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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:
porcamiseria · 10/04/2010 21:04

yanbu

do complain, please

and god luck with the littlw uns

TottWriter · 10/04/2010 21:13

Glad to hear someone's taking things seriously for you. I hope it was just the usual aches and nothing more serious.

tryingtobemarrypoppins2 · 10/04/2010 21:19

midori1999 how are you?

Lucianne3 · 10/04/2010 22:49

God, I've only skimmed the first page of this, but Get Another Midwife! I was a student midwife until very recently (left due to family reasons), and there's no excuse (AT ALL) for this level of incompetence. This is your baby's health at stake. Complain.

Debs75 · 10/04/2010 22:56

COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN And fast too.
She is acting very unprofessional possibly negligent. She has handed you someone elses confidential results and is not following guideslines re. putting vials in pocket.
Her behaviour is adding to your stress levels so she is not helping your pregnancy.
You have th right to ask for another MW so ask away, you don't have to tell them why but it might be a good idea as she seems a bit ditzy(being nice)

midori1999 · 11/04/2010 12:46

Thanks again everyone.

I ended up being kept in hospital overnight, but they have let me home today. My CRP levels were a bit more raised yesterday, but as my white cell count was ok ish and I haven't got any other symptoms (did have a high pulse rate, but that is settling now) they have said I am fine at home but if I get any more symptoms to go back.

They did mention having to deliver the babies yesterday, which was horrifying, but I think they were maybe just giving worse case scenario. Fingers and everything else crossed I can hang on at least a few more weeks and sort out a better midwife too.

OP posts:
maduggar · 11/04/2010 12:49

I have my fingers crossed for you & your twins.

chocolateNOW · 12/04/2010 01:26

hang on in there little ones!

ChippingIn · 12/04/2010 01:38

Midori - did you tell them about your midwife?? Seriously, she needs re-training before she does some real damage.

Good luck with your twins x

Jacksmama · 12/04/2010 02:32

Jesus Christ in a horse-drawn apple cart.

WTF is wrong with this woman??????

REPORT, REPORT, REPORT!!!

Jacksmama · 12/04/2010 02:33

Crap, sorry, just read last few posts... good luck Midori, keep the cork in!!!!!

gtamom · 12/04/2010 06:40

That first midwife is incompetent, please do file a complaint.

Meanwhile, you relax and rest easy.
Wishing you good luck with your babies.

pilates · 12/04/2010 08:29

Horrified when I read your post please complain in writing asap and ask if you can transfer to the other midwife. You need to safeguard yourself and other expectant mothers. Wishing you all the luck in the world.

midori1999 · 12/04/2010 15:25

Oh my word!!!

I am definitely going to have to say something! This midwife came to do my bloods again today and slagged off the maternity ward saying they were 'disorganised' (I haven't especially found that, tbh) and then slagged off my consultant, by first asking how I found him and then when I said I liked him saying 'well, he's OK I suppose, but he takes so long over everything'. I told her I called it being thorough...

The stupid woman also mentioned being n a rush again, despite knowing I had been in hospital over the weekend!!!

OP posts:
bumpybecky · 12/04/2010 15:35

please phone the supervisor of midwives today and get yourself a different midwife, do not let this woman near you and your precious babies again

addictedtothefirsttrimester · 12/04/2010 15:44

please phone up her supervisor and report her i'm shocked at her behavior. you need a new midwife, so you can relax and not stress

nursie999 · 12/04/2010 15:45

Midori,
Seriously. Get on the Phone NOW.

Or tell me where you are and who she is and I will do it myself.

I am so cross that any pregnant woman, let alone someone with a very complicated pregnancy would be treated like this. By a MIDWIFE.

Do she have any insight at all into how worried you must be?

My friend went through something similar before her DD was born last year. She was very reluctant to say anything in case it would come back at her. In the end I got one of the lead midwives to intervene and take over, as I work a lot with her and had a good working relationship. The midwife she originally had is now working under supervision. I would have preferred if she had been sacked, but it was my dear friend she was messing about, and therefore I couldnt be objective.

Please request someone else.

midori1999 · 12/04/2010 15:58

Thanks. I have to admit, I have been quite upset since Saturday anyway, the thought of something going wrong now when it is only a few weeks until the 24 week point (and there is a chance at 23 weeks) is unbearable, tbh.

