Guest post: “Midwives and maternity teams are working hard to make sure maternity services continue to be personal and safe”

[BojanaMumsnet]

I know that many of you are feeling anxious about being pregnant and giving birth during this uncertain time. But I want to reassure you that midwives and maternity teams up and down the country are working hard to make sure maternity services continue to be personal and safe during this period.

We know that the NHS is under pressure at the moment due to COVID-19, so some local teams are making adjustments to keep you and your baby safe. Some appointments may now take place over the phone or by video call. Some women may need to have their babies in a different place to where they had planned, and they may see staff wearing protective clothing.

As anyone who has ever given birth or worked as a midwife will tell you, when a baby is ready to be born, he or she will never wait - our midwives continue to always be prepared , willing and very able. Since 30 January, I have seen first-hand how midwives have encouraged women who feel nervous about attending appointments to do so.

Every maternity unit has amplified their efforts to engage with women above and beyond their usual practice, such as the , who, despite wearing masks, smile with their eyes to reduce the anxiety that PPE may create for some women.

But, whatever the changes made, I really want to address some of the concerns that I know are worrying many of you.

Firstly, it's vital that you have a midwife with you when you are birthing, to ensure that both you and baby are safe. I want to reassure you that maternity services are completely separate to general NHS services in hospitals treating coronavirus patients, so the risk of catching coronavirus from these patients is minimal, as well as from other pregnant women with coronavirus symptoms, who are cared for in another dedicated area in the maternity unit.

We also know that having a trusted birth partner present throughout labour is known to make a significant difference to the well-being of you in childbirth. At times like this, when coronavirus is heightening anxiety, that reassurance is more important than ever. While we support decisions to restrict access to birth partners who have, or are suspected of having, coronavirus in order to safeguard both the health of the woman and the maternity staff supporting her, NHS Trusts should continue to follow guidance allowing asymptomatic birth partners access to the maternity unit during labour and birth.

But most importantly, I want you to know that the NHS is still here for you and has gone to great lengths to ensure the safety of you and your baby. If you’re worried about your health or that of your baby, or you have a concern, no matter how minor, please contact your midwife just as you always would, and if you’re asked to come in for a planned or urgent check, it’s vital that you do so.

If you get coronavirus symptoms, they are likely to be only mild or moderate, such as a cough or a high temperature, and the rate of contracting the virus is no higher than the general population, so please contact your midwife or maternity team who will advise you about what to do next. If you have coronavirus symptoms when having your baby, then you will be cared for in a dedicated area in the maternity unit with a midwife. This is to keep you and everybody who uses or works in our services as safe as possible.

Don’t forget to go to keep up-to-date with all the latest coronavirus pregnancy and birth advice at //www.nhs.uk/pregnancy-and-coronavirus, which has links to helpful resources, including a range of leaflets and an .

Good luck and don’t forget - your midwife is always there to help you!

The Chief Midwifery Officer's team will be able to respond to some questions next week.

[Dogssox]

I should add to that I am in Scotland.

[Dogssox]

Sorry to see all the negative experiences here.
I had a baby in May amidst the lockdown. My whole pregnancy and planned c section I had a very good experience, much better than previous experiences at another hospital.
I was happy (and extremely so due to past birth expectations) and found the NHS staff to be very appoachful and 100% focused on amazing care while following ppe guidelines.

[MummyShark97]

As lovely as my community midwife is, as a first time mum I feel completely abandoned. I saw my midwife at booking in and won't see her again till 28 weeks. I'm left guessing about whooping cough vaccine, MatB1, dentist exemption etc etc No antenatal classes...(going to source them ourselves via zoom) Could go on and on. As many others have said, surely we should be receiving at least as much care! So much has been cut out. This is what our tax goes on ladies.

[TheGoldenApplesOfTheSun]

You might want to sign this petition to include partners in appointments and scans:

www.change.org/p/nhs-expand-maternity-care-during-lockdown-for-mothers-and-partners-whilst-lockdown-eases

Thousands of signatures already. It's ridiculous to me that my partner, who has been isolating with me since March and lives in the same household, could meet me (and a dozen strangers) without a mask in Tesco's or at a garden centre but can't come into a scan to support me even wearing full PPE!

I should not have to pay for private medical care for us both to have the reassurance of seeing a scan or asking questions to the consultants!

