To think midwife should not have cancelled a routine appointment

[KittyWitty]

I had visual disturbances yesterday, followed the advice on my maternity notes and called the hospital. I was advised to attend the Maternity Triage service at my hospital. They were absolutely awful, I wasn’t triaged until I’d been there almost an hour (despite the advised maximum wait time for potential pre-eclampsia being 15 minutes) as the midwife admitted she’d forgotten I’d arrived despite being on the board. She then couldn’t get my bloods and repeatedly tried until I almost passed out and then told me I was dying of difficult. Went on about paracetamol (despite me not being in pain at the time) and sent me back to a waiting room. I was then seen by a phlebotomist who managed to get my bloods first time and commenced 3 hours of waiting. In this time, I did develop a horrible headache as well as pain from sitting on the hard chairs (I have an overactive pelvic floor and am working with a physio) and just felt drained. I ended up asking if I could just go home and them phone with the blood results, as I was in tears at this point and feeling horrendous. I ended up walking out of the hospital in tears.

I then got a text message from my usual midwife to say that she’d seen I’d attended hospital, so had cancelled the routine appointment I should have had with her today. Also, she’s booked me in to see a different midwife in 3 weeks for my next appointment as she is on holiday. But the time is totally unsuitable that she’s booked because my work hours have had to change due to my pelvic floor issues(which she wouldn’t know because she hasn’t seen me since my last 3 physio appointments).

I haven’t had fundal height measured since 24 weeks (28 now), nobody’s checked in about my mental health (it’s crap, I’ve lost 6 pregnancies before this one and am so anxious I cry myself to sleep at night), no conversations about birth plan yet (I have a low lying placenta and the overactive pelvic floor which may require a c section).

Is it unreasonable to think emergency care shouldn’t be replacing my routine antenatal care?

Can you not just reply and say no, the hospital didn't help and I would still like my routine appointment with you?

Oh OP I'm so sorry :( I guess the midwife assumed that all the usual checks she'd do had been done by the hospital

Can you tell her that's not the case or go back to the hospital today?

She sent the text from a non-reply number and their phone won’t open this morning until my appointment time! So no chance for me to say that I’m not happy about it all.

I would definitely go back and note you have other things you want covering so cancelling the appointment isn't appropriate. What a total pain for you, it sounds like a horrid weekend all round, and then having to push back afterwards isn't what you need at all.

First of all did you get the blood results and have you got pre eclampsia? Go back to the hospital if this isn’t cleared up.

The midwife probably thought that you’d had checks at the hospital and so didn’t want to duplicate. Phone when they open so they can re-book you for this week. Re your next appointment, it is reasonable that the midwife booked you with her colleague if she’s on holiday. Your work has to give you time off for antenatal appointments.

Is there a way to leave a voice message? Email?

I'd just turn up for the appointment, when they say it's cancelled ask for an urgent reschedule.

@Zonder Nope, no way to get in contact other than phone, which says not to leave voicemails as they can’t access them. I start work before they open too and am in a school, so I can access emails and internet, but not my phone, while I have students with me. So won’t be able to call until lunch. I have asked my husband to try and call them though, hopefully they will speak to him.

Hope that you and baby are okay!

I think she would assume that everything she would cover in a routine appointment happened at the hospital (bp, urinalysis), so didn't see the need to repeat which is fair. Definitely call to make an appointment if you want to discuss your mental health but don't wait for routine appointments to bring it up if you see what I'm saying? Are you under the perinatal mental health team?

I wouldn't worry too much about fundal height not being checked either. In many trusts, it won't be done before 28 weeks and it's known to be fairly inaccurate. If baby was checked on the monitor yesterday and doctors are happy, then measuring bump won't really be necessary.

I imagine you have cover for this morning's appointment? If so, I'd turn up anyway as though you haven't got the message.

If they only cancelled yesterday, it's unlikely someone else has filled the slot. And even if they have, it means you can get the new appointment organised and rearranged appropriately. I doubt they'd be able to talk to your DH about much.

@Overthebow my husband called back last night and no pre-eclampsia, just borderline for anaemia and my urine showed I may have a UTI, but the midwife forgot to discuss that with the doctor so they can’t prescribe anything for that and I’ll have to go through my GP.

I had originally agreed with my midwife that if she was on annual leave for any of my routine appointments, I’d have mine a week early/late to still see her where possible. As otherwise I am having to explain my entire history to new people constantly, as I have already had to do far more often than I’d like. I had three people yesterday ask what pregnancy number/baby this was and then look uncomfortable when funnily enough explaining this will be my seventh pregnancy but first baby makes me cry!

Just turn up at your planned appointment.

I would phone them asap and insist on seeing her asap. You shouldn't need to explain yourself, my midwife happily saw me one day after I had heart palpitations and she was pretty useless most of the time so that is bare minimum. They should defo be able to find you an appt before she goes on AL

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I would honestly just go for your routine appointment and tell her all the things you're unhappy about.

If she's not there because she's chosen to not go in until the next appointment, ask to speak to the Practice Manager and outline your concerns.

I hate it when the GP does this from a non-reply number.

Aww this is just awful but really really typical of nhs maternity care. Contact the midwife / service and insist someone sees you ..say your symptoms are not resolved (they arent you dont have any explanation or antibiotics).... I know its awful repeating yourself but seeing a midwife is better than none and the NHS just cannot provide consistency of care sadly.

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Glad that despite your worries, you're ok.

I’m sorry that you’re having such a tough time but it sounds like she was trying to save you a wasted appointment for today if she’s just going to repeat what they’ve already done.

In my experience, birth plans won’t be discussed till nearer the time as things can change.

In terms of you seeing another midwife, yours may be away for 2 weeks and so seeing you early/late may not be the best for you. Work will need to give you the time off.

it sounds like you need to speak to someone about your mental health and need a referral for some counselling/therapy to help you manage your anxiety. Try and contact your midwife today or if it’s not too inconvenient for you, try seeing her at what would have have been your original time but bear in mind that it may not be possible. Otherwise is there an out of hours number you can call and ask what services are available for mental health?

Could you just turn up and say you never got the text? I would agree a hospital visit should not replace your routine appointment particularly when all they seem to check were your bloods. Not measure baby, check movements, blood pressure etc which is what would be done at your routine appointment. Sorry your care has been so bad.

I had quite a few midwife appts cancelled because of seeing a consultant, which was usually fine for me, it is normal practice because you've actually been checked. I would think the GP will be of more use for both anxiety and UTI, but if you do particularly want to see that midwife then just turn up. I had one who over-booked herself by mistake and tried to get me to leave, but I just said no it was urgent (hospital wanted her to book something), so she made the time.