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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:
yellowsunset · 05/07/2020 19:59

Definitely complain. Terrible how she treated a vulnerable woman.

PerfectPenquins · 05/07/2020 19:59

What a bullying bitch! She needs to find a job well away from anyone in a vulnerable position. She can flipping well reimburse for the wipes she somehow decided she had the right to bin wtf? She needs to be kept away from your daughter and the senior staff need to step in here. Do not leave your daughters side and watch how they care for her.

monotata · 05/07/2020 20:03

I'd like to complain or at least talk to someone. DD doesn't want to be around this woman.

Op your daughter is a fully grown woman. You can’t phone the ward. If she’s not happy then she speaks up for herself.

FelicityPike · 05/07/2020 20:05

@monotata

I'd like to complain or at least talk to someone. DD doesn't want to be around this woman.

Op your daughter is a fully grown woman. You can’t phone the ward. If she’s not happy then she speaks up for herself.

Exactly.
Brefugee · 05/07/2020 20:05

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 midwife presumably has done her job and knows about the OP's DD's poor mental health. She has said that she doesn't want to BF and it's in her note. A mw would be a pretty shitty person to keep harping on about bf under those circs. The way to handle someone (however whiny and undeserving of kindness you think they are) who is in pain (real or imagined) from a canula is to say: Let me see to that and fix it. Not "suck it up". And it really doesn't matter if that's not exactly what she said, that is how she came across.

etc etc.

Throwing away the wipes was a dick move. And if she has a problem with this bottle preparing system (that I've never heard of) then the best way to handle it would have been to check if it was the thing she thought it was, and then maybe say something like "it's not recommended by x organisation because of y problem, you might want to reconsider or research more" surely?

tbh if the new mum needs her meds (and it seems she probably does) then the best thing would be to support her decisions about bf and get her back on them asap.

It's a tough job and mw are thin on the ground. But they have been for at least the last 25-30 years so anyone going into that must know it already. Being overworked and understaffed in a job like that is par for the course, she should probably just suck it up.

Singinginshower · 05/07/2020 20:05

monotata
The OP's DD has mental health issues, she may need someone to advocate for her.

PerfectPenquins · 05/07/2020 20:08

monotata People require an advocate for many reasons throughout their lives but especially when so vulnerable. There is nothing wrong with that.

Maggie90 · 05/07/2020 20:12

@GrumpyHoonMain

And to all that are saying the midwife has not acted inappropriately, what the hell is wrong with you?

I’m not a midwife but I am a nurse and spent my first year training with midwives, we adhere to the same code of conduct and I can tell you with confidence that this midwife is WRONG!

You cannot take somebodies personal property and throw it in the bin, that is horrific! You can not just remove somebodies baby from their arms because you ‘know best’, and the undermining and patronising she is displaying is against all moral Nursing and midwifery codes we follow.

She is there to educate and provide care. She is not there to be a dictator. That is not what any health care professional should be doing!

I find it awful that you are supporting unkind care to a new and anxious mother!

PenelopePitstop49 · 05/07/2020 20:15

OP you're right to feel very mama bear here, she's your DD and she's vulnerable.

She's also been off her medication, has just given birth via major surgery, and she's probably exhausted with a body flooded full of hormones.

I'd go in and gently find out the whole story here, rather than going in all guns blazing.

TJ17 · 05/07/2020 20:15

@PerfectPenquins

monotata People require an advocate for many reasons throughout their lives but especially when so vulnerable. There is nothing wrong with that.
I agree! You don't just get to a certain age in life where you don't need support anymore! Not everyone is confident enough to speak up.

If somebody was being unfairly treated on a bus, maybe racially abused or something, would you just say oh they are an adult and look the other way?! Especially if it was your DD?!

TJ17 · 05/07/2020 20:16

@PerfectPenquins

monotata People require an advocate for many reasons throughout their lives but especially when so vulnerable. There is nothing wrong with that.
I agree! You don't just get to a certain age in life where you don't need support anymore! Not everyone is confident enough to speak up and even if you are it's always nice to have back up from others!

If somebody was being unfairly treated on a bus, maybe racially abused or something, would you just say oh they are an adult and look the other way?! Especially if it was your DD?!

TJ17 · 05/07/2020 20:16

@PerfectPenquins

monotata People require an advocate for many reasons throughout their lives but especially when so vulnerable. There is nothing wrong with that.
I agree! You don't just get to a certain age in life where you don't need support anymore! Not everyone is confident enough to speak up and even if you are it's always nice to have back up from others!

If somebody was being unfairly treated on a bus, maybe racially abused or something, would you just say oh they are an adult and look the other way?! Especially if it was your DD?!

bythehairsonmychinichinchin · 05/07/2020 20:16

OPs DD does sound like she needs an advocate. I’ll irritate we are only hearing DDs account of what has been happening, and it needs raising with the ward manager of Pals!

