreamer

Abbazed, she realises she shouldn't have cursed but ffs another lecture and this time back up just to ram her point. I've made this point to ward sister. Currently writing more.
I would’ve cursed too! How DARE she?
Abbazed · 05/07/2020 22:20

I agree mw been a cow. She doesn't deserve that. I hope everything is sorted out

SunshineCake · 05/07/2020 22:22

@Abbazed

Saying F off will go against her.
And let's hope the bullying goes against the midwife.
EnlightenedOwl · 05/07/2020 22:26

They are going to collude with each other get their stories straight then bring in social services

OhTheRoses · 05/07/2020 22:26

@Abbazed if a midwife had been so rude to me I 'd have ordered her out. The OP's dd's partner witnessed all of this.

If you really do have a social care/services background you should be aware of provocation.

I don't just agree with nurses / midwives for a quiet life. Why would I? What should I be scared of in the absence of a court order?

Midwife A is a nasty bully who was asked to back off and refused. I wonder if she'd have conducted herself like that on a public ward and with people who weren't vulnerable.

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 05/07/2020 22:28

Definitely complain. I'm another one who struggled with breastfeeding post sexual assault and I will never forgive or forget the cow of a midwife who told me "shouldn't have got pregnant if you weren't over being raped"...I thought I was over it.

I ended up with postpartum psychosis and I think certain staff members didn't help.

Nicole0896 · 05/07/2020 22:29

I'm so sorry to read about what has happen with your DD, my partner also has MH issues and struggled when I was in hospital and we had a midwife who treated him bad (not as bad as your DD).
I hope you can complain and make sure they realise how much this is effecting your DD. She should be supported and not bullied when she has just given birth.
Yes your DD should not or cursed but by the sounds of it what else could she of said to get the women out of her room.
I really feel for your DD and I hope you get everything sorted and her and the baby home shortly.

bythehairsonmychinichinchin · 05/07/2020 22:29

They will only get social services involved if there are concerns about DDs mental health as it will be a safeguarding issue. The mental health team will be contacted in the first instance, then social services if they have concerns.

EnlightenedOwl · 05/07/2020 22:31

[quote OhTheRoses]@Abbazed if a midwife had been so rude to me I 'd have ordered her out. The OP's dd's partner witnessed all of this.

If you really do have a social care/services background you should be aware of provocation.

I don't just agree with nurses / midwives for a quiet life. Why would I? What should I be scared of in the absence of a court order?

Midwife A is a nasty bully who was asked to back off and refused. I wonder if she'd have conducted herself like that on a public ward and with people who weren't vulnerable.[/quote]
Definitely this a bullying midwife with a victim in a side room away from public view, restricted visits, fair game . I can 100 per cent see where this is heading

EnlightenedOwl · 05/07/2020 22:32

@bythehairsonmychinichinchin

They will only get social services involved if there are concerns about DDs mental health as it will be a safeguarding issue. The mental health team will be contacted in the first instance, then social services if they have concerns.
They are going to do that all right they will just be getting their stories straight first
Island35 · 05/07/2020 22:34

OP a good midwife will support your daughter and her feeding choices. Regarding the cannula and catheter, I had these and it seemed there weren't any agreements amongst the many medical staff I spoke to.

The bib, wipes and perfect prep were perhaps meant well but in a poor manner. Personal opinion conflicting with official NHS advice in places!

If your daughter feels she has been mishandled she can speak to the sister on duty or ward manager.

LuvSmallDogs · 05/07/2020 22:36

If there really is a system in place where saying "fuck off" to someone who isn't your child is meant to "go against you" with the hallowed social services, maybe the demonised "underclass" are actually right about them being child snatchers, eh?

OP, I don't live in the UK, but I know we have a charity that weighs in on postnatal care/advocates for mothers/puts mums who have had traumatic births or hospital stays in touch with counsellors, maybe try looking for one in your area?

Does your DD have a mental health nurse or someone she regularly touches base with? Here I know my bipolar friends both have a nurse who comes to see them/takes them for coffee and for one of them spoke to a MW about her crazy dreams/intrusive thoughts being normal for her and not a sign of postpartum psychosis.

I think the way your daughter is being treated is appalling, it always seems to be the first/only baby that this happens with (the nasty ones maybe don't fancy going against an experienced mother), it was my first I had cold, horrid MWs with and as they destroyed my trust I didn't allow them to check my stitches or confide about auditory hallucinations of my baby crying when he was asleep and other early signs of PND...

Could your daughter or her DP take note of MW names, dates and times of comments and exactly what was said? These women are damaging your daughter's confidence and early bonding time with her baby, they are awful, awful people.

xmummy2princesx · 05/07/2020 22:37

Deffo complain this is awful

SnackSizeRaisin · 05/07/2020 22:37

This does sound bizarre. I am not sure I believe the latest update. Most women bottle feed. Why on earth would 2 midwives waste their time on this once the mother has made their decision? Are you accusing both of these midwives of purposely trying to rile your daughter? It seems more likely that she has been verbally abusive already and the second midwife has gone in as a witness.

I think you need to get your daughter out asap before things get out of hand.

Secondly, they will not put a baby into care just because a mother swears at a midwife. A friend was sacked from the army for swearing at a barmaid - at no point did anyone consider that his children might be removed.

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