[RobynNora]

Just wanted to add as well that all pregnant women here are doing amazingly well and shouldn't be afraid to speak out if they've had a poor experience. I was reluctant to mention my experiences to anyone as I didn't want to be perceived as 'anti NHS' or undermine anyone's work at a horrible time like this. But we still deserve access to quality ante natal care.

On the recommendation of someone on this thread, I've just sent my comments and some recommendations to my local Maternity Voices group. We're the end users of maternity services and living in unprecedented times so hospital trusts don't necessarily know what we're going through unless we tell them.

We can definitely join the NCT, self educate and keep hassling for the care we deserve (I've done all), but not all pregnant women are in a position to advocate for themselves - maybe they are under confident, really young, speak English as a second language etc. Everyone should get good care without fighting for it and it shouldn't be a postcode lottery.

[LeSquigh]

I thank my lucky stars that I am not pregnant at the moment. Whenever I see a pregnant woman out and about my heart sinks for her being in this position right now. Maternity services in this country are appalling. I have two children, both pregnancies and births had various difficulties. My community midwives (in separate areas) were brilliant but I don’t have much good to say about midwives in hospital, especially post natal, which on both occasions was like a cattle market.

[Edemummy]

So strange to read all the bad experiences, sorry you've all had a terrible care. I would however keep calling my midwife if I felt I wasn't seen enough.
I am only 13 weeks, so far I had a booking in first appointment over the phone, I am glad I didn't have to go to a hospital unnecessarily. I then had an appointment for bloods and scan at 12 weeks. Yes it was sad not to have husband with me but I understand why it is necessary. They've let me take a little video if my moving baby instead which I shared with my husband and family and friends. I have another appointment in a couple weeks time. It's my second so I am quite chilled, I don't remember having too many appointments in the beginning of my first pregnancy either. I did want much more information first time around so I joined an NCT group. I think the midwives do the best they can and I am understanding of the current situation and don't want to create unnecessary demand on services if everything is going well with me.

[fedupandlookingforchange]

My care has been fine. I had a telephone booking in appointment and then went in for bloods, thought I was further on than I initially thought so saw a midwife at the end of the bloods appointment, scanned the next day.
Telephone consultant appointment but I only needed an agreement for a c section no issues during pregnancy. I've had another scan and two more midwife appointments. I've had to call the midwife and hospital once and they were really good. The care has been as good as last time.
It unfortunately care seems very patchy across the country, I'm in an area of low birth rates so maybe that makes a difference.

[LJC1234]

I'm 37 weeks and have such a mixed experience!

I've been almost lucky ( can you call it that) because I've been suffering with anxiety so although all my appointments were initially cancelled including scans because I was considered high risk. Due to anxiety they have been re instated and been face to face again since 30 weeks .

Initially when they cancelled everything I felt so lost. My trust cancelled all appointments so essentially from my 20 week scan to 36 weeks I would have seen no one. Thankfully for me that's changed and I cannot fault the care I have received it's been incredible but I wish it had not just been offered due to my anxiety and I feel for all the other mums to be that haven't had appointments re instated

[firstbabybell]

@mvdorset I'm with you. Consultant appointments are not the same as midwife appointments & are designed to achieve totally different things surely?!

I have been waiting a week now for a call back from my midwife who I have never met despite chasing.

It's great some people feel looked after but I feel the opposite.

Luckily I am not "vulnerable" but I feel for women who are.

[Ladybyrd]

For PP saying how awful it is that partners get kicked out straight after the birth, I know to some extent it's hospital specific, but that isn't the case with mine, and never was apparently.

I went for my pre-op assessment yesterday and was told my partner would be allowed to stay for at least 2-3 hours after the birth. The nurse said it's been like that all along, but she keeps hearing stories that panic and everyone.

My partner won't be allowed on the maternity ward, but that's fair enough. Last time I was in with women who had all had c sections and their babies. They've all been tested, but partners haven't. I find it reassuring there won't be every Tom Dick and Harry wandering around when we're all there recovering from surgery with our newborns.

I do feel sorry for people who are going to through their first pregnancy. I have had several extra scans this time but first time around, there seemed some huge gaps between appointments, when you're desperate to know everything is alright. My MW seemed more than happy to ditch the telephone appointments ASAP though. I think, first time around, I would have been going a bit crazy not being seen in person.

