Changing midwife 26 weeks ?

[Highfivemum]

Bit of a dilemma and would like others advice please.
I am 26 weeks pregnant. Was a surprise as I am 45 and didn’t find out until 18 weeks but myself and my DH are happily married with DC and are happy. Had a booking to see midwife three weeks ago. She cancelled said she was busy with new mums. Rearranged for three days after then she cancelled again due to other work. Re arranged again for wednesday and when I got to the clinic came out and said sorry but she had a breast feeding lady who was struggling and as she knows I have had DC and am experienced I would understand missing the appointment. I came home and felt really upset. Yes I have DC but I am 45 and have concerns and would like to be checked over. I have known this midwife for 10 years and she was my midwife on three of my other DC so knows me and I got myself into a dizz thinking I am an easy cancellation for her. After speaking to my DH I called the surgery on Thursday and asked for a callback from her. I wanted to explain my concerns about not having a check up etc but when I did she said if you have any worries just make a GP appointment as you know what to look out for etc. I said about my age and as yet I hadn’t been seen by her and she said will make sure you will see me at the 30 week check she will book.
I came on the phone still feeling like I was being given the fob off.
would you change midwife’s. ? Is this now the norm with midwife’s dealing with mums of DC already. There is another surgery in the next village and I am thinking of changing. I have lost a bit of confidence . Any help thank you

Could you go to the connected local hospital instead? In my gp surgery if there was ever an issue with the midwife not being able to see me I was sent to the local midwife led birth centre and had my appointment there instead.

May be an option instead of moving surgeries?

Thank you. I will most definitely be calling Doctors on Monday. Feel a bit of a fool really to have allowed this to happen and should have put my foot down sooner.
No not had the NIPT test as not seen a midwife /consultant yet. The only person I saw was my initial appointment with doctor when I didn’t know I was pregnant. Although you can have it done throughout pregnancy at 26 weeks now I think whatever the outcome of it if I had it done I would continue with it.
I will mention aspirin too to the Doctor as I have had pre- eclampsia before with my first DC.
Thank you all for giving me the nudge I needed. Little one is kicking like crazy at the moment and that gives me reassurance but I do need to be monitored.

That's shocking. I'm 41, second pregnancy and having extra midwife appointments because of my age. I don't always see the same midwife but whenever I'm booked in I do see someone. I would definitely take this further.

This is dreadful 'care'. To have not had a booking appointment yet is actually abysmal. You should have been given a thorough assessment of your history, for things like DVT risk, diabetes risk, fetal growth etc. You should have been categorised as consultant led care based on your age and previous pre-eclampsia. You likely should have been offered aspirin and possibly clexane prophylaxis. You should have had booking bloods taken and a height and weight. Has none of this been done?

I would contact the hospital urgently where you wish to birth your baby and explain what has happened / not happened. You need a 28 week appointment to be organised (not 30 week!).

I also would advise contacting PALs regarding the midwife. She has completely disregarded your needs, putting you and your baby at risk. There is no possible justification for this.

Good luck OP, please let us know how you get on.

And congratulations!

This doesn’t sound normal at all?? Is this in the UK? If your 26 weeks then you would be a priority for an urgent booking appointment, if your usual midwife couldn’t do it she would be arranging an appointment asap with one of her colleagues. The fact you’ve had children before is irrelevant, being 45 should make you even more of a priority as you need referring for consultant led care and grow to scans from 28 weeks, gestational diabetes screening by 28 weeks etc

Don't feel like a fool, you've been badly let down and that isn't your fault.

You might google if you have a local community midwife hub or community team phone number, they should be open at the weekend. Echoing the above that you should be seen urgently.

My best guess is she doesn't know you aren't even booked.

You need to make this very clear.

Yes definitely sounds like some misunderstanding somewhere, she must either think your already booked or much earlier in your pregnancy