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Midwifery services

4 replies

PK4 · 04/03/2010 13:40

It's not a question as such, just a rant and whether anyone has any advice or wants to rant with me, lol!
It's my 1st pregnancy and I'm 34 weeks pregnant. Since the word go, I've not been very happy with the midwifery service. I've not complained or moaned to anyone, I've just put up with it. But it's starting to upset me now (probably the hormones!!).
When I had my 1st appointment, the midwife I saw was the not the midwife I was supposed to see as she was sick (fair enough) and I had to go to the next town to see this other midwife and there was a mix up with the date etc (their mistake, not mine). When I saw her, she said the midwife I was supposed to have was leaving and by the time I have my next appointment she would be gone and she gave me the name of the midwife I would see instead. What I don't understand is why I just didn't see that midwife.
When I went to see the replacement midwife, she was newly qualified. I don't have a problem with that as we all got to start somewhere. She is a nice woman and very friendly, but when the health visitor came to see me she asked if I had my packs and leaflets etc. I've had none of them and it was down to my midwife to give the information to me.
Also, I have not seen my midwife on the dates I'm supposed to as she was not in the surgery on one day and she is on holiday next week so it will be 3 weeks till I next see her. I was meant to do my birthplan with her 3 weeks ago, but she wasn't in on that day and then was meant to do it last week, but she was running late (my appointment was 20mins late) so she said we woulddo it in 2weeks, but she is on holiday so won't see her for 3 weeks now. I will have 5 weeks left of pregnancy, with no birth plan yet. I'm bit worried about it. As it is my first pregnancy I don't know when it's best to do the birth plan, but that is besides the point as my midwife should be more organised. I know she is newly qualified, but she should know her job and give me the information I need. I feel as if I'm in the dark.
My other problem is that she gave me no information about antenatal classes so I rang up myself and found out that I've just missed it and the next one is 19th April, my due date. This is what upset me as I don't feel properly prepared. They have slotted me into one next week in another town. If I hadn't of rung up, I wouldn't attend any antenatal classes.
Am I right to rant and moan or am I being unreasonable or hormonal?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
bluemonkey123 · 04/03/2010 15:38

Ohhh tough one!! I wouldn't know where to start to complain about a midwife...I think it depends wether you are seeing your midwife through your GP or community midwife team or the hospital - do you know??

WRT your birth plan, write it yourself! I didn't do one at all with DD1 (not cause I chose not to, but I didn't know that people did!!) As far as I've heard they mostly go out of the window anyway. You can at least decide if you want convemtional/water birth etc. and if you are open to receiving drugs as pain relief.

Ante-natal classes, have you checked with your hospital? I went to ones in the hospital with DD1, and they were great as i felt really at home when i was there in labour and after the birth as I had been going once/twice a week for a while and got to meet the delivery midwifes etc.

completely understand your frustration though, my current midwife for DC2 seems very uninterested, I know she sees it every day, but I don't! (sorry just had to get that off my chest!)
Sorry I'm not much help.

lilmamma · 11/08/2010 09:52

poor you,i think its so unfair and especially as this is your first baby.My daughter has had exellent care,we even have a midwife coming to the house,as she is on this new scheme thing,we also had someone from surestart who wanted to do all her antenatal appointments at our home,but my daughter declined as she enjoys seeing all the other girls at the gp midwife clinic.

Does your doctors do a antenatal clinic,where you could meet the midwife,as i think the hospitals are so big and busy.as for the birth plan,i had 4 babies and never did one,but if you feel you would like one,just write down on a piece of paper things you would like and no like if possible..

I think you have every right to moan,and you seem to be left on your own basically which isnt fair at all.You should have also been invited to view the labour room etc..hope things go better for you soon x

lilmamma · 11/08/2010 09:53

poor you,i think its so unfair and especially as this is your first baby.My daughter has had exellent care,we even have a midwife coming to the house,as she is on this new scheme thing,we also had someone from surestart who wanted to do all her antenatal appointments at our home,but my daughter declined as she enjoys seeing all the other girls at the gp midwife clinic.

Does your doctors do a antenatal clinic,where you could meet the midwife,as i think the hospitals are so big and busy.as for the birth plan,i had 4 babies and never did one,but if you feel you would like one,just write down on a piece of paper things you would like and no like if possible..

I think you have every right to moan,and you seem to be left on your own basically which isnt fair at all.You should have also been invited to view the labour room etc..hope things go better for you soon x

lilmamma · 11/08/2010 09:54

oops just noticed this was posted in march ??? dont know why they keep them on for so long weird,so bynow you would have had your baby.hope it all went well.

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