[MVDorset]

That “nurse” doing your blood pressure is a midwife, you have seen one. You are consultant led having growth scans, you have no reason to see the community midwifery team, what care do you think you have missed? Your consultant should be doing everything the community team do plus more.

Community midwife care is about so much more than checking BPs and urine. Mothers are much less likely to be able to open up about their emotional wellbeing or have a supportive discussion about birth plans or infant feeding with a consultant. I was consultant led but still had a community midwife and the content of those appointments was completely different.

And it’s likely that the person checking BPs in clinic right now is an MCA or MSW, not a midwife. But that’s all beside the point - if women feel that their care is lacking and they haven’t had the opportunity to talk things through with a MW, that is valid and impacts their perception of their care, even if technically they have had contact with a MW. We need to know these things so things can be improved.

[Helbelle17]

I'm in Lincolnshire and can't fault the care that we've had. I'm an older mum, so had extra growth scans and none of my appointments were cancelled. I saw my community midwife as usual.
Baby is now 6weeks old and we had to have extra checks due to baby's weight loss. We opted to go to the new community midwife clinic instead of them visiting at home. Nothing was too much trouble and I've felt very confident and very much cared for.
I'm sorry that has not been the case for everyone.

[Ladybyrd]

This is my second baby. I'm booked in for a c section on Friday.

A couple of the MW appointments were by telephone rather than in person. I've been to my scans on my own. Nevertheless, I've felt just as supported as I did the first time around - MW always underlining the importance of calling if I felt something was up and keep asking how I was emotionally.

I realise this may not be everyone's experience, but to me they've been friendly, kind, and generally pretty amazing, considering they're going out every day putting their health on the line. I feel nothing but gratitude and respect personally.

[LesbianMummies]

@Rosabuddy That “nurse” doing your blood pressure is a midwife, you have seen one. You are consultant led having growth scans, you have no reason to see the community midwifery team, what care do you think you have missed? Your consultant should be doing everything the community team do plus more.

[Blackforesthotchoc]

36 weeks pregnant. I've had my booking in appt, 12 and 20 week scans and one consultant appointment. Thats it, virtual or not. The whole health service has lost its fucking mind over a virus that is of essentially no risk to the vast majority of women who need to access maternity services.

[MVDorset]

I would urge you all to contact your local Maternity Voices Partnership (if you have one) to give feedback on these experiences - Maternity Voices chairs and representatives are working really hard at the moment to represent the voices of parents within maternity services.

Google your area plus Maternity Voices or have a look on Facebook - in Dorset we have a Facebook page and a new group and are currently running a survey to capture feedback, many other areas have the same.

[Secretsout]

lockdownpregnancy the mum and baby should have been seen on day 6 (counting day of birth as day 1) as the baby has to have the newborn screening bloods done. This is a national screening programme and cannot be missed.

They should also have been seen to discharge them from care around day 14.

Where I work we're also doing 2 or 3 calls in between. The health visitor also calls as does the BF support workers

[lockdownpregnancy]

Just to add to earlier post on this thread, my
Cousin had her baby in April and she hasn't seen anyone! No check ups in her or the baby! No midwife or nurse round to check on them both, nothing!
My other friend had her baby and is suffering with severe postnatal depression and they've slapped her on tablets and no one has bothered with her! Absolutely disgusting! The mental health was strained before the pandemic and I have known women to take their own lives because of PND so I'm super concerned for her and her overall wellbeing.
She also had a C-Section and I don't believe anyone has been checking her over either!
I'm due September and whilst everything has been ok for me (physically) so far, as I said earlier due to my ongoing mental health issues I'm terrified I'm just going to be left and have no help! Where's the support?
You can't have your partners with you in the hospital so you are just totally alone! So sad 😢

[crazychemist]

It makes me really sad to hear these stories. I don’t think it’s the same in different areas - I’ve had no issues with my care so far (Kent). My booking in appointment was in person - it was originally going to be by phone with me having blood tests in hospital on a separate date. When I said I would rather skip the blood tests (not my first child, so some of the tests I already knew the results for, I’d had a full blood panel with my GP 2 weeks before I conceived (by coincidence) and I judged it wasn’t worth going into hospital to get the other results as they wouldn’t change any decisions I’d make), they phoned back and said if I did my booking in appointment in person they could do my blood tests at the centre. At my 12 week scan, it was found that I am expecting monochorionic twins, and a midwife came to speak to me straight after the scan, and I’ve got regular follow up appointments. I’m very glad that I’ve received good care so far. I’m really saddened to hear that this isn’t happening for lots of other people.

