Shall I complain?!

[babygirlmama1]

I've got a new born who's 13 weeks now, becuase of the coronavirus we've recieved next to no medical care from any drs, nurses , health visitors etc!!

All new mums should have a 6 week check for themselves as well as a full check of the baby. When I asked for one my GP refused to see me and said he would do it over the phone only. On the phone he asked me am I ok and is the baby ok! I mentioned to him I wasn't feeling well and in a lot of pain and that as far as I was aware the baby was ok (as a first time mum I have nothin to compare it to!!) I mentioned I would like to come in and be checked over properly but again he refused!!

I called a few other dr surgeries in my area and all of them were offering face to face 6 week checks! They said that it was ridiculous that my GP was refusing! So I rang my surgery back and explained this and again they refused!

When I took my baby in for her 12 week jabs I asked the nurse to sign a form, she said it should have been signed at 6 weeks but when I explained that I hadn't seen any medical professional since giving birth 13 weeks ago she was disgusted and said to see the gp straight away as I was already in the surgery! So when I asked the receptionist she said no I couldn't be checked!!

I mentioned it to the health visitor over the phone and she said that it was against the law for them to not see me and check me over especially as I was experiencing some postnatal pain still!! She rang the drs for me and got me an appointment.

When I went in today, the GP was so dismissive and rude and when I explained my problems he said that wasn't his problem to deal with and when I asked him to check the baby he just looked at her and said she looks ok and signed the form!

I came out so angry that I as a first time mum am not getting the medical care I think all mums need and are entitled to! I explained to my HV about it and she encouraged me to complain to the surgery , NHS and the local MP!

Shall I complain or am I just being worried becuase I'm a first time mum and I thought I would get more support and care?!

I'm not sure what a complaint would achieve to be honest. Services are different during a global pandemic.

Yes I would complain OP that is disgusting!

Post natal care has been very patchy during in the pandemic and I do worry generally about the health and well being of mums and babies. However it seems you have had an appealing experience. Complain first to the practice manager, if you don’t get an adequate response, the next stage is usually to complain to the Clinical commissioning group for you area. Check the GP surgery website though, this will tell you how to complain

When my neighbour a few doors down had a baby last month at peak epidemic time, I saw the midwife still coming to see her at her house! I know this because she was my midwife too when I had my baby so you've been let down OP, I would complain.

Also when I missed my 6 week (or was it 8 weeks for me?), the first check after giving birth, my drs called me and explained the importance, for example some things parents can't detect themselves within a baby such as a heart murmur etc...

A complain would achieve giving the chance of letting the surgery and drs who dismissed OP to be more vigilant to the next new mum that might go to them...

I've had a similar rubbish experience. My postnatal check was over the phone, brief discussion about the pill, my mood etc.... I mentioned on the phone about my stitches as I had an cut made during labour. Felt almost like no shits given.
My vagina hasn't been checked since I got discharged from hospital. Paranoid something is wrong with it.
Went the following day to gp surgery so my son could have his jabs, she quickly checked him and did the 6 week checks at 8 weeks.
I asked about the pill to go back on and it was prescribed. Normally they are very strict and only give it if blood pressure is low. I asked if she would check me and I was told no as the check was just for the baby. As a first time mum I feel so let down x

Absolutely complain. That's shocking for them to be so dismissive.

Not all GP practices even do a postnatal check up so that's ludicrous of your HV to claim it's against the law. The midwives should have offered to check your stitches for you. I'd be somewhat alarmed if a GP wanted to check my vagina!

Fair enough that they didn't check baby given that the appointment was for you.

That said, I wouldn't be happy about the 6 week check being missed - can you enquire as to whether that's current protocol or whether you've just been missed somehow? And of course if you have any concerns then make an appointment.

The way the GP treated you during the appointment is a separate matter and I would complain to the practice manager about that