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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To Complain About my Midwife?

54 replies

midori1999 · 09/04/2010 17:14

I'll try and be brief, sorry.

Basically, I am now 20+5 pregnant with twins. The waters around twin 1 broke at 14+5 and it was expected I would miscarry within a few days as that is what happen sin most cases. However, obviously things are OK for now, although there is some uncertaintly about whether twin 1 can survive outside the womb as the lungs can't develop properly without amniotic fluid.

Aside from that, the biggest risk to the pregnancy now is infection, so I am having bloods taken three times a week and urine tested at the same time to check for this. I am also on oral antibiotics 4 times a day until delivery. I was having bloods taken at the hospital, but now someone is coming out to do bloods at home as I am on bedrest in an attempt to keep what amniotic fluid is being produced inside for as long as possible. The samne midwife is coming each time and it is her I have a problem with.

The first time I saw said midwife she hadn't even looked at my notes and thought I was there as I had a UTI. She then didn't know what vials to use for the blood tests, so asked my husband and I. Then, when asked, she checked my previous blood results and as the CRP levels were raised (one of the ways they can check for infection, ut it was early days then and I didn't know) I asked her what they were and she looked it up on Wikipedia in front of me, then told me not to worry I could discuss with the consultant at my appointment the next day. Obviously I did worry as she hadn't even known what CRP meant!

On Monda she came out and gave me an evelope with test results in. I looked at them and septn few seconds looking at results for tests I didn't remember having (swabs) then realised they had someone else's name at the top and weren't mine! Today she came out and had forgotten my blood results from Weds. She then put the vials of blood she had taken today in her pocket as she didn't have the correct envelope for them. She rang with Weds blood results this afternoon and all three things they check for were raised. She also said they were 'fine' but I am not sure if she even checked with the consultant, which is what they are meant to do if bloods are raised. Then she said that shehadn't sent today's bloods in time (they are meant to go at 10am although they can send them at 2pm if they miss that, but she missed both) so I haven't got the results of todays yet, which I feel is important as obviously if they have gone up again since Wed it might well be a cause for concern and I would need to be treated.

Sorry this is so long. I just feel like I should complain about the midwife's basic lack of competance and professionalism when I see the consultant next week. I don't feel she is that knowledgable about the situation with my pregnancy or taking it seriously enough and not doing her job properly which means that my babies, myself and my ability to get pregnant in future are being put at risk. (If I do get an infection it might mean I can't get pregnant again). But AIBU?

OP posts:
Ebb · 09/04/2010 17:19

Yanbu! I am shocked by her incompetence especially after all you've been through. I would definately complain and ask for a different midwife.

Firawla · 09/04/2010 17:21

yanbu i would complain because she seems incompetant and it is your babies health at risk

thisisnotwhoyouthink · 09/04/2010 17:21

Gosh! I would deffo complain. In fact, given that your levels were raised is it worth calling your birth suite and discuss it wiht them and perhaps go in and get them to redo the tests? I assume they are fairly important tests and it would be of utmost importantance to get treatment straight away and myself, I would not be happy having to wait over the weekend for treatment, iykwim? It might also put your mind at rest should you not need treatment (which is hopefully the case). If yuo explained what was going on I am sure that they would be happy to accomodate you (or, if you want, call them and say that you havent felt the babies move and then they tel you to come in anyway, then you can explain once yuo are there - thereby putting the duty of care straight onto them and they would HAVE
to redo it??)

Then I would also deffo complain next week to the consultant as well.

I hope all is well with your little bubbas and wish you all the best for an uneventful rest of your pregnancy - everything is crossed for you.

moondog · 09/04/2010 17:21

Jesus, this sounds terrible.

Tee2072 · 09/04/2010 17:22

How could you possibly think you are being unreasonable.

Complain and complain loudly until the midwife is changed. And that midwife is fired or at least retrained.

Take what you've written above with you so you don't forget anything. And I don't think I would even wait until next week. I would ring the consultant immediately.

Lulumaam · 09/04/2010 17:23

YANBU

you are in a serious situation and need to have competent caregivers who you feel are looking after you and your babies

I would phone the head of midwifery/matron today and make a verbal complaint, back it up with a written one and ask that you have a different midwife with immediate effect

bibbitybobbityhat · 09/04/2010 17:24

Yanbu. I'm afraid that all sounds rather shabby. I would make a complaint but do everything in my power not to get wound up or stressed by it all (easier said than done, I realise) .

