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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:
babychange12 · 05/07/2020 19:32

I'm just amazed that the midwife is giving her so much attention. After I had my baby, the midwives just ignored us!

I would complain if I was your daughter though if I was treated like that

Snaketime · 05/07/2020 19:33

I honestly dont think the midwife is being rude because of your DD's age, MH or marital status tbh OP. I had 2 terrible midwives over my 2 pregnancies.
With my first the midwife wanted to send me home saying it would be ages yet, even though I had gestational diabetes and need to be monitored from first contractions (my DD was born 5 hours later and if I had have gone home and gone back at the point they said I should, I wouldn't have made it back to hospital), when I told her I needed to push she walked out of the room and just said "no you don't) as she left, luckily another midwife walked in as I shouted at my DH to get her back who checked me and my DD was crowning, then seconds after I had given birth she said "I thought we were going to have trouble with you".
With my second I had an induction and the midwife I had refused me any pain meds stronger than paracetamol even for internal exams, saying I wasn't allowed any, this included whilst having the necessary inserted and tucked under my DS's head, when I had the pessary removed they couldn't find it and I asked if I could have gas and air whilst they were doing it as I was in excruciating pain and they said "of course you can we have it on tap" and gave it me.
Some midwives just see it as you making a fuss and that only their opinions matter because they are trained.

ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble · 05/07/2020 19:35

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

What does that have to do with lectures about breastfeeding and throwing OP's DD wipes (that she wanted to use for herself) away?

Or ignoring a painful drip?

Ristar · 05/07/2020 19:35

Are you able to go down there? Go in and calmly ask to speak to the senior midwife on shift, find out what their side is and then politely but firmly request a different midwife.

See if your daughter can have her catheter out and get into her own nightie or whatever, I felt loads better once I'd had this done.

Maybe research the local complaints procedure and do it formally once she's out of hospital if doing it now will be too stressful.

Good luck and congratulations on new baby grandchild.

mommybear1 · 05/07/2020 19:36

Complain Op can you go up due to COVID I'm not sure what the restrictions are. I had hateful midwives I was nearly 40 when I gave birth for the first time but I was bloody vulnerable (emergency cs/premie/horrendous delivery and baby in NiCU) however I was also able to stand my ground and given your DD's mh issues I think you'll need to do this for her. I have found hospital midwives think they know best regardless of the Mother's personal preference. Wishing you all the best Thankscongratulations on the safe arrival.

Brefugee · 05/07/2020 19:37

If a midwife or any other HCP told me to suck up something that was hurting me I'd be going right over their head - not their boss, their bosses boss.

Women's pain should be taken seriously and a bloody midwife saying that kind of shit is not on.

As for the rest: how about talking to a new mother like a person and not be a condescending ol' witch?

EnlightenedOwl · 05/07/2020 19:38

If you are not allowed to see your daughter you do need to make a call.

C8H10N4O2 · 05/07/2020 19:38

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

Oh I agree. But her history being in her notes makes it even less excusable.

Snaketime · 05/07/2020 19:39

Sorry OP have just seen you last update, that is disgusting, definitely put in a complaint. Hope your DD is ok.

PanamaPattie · 05/07/2020 19:40

This midwife is definitely upping her game. I’m glad you are going to see your DD.

The poster that said that midwives are not the enemy - you have had a lucky escape as each and every one that I have had the misfortune to engage with have most definitely been the enemy. Horrible, unkind, cruel and patronising. Men and women that seem to take great pleasure in tormenting vulnerable women. Hideous creatures.

Louiselouie0890 · 05/07/2020 19:40

Doesnt matter what happened. Any woman is in such an unbelievable vulnerable state after birth and if the patient feels that way then something should be done. Even if the case be just a midwife doing her job and coming across wrong, she should be made aware and adjust her way of dealing with said patient. Not that the midwife sounds like she's "just doing her job". Every time someone went to even touch my baby they always asked or made me aware first.

Sounds like she has 0 empathy and bedside manner and needs retraining

EnlightenedOwl · 05/07/2020 19:42

@PanamaPattie

This midwife is definitely upping her game. I’m glad you are going to see your DD.

The poster that said that midwives are not the enemy - you have had a lucky escape as each and every one that I have had the misfortune to engage with have most definitely been the enemy. Horrible, unkind, cruel and patronising. Men and women that seem to take great pleasure in tormenting vulnerable women. Hideous creatures.