Saggydoll · 05/07/2020 20:17

I dont think u can do much, she has given all the correct advice really but i know what u mean cos ive had similr.. also had a phone appointment with one recently and i thought oh my god please dont be there when i give birth cos ur tone is so cold and condescending.. some people are not cut out to be a good midwife but what can u do.. it proper spoils it when u give birth and get one when u get one like that

OhTheRoses · 05/07/2020 20:17

@Brefugee in my experience many many midwives don't read notes and if they do don't have the intellect to interpret them. If the OP's dd needs her my medication that, with all due respect, is a decision to taken in conjunction with the patient by a doctor, possibly a psychiatrist, not a midwife. For all we know this old trout may be an HCA rather than a midwife in any event, which is absolutely why the op needs to be there.

My DC are 25 and 22 now. I have a stark recollection of the rough handed, vulgar behaviour of 50% of midwives I had to deal with postnatally. I was in my mid 30's and pro-active enough to refuse to deal with them when we was born.

TJ17 · 05/07/2020 20:18

Feel genuinely sorry for any people who would reach out to their parents in distress and be told deal with it yourself you're an adult 🤦🏼‍♀️

TJ17 · 05/07/2020 20:18

Feel genuinely sorry for any people who would reach out to their parents in distress and be told deal with it yourself you're an adult 🤦🏼‍♀️

darcie3 · 05/07/2020 20:19

I would complain 100%!

Someone1987 · 05/07/2020 20:20

I was 28 when I had my baby. My husband was my 'advocate' as I am so shy and have anxiety, I wouldn't have been able to ask for help. It's fine if you are confident, if you aren't it's terrifying, especially if staff think you're being rude cos you don't talk much, when it's actually nerves.
If my husband wasn't there, I would have walked out the door, in need of a blood transfusion, without my baby.

whiplashy · 05/07/2020 20:21

YABU, doesn’t sound like the midwife has been unreasonable. 2 sides to every story etc

Justjoshin22 · 05/07/2020 20:22

You are definitely not being unreasonable. Your poor girl. As someone said above, it’s not the individual actions, it’s the impact of them all combined and it’s the attitude. How dare that midwife.
It is possible that she hasn’t read your daughters notes but that’s not really the point.
Without naming the hospital, where are you based if you don’t mind me asking?
Finally, absolutely advocate for your daughter but also be aware the midwives will protect each other and close ranks so I’d go in cool and calm, record everything and then make a complaint.
Congrats to you and your daughter by the way!

GlendaSugarbeanIsJudgingYou · 05/07/2020 20:23

@monotata

I'd like to complain or at least talk to someone. DD doesn't want to be around this woman.

Op your daughter is a fully grown woman. You can’t phone the ward. If she’s not happy then she speaks up for herself.

Bullshit.

OP is part of her DD's support system.

Stepping in and speaking up for her is the absolute right thing to do here.

isabellerossignol · 05/07/2020 20:24

I can see from this thread that the idea that childbirth is a woman's punishment and should be as miserable as possible seems to alive and well.

Sceptre86 · 05/07/2020 20:27

I think you need to visit and advocate for your dd or give her the support to be able to challenge this behaviours herself. Having to big a big is a strangulation risk, explain and encourage your dd to put it away and give her an alternative to use. Yes cotton wool and water is recommended to clean baby but if the wipes were for her what difference does it make to the midwife? It doesn't take two minutes to explain your actions. Yes breastfeeding is better than formula but a balance needs to be achieved between that and what is best for mum too. I don't think she did anything wrong explaining the benefits but there should be no judgement. Sadly there often is and with regards to this your dd is going to have to develop a thicker skin.

I had several lovely midwives over the course of having my two babies. I did not breastfeed my ds whereas I persevered with my dd even though my milk was late to come in and not much ever came. When I had ds I was adamant I would not go through it again and was firm that I would not be trying and was happy with bottles. I felt some slight negativity with regards to that but I had a thicker skin second time around I stuck to my guns. It could have just been me being over sensitive who knows?

With my dd I still remember the midwife who huffed every time I asked her to change dd or pass her to me to feed during the first night she was born. I had a section and didn't get on the ward till 11pm at which point I was left with a baby, my dh and mum were told to leave and I had to beg for pain relief. I have never felt so low or experienced such undignified treatment. I then had another midwife come in at 8am and try to get me to shower, when I asked for help she refused and I explained that I was the last women on the ward to have had a section and that I couldn't shower without help so would be waiting for my dh to help me as soon as he got there. I know it is important to get women up and walking after a section and I was both times as soon as the catheter was removed but it is major abdominal surgery and when you are vulnerable and in pain it shouldn't be too much to ask to get pain relief other than shitty paracetamol and be treated with some dignity. I know midwives are overworked but if you lack compassion you shouldn't be in the job.

I feel for your dd as she will remember this treatment.

Sceptre86 · 05/07/2020 20:27

*bib

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