I don't think the midwife 'gets it' at all. She said last week not to even think about delivering at 24 weeks, when realistically, I would be very lucky to get to 24 weeks at all. Then today, when I told her they were considering the option delivering the babies when I was in hospital on Saturday, wich was obviously terrifying, she asked why.

I see my consultant at the hospital tomorrow and will complain about her then, either to he consultant or one of the senior/head midwives. I feel I am too upset to think or talk about it sensibly or rationally today, and I won't have to see her again before then anyway.

OP posts:
ChocolatePants · 12/04/2010 16:03

Totally agree- when I first clicked on this thread I thought it would be some 'precious' misunderstanding...but no, it is truly appalling- go with EVERYONE elses advice- complain, change midwife etc...

you are so not BU....

Good luck and I hope all goes well with the rest of the pregnency- it must be an awfully worrying time for you.

hopalongsausage · 12/04/2010 16:15

You must complain. I was appalled at some of the treatment I received when I was pregnant last year - at one AN appointment the midwife tried to listen to the heartbeat, couldn't and then said 'ooh don't worry, I'm sure it's fine, see you next month!' I complained, and from then on I was seen by the Consultant Midwife whenever I wanted to, either in hospital or at home, pre and post natally - and no, it wasn't private!

Wishing you lots and lots of luck with your babies x

nursie999 · 12/04/2010 16:20

The consultant won't really have any say in it.
Different line management. Although I would not be surprised if he was well aware of the scary midwives.

Write it down.
Get your DH to help you write down the main points later on today -the facts so that it doesnt come across as you "not liking" her.

The government is taking a big interest in Maternity units and the NHS Litigation Authority has recently set standards for Maternity care. So they will take notice.

This is just a synopsis of what you have already told us. So you won't have to think about it too much. The stuff on this is enough to be reported to the NMC. (Nursing and Midwifery Council)

Brief introduction with your name and date of birth. Stage of pregnancy, current complication.
State facts:
1.The first time I saw said midwife she hadn't even looked at my notes.
2.She thought I was there as I had a UTI.
3.She then didn't know what vials to use for the blood tests-asked myself and husband.
4.When asked, she checked my previous blood results and as the CRP levels were raised I asked her what they were: 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.
5.On Monday 5th she came out and gave me an evelope with test results in. I looked at them and spent 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!
6.Fri 9th 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.
7.She rang with Weds blood results this afternoon and all three things they check for were raised. She also said they were 'fine'
8.She said that she hadn't sent today's (Fri 9th)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.
9.Monday 12th This midwife came to do my bloods again today and slagged off the maternity ward saying they were 'disorganised' (I haven't especially found that, tbh) and then slagged off my consultant, by first asking how I found him and then when I said I liked him saying 'well, he's OK I suppose, but he takes so long over everything'. I told her I called it being thorough..
She also mentioned being in a rush again, despite knowing I had been in hospital over the weekend.

LittleSilver · 12/04/2010 18:45

What nursie999 said, consultant not her boss, complain to the Supervisor of Midwives, maybe PALS as well. I think you are being very strong andI wish you and your twins all the best!

StealthPolarBear · 12/04/2010 18:50

i could do her job better, and i work in IT
complain!!

reikizen · 12/04/2010 18:54

Whilst you have my utmost sympathy for the difficulties you are encountering during your pregnancy I just want to add a couple of comments to the general outrage & flaming.
I don't think putting vials of blood in your pocket is a complainable offence per se. They are in a protective environment anyway and they travel to the lab in a plastic bag so no great afforded protection there.
I also would suggest that the midwife may have been asking you which blood is being taken as she is assuming you are au fait with the care being provided to you. I don't think it is a sign of incompetence to involve women in their own care.
It is very easy (although not recommended!) to miss blood pick ups due to a mammoth work load I'm afraid.
Having said all that, if you are unhappy with your care you should tell someone. I
don't think a 'complaint' as such is required but it sounds as if you will feel more confident in someone else's care and that is the aim of the game.
Hope it all goes smoother from now on.

nursie999 · 12/04/2010 19:05

It seems that she didnt know which vials to use, not which bloods needed to be taken.
And as I have destroyed many a pen in my pocket, I think just dropping them in the pocket is not a safe way to transport them. (and would be against my trust policy)
Sadly, blaming a massive workload isn't an excuse(especially where missing the bloods could endanger the OP and her babies.
That is not even taking into consideration the other points.

So yes, complain.