AIBU to feel a bit let down..

[alwaystiredlol]

I know this might be controversial but I'm feeling really let down by my midwife and the hospital regarding my maternity care.

I had an appointment booked today for a sweep and hadn't had an appointment since I was 36 weeks (I'm 40+4 now) and rang up to ask a question only to be told that my midwife has covid and the appointment was cancelled.. I was not informed of the cancellation and I haven't even been given another date for another appointment. The covering midwife told me she would ring the hospital to see if I could get a sweep done there but I haven't heard anything back, I'm very grateful she has said she would do this but I've not got much hope that it will get done.

I had reduced movements over the weekend and called triage at the hospital who told me I'd get turned away if I came in as they're too busy and I'd need to travel to another hospital (the nearest one apart from that one is 2 hours away) luckily I got some movement after moving around and prodding my stomach constantly so didn't need to go in, we was told to call the triage line back when I had some movements and we tried 12 times but kept getting a message saying to call back later.

AIBU to feel a bit like I've been forgotten about?

I know midwives are under a lot at the moment so don't want to sound like I am slaying them as I am not, was just wondering has anyone had this before?? Thanks

Of course YANBU! I hope you and your baby are now fine and wish ye both all the best OP!

@2Gen

Of course YANBU! I hope you and your baby are now fine and wish ye both all the best OP!

Thank you, just been told if I haven't had baby by the weekend they're gonna call me to book in a sweep for Monday, by then I'll be 41+4 so not sure how long they'll let me go!

Maternity services have been operating at unsafe levels for some time now, and not just because of covid. You're not unreasonable to expect a functioning health service.

@CorrBlimeyGG

Maternity services have been operating at unsafe levels for some time now, and not just because of covid. You're not unreasonable to expect a functioning health service.

I think covid is always used as an excuse for things not to be working as they should I've noticed over the last 2 years this has definitely happened, my blood tests got lost 4 times and I only found out I had dangerously low iron and I needed anti D over half way through my pregnancy it just makes me very worried for all future mothers.

YANBU it’s horrible going over due date and feeling uncomfortable and wanting a sweep! I would be very upset

Honestly op, it's not the fault of the midwife or the hospital, it's all down to terrible management at the highest level and lack of government funding.

So many midwives have left the profession in the last 2 years because of stress, understaffing and no work life balance. I friend of mine manages a large midwifery unit and they have dangerously low staffing levels, causing more midwives to leave/go off with stress.

It's honestly not the fault of the people you're speaking to at the hospital or the midwives. They're as upset about the lack of staffing and funding as the patients. It's awful.

YANBU OP. I had a horrific time with my community midwife - due to her incompetence, not anything covid or stag shortage related, later confirmed by the lead midwife - during both my pregnancies.

Please do consider making a complaint. Your lack of care is scary. Luckily you finally felt movements but some women. The people who need support can't get it until it's proven the hospital is operating dangerously. Complaints are actually encouraged by those trying to work through it.

Hopefully you'll go into labour before the sweep!
Mine just didn't bother turning up to the appointment she'd insisted on during my first pregnancy. Luckily I went into labour that night anyway.

On MN posters always say to go in if you have reduced movements because they would rather see you/better safe than sorry.
Every time I went in for reduced movements with DD (2017 so no covid) I was treated like the scum of the earth for wasting their time. I had prenatal anxiety which was worsened by their attitude if I did go in. I went for times so I guess frequently but not every week!
My community midwife made lots of promises of help from the mental health times but nothing ever came up of that so I also felt let down.

@ElliotGoss

On MN posters always say to go in if you have reduced movements because they would rather see you/better safe than sorry. Every time I went in for reduced movements with DD (2017 so no covid) I was treated like the scum of the earth for wasting their time. I had prenatal anxiety which was worsened by their attitude if I did go in. I went for times so I guess frequently but not every week! My community midwife made lots of promises of help from the mental health times but nothing ever came up of that so I also felt let down.

I had to go in for growth scans as baby was measuring over a month behind and I was treated awfully by the hospital, they said the community midwife was wasting their time!

You’re not unreasonable. Actually, I had fantastic NHS antenatal care. I had to have every test going and they were wonderful, but the horror stories about crammed sweaty postnatal wards, slammed midwives and understaffing led to my decision to have a planned, private CS.