I just had what was actually my third (and last) MW appointment as I am having an elective section in 10 days. I went today in tears as I am struggling anyway but the last straw has been that I have been in excruciating pain with a sinus infection for the last 2 days. I knew I wouldn't be able to get a GP appointment at such short notice but I remembered from last pregnancy that your midwife can usually get one for you.
So I go along to my appointment and start crying really hysterically as the pain is so bad (think facial migraine). The midwife says she can't get me a GP appointment. I ask her if I can take sudafed, she says she doesn't know - to ask the chemist. She tells me that if I go to a local walk in clinic they can give me HOMEOPATHIC medicine (WTF!!!!!). My husband was shocked. In the end she told me to go to triage at my hospital but I was going to do that anyway as she was obviously a waste of effing space.
She took my blood pressure (fine) and measured the baby's heartbeat (fine). When I asked her which way the baby was lying she replied 'I don't know I haven't really been trained in that.'
So what the hell has she been trained in? In the end I went to triage and they were very nice. They gave me codeine and told me that sudafed is fine to take after the 1st trimester. Surely she should know things like that? I can't be the first woman to turn up with sinusitis during pregnancy. I am really shocked that she was trying to give me homeopathic medicine. My god! I wanted really strong DRUGS!
Is this what counts for midwife care these days? Thank God I won't be seeing her again. BTW, the pain is still so bad that the codeine has only taken the edge off it.