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Childbirth

Share experiences and get support around labour, birth and recovery.

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Original poster

midwife not listening to me

30 replies

NAR4 · 01/03/2011 10:57

Now overdue with my fourth baby. Waters dried out with all three of my others and was assurred at the beginning of this pregnancy by the consultant that if there were concerns near the end, I would be given a scan to check. Showing all the same symptoms again as with the others but midwife took three weeks of my constantly phoning her before she would refer me back to the consultant to ask to be checked. Appointment isn't until the day before I am due to be induced anyway. Feel like this has been done on purpose, but don't know what I can do about it.

2nd child is now special needs due to complications at birth cause of no waters; all were back to back, as is this one, no water left with first three, had to be induced with first three and no signs of anything happening this time, 2nd child had shoulder dytocia and birth hypoxia also because he got stuck.

Wanted to be induced on my due date, as I was with my 3rd child to stop baby getting too big and getting stuck again. Due to such a late appointment with the consultant that isn't going to be possible though.

Midwife hasn't seen me since 36 weeks and I am now 41 weeks. She cancelled the last two appointments.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MooM00 · 01/03/2011 11:04

If I were you I'd call the hospital labour ward number, say you're woried and ask to talk it over with a mw. You don't have to be in labour to call them and if it's not the way they do things they will suggest who you should talk to.

Eglu · 01/03/2011 11:10

Is it possible to contact the hospital and get an appointment with the consultant directly. Or as Moo says if you contact labour ward they may get you to see a consultant as an emergency.

PorkChopSter · 01/03/2011 11:13

Is there a walk in maternity clinic at the hospital?
I think you should start phoning the numbers in your notes.

clouiseg · 01/03/2011 11:13

OMG I would say you have more than enough cause to demand extra monitoring!!

If it were me I'd give the MW one last go and threaten to turn up at AAU if she doesnt help. If no joy, i'd bloody march up there and demand to be checked. I also have a DD with special needs and appreciate your fears. They MUST listen to you so stand your ground. Please let us know how it goes.

Original poster

NAR4 · 01/03/2011 11:20

Have already spoken to a few midwifes at the hospital to try and get an urgent appointment with the consultant. They keep repeating to me that it is hospital policy to wait until you are 42 weeks unless medically indicated for an earlier inducetion. Have explained that it is but they are just not interested.

No walk in clinic, just a day assessment unit (run entirely by midwifes). Tried going there and they just send me away again, saying it needed to be the consultants decision and they couldn't get me an earlier appointment.

Have tried to get hold of the consultants secretary for over a week now, to try and get an earlier appointment, but she never seems to answer the phone.

Appointment is this Thursday, so feel its all just too late now. REALLY pissed off though, as I feel completely let down and am now worried about things going wrong with the birth. Shouldn't need to feel this way so close to having my baby.

Def going to make a complaint after the baby is here, as I feel I have been treated badly and nobody has taken my history into account. Just a pat on the head and being treated like a mother who is just impatient to have her baby now, they are not listening to my concerns.

Sorry, just needed a good rant about it.

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Piffly · 01/03/2011 11:46

That's awful NAR4 You shouldn't have to put up with being fobbed off like this.

Have you considered going via your GP? It's bad practice for the midwife to have cancelled the last 2 appointments without recommending GP appts instead, for a start, so GP could perhaps intervene on your behalf with the consultant?

MrsPlugThePlumber · 01/03/2011 11:48

I would definitely ring my GP

And ask them to intervene.

clouiseg · 01/03/2011 12:00

Agree with piffly and mrsplug

You MUST do something. Perhaps seeing your gp face to face, armed with the facts and issues from previous pgs, along with seeing how upset you are, would be a good way forward. Very for you! just disgusting!

PorkChopSter · 01/03/2011 12:22

PALS or GP then. So sorry, this is the last thing you need to be worried about.

Eglu · 01/03/2011 12:26

You really have been treated appallingly by all of the midwives. I would be particularly pissed off at not seeing your own mw for 3 weeks though. She should be seeing you every week at the end, and especially as you should be classed as high risk.

Original poster

NAR4 · 01/03/2011 12:42

I am considered a high risk patient, which is why I am under the consultant, but I can only be referred to them via my crap midwife.

Tried GP who said my care was down to the midwife.

Didn't think of PALS, they would be worth a call for suggestions on how to get the consultant to agree to a scan to check my waters. Still want the scan even though it is too late to induce early, as at least a plan can be put in place.

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GruffalosGirl · 01/03/2011 13:22

Have you tried contacting the supervisor of midwives at the hospital? THey are like the head of the midwives and they have to respond to a complaint. I would hand write a letter today and then drop it off today to the supervisor of midwives, along with maybe trying to call them and asking to speak to her directly.

You could also try contacting AIMS here and they will advise you how to proceed. They are a really good national support who have lots of experience in handling maternity services when they are not doing what they should in a really formal way that gets results.

It depends how bolshy you are feeling. You could go the the maternity department and refuse to leave until you have spoken to the supervisor of midwives as well. It's still not too late, they should be able to scan you today and induce today if there are any problems.