I'm really worried she's going to bring in social services.
bythehairsonmychinichinchin · 05/07/2020 19:43

Ask her to report her concerns to PALS the contact details will be on the hospitals website.

Re the catheter it should be taken out 6-12 hours after the c-section unless there’s been complications and her fluid intake and output needs measuring.

If she had no complications she should be out of bed and the cannula can be removed once fluids have been discontinued and any blood test results have come back ok.

The NHS, unicef baby friendly initiative and the department of health doesn’t recommend the prefect prep machine and recommends that baby formula bottles are made fresh for each feed using fresh boiling water from a kettle so the temperature is at least 70oc.

Badassmama · 05/07/2020 19:44

It’s great that you’ve made this thread as you have a written, time stamped confirmation of your daughter communicating the initial issues with you prior to her calling your daughter hysterical - you can show this to her supervisor and put in a serious complaint.

ScrimpshawTheSecond · 05/07/2020 19:45

OP, no time to read the full thread, but I'm sorry to hear about this. Can she get discharged asap? I found all the hospital staff for my 1st birth were utterly awful. Compounded a traumatic birth and certainly didn't help PND.

Women post-birth need very gentle treatment, the midwife sounds rude and abrasive.

Flowers
GrumpyHoonMain · 05/07/2020 19:47

I don’t think the midwife has done anything wrong here. Honestly do you think her not taking her meds has caused this? If she’s not going to breastfeed might be a good idea to get her on them asap as it all sounds like paranoia. Also, if she has a private room, why aren’t you able to stay with her (or insist on it). A friend gave birth this morning and will stay a week in a private room due to complications with her - her mum is able to stay with her on the chair.

OhTheRoses · 05/07/2020 19:48

Don't be persuaded to leave the hospital tonight and insist on speaking to the person who is presently in charge of the hospital.

SnackSizeRaisin · 05/07/2020 19:49

The midwife sounds pretty rude but I doubt she is targeting your daughter. She's probably horrible to everyone. On the other hand your daughter is probably a bit over sensitive due to the situation. I would avoid making things worse by telling her she is being targeted. She will be out soon enough and they won't remove a baby just because she shouted at a midwife. Can you phone up and say that your daughter is upset and can you be with her to calm her down? Don't go in all guns blazing. Your job now is to shield your daughter from further distress. Plenty of time to make a complain t once she is out.
By the way the midwives don't have access to full medical notes, it will just be a brief summary of the pregnancy. So it's unlikely they will know the details about the MH and abuse unless it came up as an issue for the pregnancy. Not that that is any reason to be rude obviously.

ComeOnBabyPopMyBubble · 05/07/2020 19:50

@GrumpyHoonMain

I don’t think the midwife has done anything wrong here. Honestly do you think her not taking her meds has caused this? If she’s not going to breastfeed might be a good idea to get her on them asap as it all sounds like paranoia. Also, if she has a private room, why aren’t you able to stay with her (or insist on it). A friend gave birth this morning and will stay a week in a private room due to complications with her - her mum is able to stay with her on the chair.
How is it paranoid to not want to be preached about something you said not to, be upset that you had your toileting items thrown away or not want to be left in pain with a wonky cannula?
slipperywhensparticus · 05/07/2020 19:51

Her treatment is awful its an issue in this country

bythehairsonmychinichinchin · 05/07/2020 19:52

The problem is we only have OPs DDs account of events, if she suffers from poor mental health it could be declining due to being tired, in pain and on medication. The correct route is to go via Pals to raise concerns or speak to the ward manager to raise the concerns

bythehairsonmychinichinchin · 05/07/2020 19:53

Also if it’s not logged as a complaint things can’t be investigated and things won’t change. Please report your concerns

foreverandalways · 05/07/2020 19:54

I would be making my way straight down to the ward and airing my views to the midwife for upsetting my daughter if I were you....not acceptable 😡

MrsNoah2020 · 05/07/2020 19:56

YANBU. A lot of this is about attitude and manner, as well as what the MW actually did. So, with the bib, for example, she could have said, "What a cute bib. It's a bit on the big side at the moment - we need to be careful about them getting wrapped around the neck. Have you got a smaller one for now and you can save this one till your baby's a bit bigger".

Same core message, but without your DD being made to feel like shit.

RedHelenB · 05/07/2020 19:57

Hope it gets sorted. Who was with your dd during the birth?

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