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Childbirth

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

Going to baby clinic 5 days after c section. Whatever happened to home visits???

28 replies

comboofletters · 19/11/2016 00:10

I recently moved from one London borough to another. I gave birth to my 3rd child on Monday and had my first c section. All went smoothly and I was well cared for at the hospital although I've been in agony all week. I came back home on Wednesday and was visited by a midwife on Thursday. She told me my next appointment would be at the baby clinic 20 minutes walk from my house on Saturday- tomorrow- morning. Has anyone else been asked to do this -as in go to a health centre with a newborn 5 days after major abdominal surgery? Considering I'm one of the lucky ones- I had no major problems with the birth , we've managed to sort out childcare for the morning and my husband will help me there and back, how on earth do people do it if they've got no family support, or any post birth issues?I'm pissed off I have to go tomorrow as I really don't feel up to it, but it makes me feel really angry about what's happening to maternity services in this country. Any one else?

OP posts:
CashelGirl · 27/11/2016 21:01

It is becoming more and more common, but unless women write in and complain loudly, it will not change. Services are being asked to save millions, year on year, so everything is getting cut to the absolute bone. The Government are expecting NHS Trusts to be run like businesses, not as a service, they have to evidence they are providing "value for tax payers money". A clinic can see four to five times as many Mums and babies as a Community Midwife on visits.

Artandco · 27/11/2016 21:09

I agree it's rubbish. I would have to walk down 5 flights of stairs just to get out and then clinic is a 20 min slow walk/ 5-10 min taxi ride away. I could have done it as no c section, Dh to help, and could afford a taxi. But I imagine someone in pain, no help and having to walk as fuel to afford taxi, it would be unrealistic

Also , in London we are generally a short taxi away, but what about when cuts move to outside and into countryside? Those homes only accessible by car would be difficult at 5days as the mother couldn't drive to clinic if alone

Queenofthebrae · 27/11/2016 21:12

Reading these posts I realise I must be very lucky. It's clearly a bit of a postcode lottery. The midwife came in to me for the 10 days (albeit not every day) but two did come in to remove some of my stitches when I was in pain. Since then the HV has visited twice a week at the start gradually reducing down to once a month after 3 months.

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