Baby Growth and Maternity Care

[planner26]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could help. I have had pretty crappy maternity care so far and am now 28w 5d. I was assigned a midwife when I found out I was pregnant that I was supposed to see throughout my pregnancy and call on for any advice - she doesn't answer my calls/ messages (so I gave up) and I haven't seen her for 18 weeks now (whenever I book an appointment with her i turn up at the door of different midwife every time).

Anyway,I have now had a few appointments which last about 5 minutes and midwife just takes my blood pressure and checks baby's heartbeat. I have read stuff on MN and in my books about midwives advising on the size of the baby but nooone has measured my bump/ felt baby size at all. I am getting a bit worried now, I have a definite bump but just anxious that little one is growing ok since 20 week scan.

What are other MNs experiences? Thanks a lot.

I only got measured for the first time at my 25 week appointment.

Are they also checking your urine at every appointment?

Hi japhrimel, yes they are and everything has been ok so far.

planner26 this sounds incredibly normal to me. Where I live in London the mws are very busy, I never see the same one, they just check bp and urine and send me on my way - I have never been measured and I'm over halfway through my second pregnancy .

Mws are pretty good at spotting if there are issues so the fact that they're not bothering you is a good thing. I'm assuming you had a longer booking in appointment at your first meeting?

I think it's very common to feel when you are pg that you should be being looked after on a more regular basis, but the NHS just doesn't find us that interesting until right near the end when I promise you, you'll be sick to the back teeth of being prodded and squeezed and having blood / urine taken and generally your body being public property. I expect that the fact that their not that interested is a very good sign that everything is fine. But if you are worried, does your hospital run a pregnancy helpline? I know mine does and they are used to first time mums asking questions.

Thanks novice, I think it is just that a couple of friends and SIL recently had babies in the area (not with my practice) and their experiences were totally different to mine. I did have a longer booking appointment though at ten weeks.

Thanks for putting mind at rest - am hoping she comes on time so I'm not prodding too much!

This is pretty normal I think especially as you are in that middle bit when everything is usually ok - any problems after the first trimester tend to develop later on and you should get seen more frequently once you get to 32/34 weeks. ARe you having shared cvare with the GP? - you can make an appt with them anytime to check the growth if you are worried.

Like you, am 28+5. Am receiving shared care between hospital and GP - but last was at hospital for 20 week scan. GP appointments every couple of weeks - they check blood pressure and urine, listen to baby's heartbeat and measure bump. Just ask them to measure if you are concerned!

For what it's worth, have never seen the same midwife or doctor twice! But it doesn't bother me - I am willing to talk about any pregnancy problems to anyone who will listen!