Sorry you are having such a gruelling pg.

wonka · 09/04/2010 17:37

YANBU.
Poor you, you have enough to worry about.
CRP
I would ring the consultants secretary and leave a message saying your markers are elevated and you are concerned. Let your GP know he'll ref you to the hosp if necessary! And yes you need to complain she doesn't sound at all competant!
Good Luck

strawberrykate · 09/04/2010 18:01

I've been following your thread on pregnancy, this is the last thing you need. Personally I'd formally request a different midwife and state my reasons why! There are things you can let lie, but this isn't one of them. Your health and your babies health are at least partly dependent on the competence of this woman. I pretty much NEVER complain, so believe me if I think you shoudl then you've probably got excellent grounds to complain on!

strawberrykate · 09/04/2010 18:02

Oh and also, congratulations for getting this far, it's a long way from where you thought you'd be now. I wish you all the luck in the world for the rest of your pregnancy.

motherbeyond · 09/04/2010 18:20

awful!!god,as if you haven't got enough to worry about.even if you were being unreasonable (which you are so not) you are perfectly within your rights to request a different midwife.
i send my most sincere best wishes to you and your babies

BouncingTurtle · 09/04/2010 18:23

'I asked her what they were and she looked it up on Wikipedia in front of me'

Yes you should complain! At the very least she could be in breach of patient confidentiality when she had some else's notes that she was reading from!

MrsVidic · 09/04/2010 18:26

I complained about my mw when preg with my dd and they were very discreat and just swapped me. It happens all the time apparently- yanbu- call and get one you have confidence in- you dont need the stress

mummytotwins · 09/04/2010 18:53

YANBU Complain!! straight away and demand another midwife and also someone to come and do your bloods properly and go through everything with you!!!

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy x

TottWriter · 09/04/2010 18:58

YANBU

Please, get a new midwife - the one you have now is clearly utterly incompetant. You need to report her because she is putting you and presumaby any other vulnerable patients she has at risk, and needs to be retrained.

Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy. I hope things work out okay for you.

maduggar · 09/04/2010 19:00

I have been following your othe rthread, and I am so pleased that the twins are holding on

I would not be happy with this midwives acer at all, and would definitely make a complaint or ask to have another take over.

lovechoc · 09/04/2010 19:17

YANBU please complain about this MW and explain what has been happening each day she's been in to visit you at home. This is not sounding good at all.

giveitago · 09/04/2010 20:34

Change now - get the proper care you need then complain.

Pozzled · 09/04/2010 20:48

Definitely complain. You need to feel confident that you are getting the best possible care, and the last thing you need is a mw adding to your stress.

Wishing you and the twins all the best.

faddle · 09/04/2010 20:59

Complain, and fast, you need to get the right treatment as soon as possible. My heart really aches for you in this situation - I have only ever heard of one other person who PROM one twin at 13 weeks, she eventually delivered at 28 weeks, one twin healthy but prem, the other unfortunately did not have sufficient lung development to survive outside the womb, and passed on in the first 24 hours. I'm sure all of us are willing you on to 24 weeks and beyond, and all praying that both twins come home with you.
The next few weeks are so crucial to your babies, please dont hesitate to tread on anyones toes if you feel they arent doing 150% for you, or you have even the slightest doubt in their competency.

LadyThompson · 09/04/2010 23:25

This is a disgrace. You poor old thing. COMPLAIN, and loudly.

startagain · 09/04/2010 23:32

this is too serious to overlook, complain

nursie999 · 09/04/2010 23:37

Jesus, please please complain.
In a phone call to the Midwifery manager, followed up by a letter.
I will always support my midwife and nurse colleagues as much as possible, because there are some fantastic nurses and midwives out there.
But this woman is putting your health and the health of your babies at risk. She is clearly not doing her job. (There may be mitigating factors, but you know what, if she is not able to cope with her workload, she should not be in it.)

In the meanwhile, if you feel in any way cold/shivery or flu like, or show any symptoms of infection, hot foot it in to the hospital ASAP.
The focus of midwifery training is always on healthy women and healthy pregnancies (as the majority are) but any good midwife will be taught to look for complications, take them seriously and know how to deal with them too. This woman sounds scarily scatty.

jurisfictionoperative · 10/04/2010 02:54

Please complain. If people don't complain about genuine problems with medical care, they continue until someone ends up dying or worse! I had an aunt who worked in nhs complaints, and some of the tales she told us were truly awful! I have been lurking on your pregnancy thread and have everything crossed for you and your twins. Even if you weren't in such a predicament, you are entitled to safe reliable care, and in your predicament its imperative!

and p.s. keep up the posts, we are all desperate to find out how you are getting on. xxx

midori1999 · 10/04/2010 10:52

Thanks everyone.

Luckily a different midwife has rang me back this morning, having already had yesterday's blood results and checked them with a consultant. She said levels alone would be fine for now (as white blood cells were normalish, CRP a bit raised) but as I have mentioned some stomach discomfort too, although I am not convinced it just isn't normal pregnancy aches and pains, she rang the consultant back and they want me to go to the day assessment unit to be on the safe side.

It is quite reassurring (although obviously I am worried!) to feel like I am being dealt with by someone competant. It makes all the difference.

I will wait and see what happens, but I will complain about my midwife. Partly as I feel she wouldn't have followed up the blood results herself and is generally incompetant. I do hate complaining, but I guess it's not like a bad dinner in a restaurant, people's health could be at risk here.

OP posts: