Just wondering whether anyone has had the same issue. We're lucky in Hertfordshire that mental health care for pregnant women / new mums is very comprehensive. With my first, because I am bipolar (although haven't been ill, touch wood, for 6 years) I was referred to a psychiatrist and a community mental health nurse who I had regular appts with during pregnancy and for a year after my son was born. The risk of puperal psychosis is v high in bipolar conditions. That part is a fantastic service, and I wish all areas had the same cover / funding. However, on top of this, I had to see an obstetric consultant who apparently 'specialises' in mental health conditions, but she was the most patronising and ignorant person. I was seeing two mental health professionals anyway, and yet she went through a checklist, didn't want to talk about labour, and suggested that my hyperemesis was actually to do with my eating disorders as an adolescent 20 years previously. It was horrendous. I should have walked out.
Second time around, happy to go through the same psychiatric protection measures I did first time round, it's very full on but necessary when you consider the risks. However I want to see a different consultant, to talk about the obstetric complications. My son was born with Strep B infection, and I had to have an emergency c section. I want to talk about birthing options, risks, why my son was so ill and how we can prevent the same mistakes occurring. I'm being refused an alternative consultant. Has anyone fought the same issue, even for different reasons? Particularly at Lister in Stevenage.