Good luck, I hope everything is well with the baby.

Alimat1 · 01/03/2011 13:32

and there is always a supervisor of midwives on call 24/7

architien · 01/03/2011 13:33

Every sensible midwife knows that each child and woman is different in terms of when they they are ready for birth. It is beyond cruel that so many women are fobbed off in order to fit in with hospital arbitary guidelines. Women and babies are needlessly put at risk either by not inducing or inducing at times which only fit their guidelines rather than take into account the woman's particular situation.

It may be worth getting AIMS on the phone for a chat, they are incredibly helpful and worth googling.

I refered myself to the consultant when i needed to. I would also speak to the leader of supervisors of midwives for your area in your situation. Just call the hospital and get their direct dial numbers.

Try to remain calm (although I could imagine you'd find that difficult), you are absolutely correct to act on your instincts and it's your right to get support. I would also try to drink plenty of water and inbetween phone calls and getting down to the maternity hospital try and take a few seconds to breath in a bit of fresh air, tell yourself you can do whatever work is ahead of you in the next few weeks and that by instisting for support your are being the very best mother.

I'm praying you and your little one get on well.

PorkChopSter · 01/03/2011 13:46

AIMS: AIMS Helpline
email: [email protected]
This email will go to a group of AIMS volunteers and someone will respond as soon as possible.
telephone: +44 (0) 300 365 0663
This phone number will connect you to an AIMS volunteer when possible, otherwise please leave us a message and someone will get back to you.
(Calls to 03 numbers cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number and will be covered by phone contract inclusive minutes in the same way as 01 and 02 calls. See www.ofcom.org.uk for further details)

blondieminx · 01/03/2011 14:00

TBH given your history I would just go down to the AAU with your notes. If you're physically there it's harder for them to fob you off - and while you're there, they may as well scan you!

Just explain to the receptionist that you are not happy because a number of midwife appointments have been cancelled and you are concerned (particularly given your history) that the care plan set out by the consultant is not being followed and you are worried about the potential consequences of this. Insist on being seen today.

I assume that once the consultant sees you he'll get a scan arranged for today. Ask to speak to the Supervisor of Midwives while you are there to set out your concerns also.

Good luck and wishing you and your baby all the best.

Original poster

NAR4 · 01/03/2011 15:18

I have spoken to the supervisor of midwifes who has told me the decision would have to be made by the consultant, who is not available before Thursday. I have asked to see a different consultant then and was told no.

Have taken advice from here and spoken to PALS asking them to ensure I would be able to have a scan done when I see the consultant on Thursday. To be honest a couple of days is neither here nor there now. I am not concerned for my babies well being at the moment, just when I give birth. At least getting in with the scan request in advance, I am hoping I won't be fobbed off on Thursday. Like you say if things don't look good at the scan they should bring me straight in, that is what happened with my 2nd and 3rd child anyway.

If PALS are unable to help I will try AIMS. Just trying to stay relaxed and unstressed now whilst I wait until Thursday.

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Milngavie · 01/03/2011 15:39

NAR4 I had a shoulder dystocia with DS2 and then was not allowed to have DS's 3 & 4 naturally. My consultant was vehement that I be sectioned to prevent it happening again even when I asked about VBAC for DS4.

I wonder why you are being allowed (and have been allowed) to labour normally? Especially with your history.

I hope all is okay and that your consultant is supportive on Thursday.

missmehalia · 01/03/2011 15:43

This sounds horrid. You've been given the run around, I think. If this happens again, go to your GP and sit there and wait while they phone the consultant on your behalf. See how they like it...

Original poster

NAR4 · 01/03/2011 15:43

To be honest I'm not sure I would want a cesarean. Different hospitals, different policies I guess. You would have thought in this day and age though that all hospitals would pretty much have the same policies for these things.

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jenniec79 · 01/03/2011 15:44

Or A&E and ask for the O&G on call?

Original poster

NAR4 · 01/03/2011 16:03

Quick update

Just had a grovelly phone call from on e of the hospital midwifes, who reassured me that the consultant on Thursday can send me for a scan there and then if she feels it appropriate and I would also be bought in immediately to be induced if there was concern.

Thankyou ladies, I will let you know the final outcome on Thursday. Hopefully all is well and I just need the reassurance of that scan.

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Piffly · 01/03/2011 19:28

Glad things seem to be moving along now NAR4. Best of luck with your appointment on Thursday and keep us posted.

Milngavie · 01/03/2011 20:42

Glad to hear they are finally doing something.

It is odd to hear how policies between hospitals differ so much. As I said my consultant insisted on my sections and a midwife told me that would be the case once we were sure DS was okay.

I can understand you not wanting a section though .

Original poster

NAR4 · 07/03/2011 18:01

To update everyone who helped and listened to me moan. My waters broke on Wednesday night and because I have GSB I was asked to go straight into hospital. I was given a hormone drip in the morning to start my contractions as I still only having mild ones. 32 gruelling hours later I had a perfectly healthy 7lb 14oz little girl. Thank goodness its all over, but she was worth it.

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