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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:
TJ17 · 05/07/2020 19:13

Oh just read your update 🤦🏼‍♀️

MW has basically repeatedly goaded somebody until she has snapped (knowing she has MH issues and has just given birth!) and now is blaming her! Sounds like a huge narcissist!
I would definitely complain about the midwife now as it's gone too far...

AncientRainbowABC · 05/07/2020 19:14

OP, haven’t RTFT but just wanted to say that I was a mid-30s woman in similar circumstances this time last year and I was treated similarly. MH issues noted in file, separate room partly for that reason, ELCS and formula feeding by chi is and there were a couple of MWs who were very much like this. Plenty of patronising superiority without even trying to underhand either the situation or my background. I was distraught.

Someone once said to me that having a baby is like having a layer of skin removed. It was certainly that for me early on. Everything was overwhelming. But as PPs have said caregivers should be aware, especially where this is noted.

In my case, DH eventually had a word. I was very much against it as already felt vulnerable, but I am glad he did, because things did change and even 24 hours of that treatment left me second guessing myself for weeks after, more so than a FTM already would. I literally had these MWs’ words ringing in my ears for a bit and was so upset by it.

I don’t think it’s personal or even age related. I think some are just brusk and uncaring. That’s not to say it is right, not at all, and I would raise it. Just maybe try not to feel you’ve been signed out for whatever is in the past. I think it’s more that they take no care to notice anything sometimes unfortunately. It’s a “type” that needs to do better.

All the very best to you and your DD. You sound lovely and so does she.

CardsforKittens · 05/07/2020 19:15

Yes, complain - I think putting pressure on your daughter to breast feed is absolutely awful, especially given her mental health issues (and I’m generally very pro-breastfeeding).

I’ve had three children in high risk pregnancies and have met a great many midwives, most of whom were lovely. But there was one, when my first was born, who was very rude and dismissive. It was 20 years ago and I still remember how I felt. I wish I’d complained.

Pinkflipflop85 · 05/07/2020 19:15

You need to speak to the PMA on duty and make it very clear that midwife A is to have nothing more to do with your daughter. Then complain to PALS.

I had a horrendous experience with one midwife when I had my first, but we did the above and she didn't come in my room again.

Ignore the people scaremongering about social services. My mental health was absolutely down the pan when I was in hospital with my first. The psychiatric consultant considered keeping me in hospital for longer than the week I had already been in. Thankfully I convinced him to let me go home as the hospital was exacerbating my problems. I was discharged to the crisis team at home. Social services were called as part of the procedure. All I had was a 5 minute phone call to check I was happy with the support I had been given and I never heard from them again.

back2good · 05/07/2020 19:16

The midwife is being a bully. I've seen it before. Strangely high number of midwives are based on stories I've heard!

Complain about her. Formally if nothing is altered.

AncientRainbowABC · 05/07/2020 19:18

Oh the ongoing BF pressure is awful and so unfair, also damaging. Definitely complain.

Ilovethemapples · 05/07/2020 19:19

@SistineScreamer

I love, how is snatching a baby out of its mother's arms normal? How is throwing away her property normal? How is lecturing an abuse victim about BFing normal? She begged the bloody woman to STOP because she knew the benefits of BFing but couldn't do it.
SistineScreamer, you were not there or were you? did you see the midwife 'snatching' the baby off your daughter's arms?; after labour and delivery women are exhausted and hypersensitive and she may have felt a lot of it was harsher than it actually happened. Her history of abuse (I'm sorry to hear that) has nothing to do with being given advice about breastfeeding; how can the midwife assume that your daughter doesn't want to bf because of her previous abuse. A lot of abused women breastfeed their children.
Areyouactuallyseriousrightnow · 05/07/2020 19:19

@Billyjoearmstrong
That is wonderful, but unfortunately not all staff in healthcare roles have your patience, unfortunate but very much true.
I was not condoning the midwife’s unsympathetic manner, I was advising the OP that the midwife’s brusqueness was not likely to be personally intended toward her daughter (as she suspected) and more likely to reflect a stressed overworked and impatient member of staff.

ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble · 05/07/2020 19:20

Oh OP I can't believe it has come to this. I hope your DD and baby are ok. Help her complain and either contact PALS or the head nurse. Your DD needs to be cared for by somebody else. Make sure you ask if the catheter is still needed too. Good luck.

Hamsterriffic · 05/07/2020 19:20

Good luck OP, hope your daughter is ok. Get in there and advocate for her if she needs it

Tyjaro75 · 05/07/2020 19:20

Hi. I was 40 when I was last in hospital giving birth and unfortunately I think there are just some jobs worth's. I don't think age is a factor for them.
I am not in anyway scared to speak up but I had this one neonatal nurse who just spoke down to me all the time. I had already had a child before but she spoke to me like I had no idea what I was doing.
She really pissed me off when she commented on having a handy shelf ( still massive tummy) to rest my child on when I breastfed!!
Literally the last straw so I complained about her and she was not allowed near me again!!
If I was you, I would definitely speak to the most senior midwife and ensure that your daughter doesn't have to put up with her shit again. She's probably hormonal, feeling vulnerable and that's the last thing she needs right now.
Congratulations by the way.