[EnlightenedOwl]

I honestly think the only way to access care is by private means. Same for schooling as well actually. But what if you can't afford that

[RestorationInsanity]

I have seriously considered hiring an independent midwife to obtain some frequency, and more importantly, continuity, of care. However, as there is currently a limit to one birth partner and this may not change before my due date, I'm reluctant to incur the cost if they can't support me at the hospital. The alternative would be to give birth at home, which isn't my preference, but at the moment feels like a more reassuring and familiar environment.

[RobynNora]

I hate to be anti-NHS at a time like this and have honestly tried so hard to be positive, but my experience very much echoes others here. I'm another first-timer and have been shocked by the poor standards of care.

Aside from a 15-min booking-in call that was basically a hurried, impersonal questionnaire with no time for questions, I've not really spoken to anyone in a couple of months apart from a couple of sonographers - one of whom was in a really bad mood.

I've had problems with all my urine samples coming back as inconclusive, which I wouldn't have known about if I hadn't spent ages chasing up and repeating of my own accord. The problem still hasn't been resolved and it's been months now. Every time I call, my community midwives are clueless and try and get me off the phone asap. They sound so busy and frequently give the wrong information. The last midwife I spoke to told me my sample was fine and clear; info which was contradicted by my hospital the next day when I checked. Another told me that if I was asymptomatic I should forget about it and not bother with another sample (again, info that was contradicted by both my hospital and GP) I'm usually pretty easy going but I have very little faith in the quality of care I'm receiving and am surprised how much I have to advocate for myself. Like others, my 16-week phone appointment for which I was saving all my questions was cancelled, but nobody told me this.

Like another poster here, I've also been given conflicting info about my due date, which was changed without explanation at my 20-week scan. I've tried to find out why and nobody can offer an explanation. I dropped the subject immediately, as it feels too much hassle to engage with my midwives. I'm hoping it's not a big deal.

It's tough being pregnant during a pandemic and I've had COVID anxiety on top of standard pregnancy anxiety/hormones - esp back in March when less was known about effects on pregnant ladies and we thought maternal outcomes might be similar to SARs ie. very poor. Nobody has once asked how I'm doing. In fact, I've encountered a fair number of staff who are rude and grumpy! The last time I went to my clinic to give a sample, nobody even returned my hello when I walked it! I sympathise to the extent that staff are stressed and scared too, but there's a well-documented link between pregnancy and mental health issues, so I don't think this should be acceptable.

I'm sad and sorry to hear of everyone else's experiences. I thought this might be unique to my own part of east London. I hope everyone gets the care they deserve.

One of the best parts about my pregnancy has been the amazing community here on MN. In the absence of reliable NHS care, I've asked lots of questions here and used the forums extensively. Women here have been so generous with their time and responses.

[ShirleyPhallus]

Having given birth in lockdown my experience was that the midwives did as well as they could do but woefully understaffed and under prepared

I’d advise everyone who is pregnant now to check what the post-natal care will be like. I’ve been disappointed at how little support has been offered after the event - no physical check for csection scar, no HV appointments, BCG info missed entirely etc. Find out what you need to know for when the baby is actually here, now.

Interested to hear further responses

[Glendaruel]

I'm a ftm but had two previous miscarriages. Didn't know quite what to expect. I think staff have been trying but they are stuck with system. Most appointments have been on phone where you feel like you're going through a script with a call centre.
My 12 week scan was really difficult, partner sat in car. I burst into tears in front of two strangers at beginning of scan. They were nice and understanding when I told them that I had never seen a live baby before and lost my previous at last scan, all was well this time but really missed my partners support and doubt he will be allowed to come to 20 week which is hard for him.

Got phone call at 15 weeks and told to stop my medication without conversation on alternatives. I had to point out that stopping the medication that kept my asthma in check at time of year when I got bad wasn't good idea. Midwife then had to ring off and go speak to consultant who had given instruction. Fortunately I had already discussed with gp so felt confident in questioning this.

I know it's difficult time, but I've heard negative experiences from others. I'm a confident, educated women with no problems in my life. Not everyone is and I worry how many people are falling through the cracks.