Socialdistancegintonic · 05/07/2020 19:21

I hate to say it, but I do think many midwives have a very rigid set of rules - they push breastfeeding no matter what, and have their own ‘opinions’ such as water wipes/cotton buds which are not evidence based. I’ve not had a great experience. I feel bad as I have two friends who are excellent midwives, however too many are just not great. I wonder if it is their training? Too many seem to have very hard and fixed rules.

It is absolutely not on to ram the breastfeeding ‘talk’ down new mother’s throats. I had this and my child was actually not getting enough nutrients and I was very ill - I needed to have a break from breastfeeding - and I was bullied and told ‘that was it’ and I would be ruining my childs’ chances etc... very dangerous advice actually. Me and my baby were quite ill and needed sleep, rest, nutrition and no stress.

I’ve had other experiences too which have made me extremely cross about midwives! So yes, put in a complaint. It’s fine the midwife won’t get disciplined it would add to valuable feedback for how she treats new others in the future and will help her and others.

Luaa · 05/07/2020 19:22

I think though however overworked or stressed you are, when you reach the point that you can't treat a woman in her most vulnerable state with compassion, it's time to leave your job and find one that doesn't require a caring and considerate person.

I hope your dd is ok op.

CardsforKittens · 05/07/2020 19:22

Ah, just saw your update because I type slow. How awful for your daughter. Give them hell!

C8H10N4O2 · 05/07/2020 19:24

how can the midwife assume that your daughter doesn't want to bf because of her previous abuse

Because its in her notes.

ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble · 05/07/2020 19:24

@Ilovethemapples

One would presume that an educated,professional midwife would understand the meaning of the word no. With experience there should also be some understanding of "private reasons".

Regardless, OP's DD has said repeatedly she doesn't want to BF, she said she has reasons for not wanting to and asked her to stop.

There's no professional obligation to harass new mothers into breastfeeding. Or mandatory spiels that have to be repeated again and again.

TJ17 · 05/07/2020 19:26

@C8H10N4O2

how can the midwife assume that your daughter doesn't want to bf because of her previous abuse

Because its in her notes.

Does it matter what the reason is anyway?

If she doesn't want to BF for whatever reason she doesn't have to! The MW has repeatedly lectured her about it despite her clearly stating she doesn't want to do it.

She doesn't need to know the reason.

If a person wants sex with you and you say no, the no is enough. You don't have to explain why

TJ17 · 05/07/2020 19:26

@C8H10N4O2

how can the midwife assume that your daughter doesn't want to bf because of her previous abuse

Because its in her notes.

Does it matter what the reason is anyway?

If she doesn't want to BF for whatever reason she doesn't have to! The MW has repeatedly lectured her about it despite her clearly stating she doesn't want to do it.

She doesn't need to know the reason.

If a person wants sex with you and you say no, the no is enough. You don't have to explain why

Yankathebear · 05/07/2020 19:26

The midwife isn’t a mind reader.
Go calmly and speak with them if your DD wishes, don’t go in all guns blazing. The midwives aren’t the enemy.

Areyouactuallyseriousrightnow · 05/07/2020 19:26

@Luaa yes, this is what has been happening in midwifery for some time, further exacerbating the staffing crisis, it’s very depressing.

Hope your daughter is ok OP.

ZombieLizzieBennet · 05/07/2020 19:30

It doesn't matter what her reason is, of course, but it's also really egregious that a midwife either didn't know or didn't care that previous experience of abuse is a common reason for not wanting to breastfeed. It should be a pretty basic tenet of midwifery that women are vulnerable when they've just given birth, that a substantial minority of women have suffered abuse and that this sometimes affects birth and feeding decisions.

Princessamy2010 · 05/07/2020 19:30

The thing is they do need to be careful it wasnt long ago that lady whom had mh issues walked out of hosp with her baby :(

Your daughter is not young at 24 that's quite an average age.

I think your daughter prob just does not get on with the midwife what hospital is she at?

When I had my 1st in sheffield they talked about breast feeding all time. Rotherham did not care and were fab tbh. Is she in Sheffield? She may have post natal psychosis and if they do not feel she is safe they will ring social services so u need to step in and advise u can move in if needed.
Hope she ok

helterskelter3 · 05/07/2020 19:30

She wouldn’t have done that to an older or less vulnerable mother. She sounds like she’s throwing her weight around and she has no right to throw your daughter’s property away.

Frozenfrogs86 · 05/07/2020 19:30

Oh my gosh. Read your update. Escalate this quickly and make an official complaint. I won’t go into the terrible behaviour I’ve had from midwives but suffice to say that even as a professional woman in my thirties I get flashbacks going near our hospital. A minority are abusive in my experience. Complain. Absolutely don’t let it get written in her notes that she became “hysterical”. Your DD “became distressed after being verbally abused repeatedly by a member of staff and the member of staff was removed from caring from her pending further investigation”.

Badassmama · 05/07/2020 19:31

Absolutely put in a complaint, this nurse needs to understand how her behaviour is effecting people.

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