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Odd events at midwife apointment - should I be concerned?

14 replies

Pennies · 06/09/2005 08:30

Went for m/w appointment (27weeks) yesterday at my local health centre. The midwife who saw me had obviously been crying very hard and she explained on my entrance that she had just learnt that her father had died. I talked to her about whether she should be there and that she should just go home but she said no because she felt it was better for her to keep busy and she was concerned that there were so many people to see and not enough staff. So the appointment continued.

First thing she did was to ring up for my HIV results. All OK. Move on to BP, general well being etc. She then said that I was due to have some bloods taken for glucose and iron tests and I said that it was my plan to go to the hospital afterwards to get it done (they don't usually take bloods at the GP's and in m/w appointments). She said not to worry she would do it. I was pleased to be saved a trip on a hot day and a long wait at the hosp to be seen.

She then got a small Ariel Ultra tub from her bag and took out a syringe and needle - all wrapped up as normal. She then used a latex glove as a touniquet, and without swabbing me or putting gloves on herself she proceeded to take the sample. When she took the needle out it all got messy with blood down my arm and even onto my clothes.

I didn't say anything at the time (it all happened too quickly really for me to register) but subsequently the whole non-swab and lack of gloves thing has worried me. Could I have been exposed to anything from her?

Should I be worried and should I do anything?

Thanks

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
colditz · 06/09/2005 08:33

I seriously doubt you have been exposed to anything. I'd be concerned about a place that is so understaffed that a woman who's father has just died feels she must stay at work though.

It's up to you if you want to report it, you do have omething to report as she didn't follow procedure.

jessicaandbumpsmummy · 06/09/2005 08:34

my midwife took my bloods last week at home and didnt wear gloves or swab my arm....

colditz · 06/09/2005 08:36

I don't recall ever having my arm swabbed either.....

SleepySuzy · 06/09/2005 08:38

Swabbing your arm doesn't really matter, but wearing gloves is very important. (there has been lots of research done about swabbing, and it does not really do anything, some say it's worse)

Lizzylou · 06/09/2005 08:40

To be honest it's the thought that someone so distressed feels she has to be in work that I find odd...although I know how understaffed NHS is...also the Ariel Ultra tub...just doesn't look very professional IYKWIM, although I am sure it is fine..I hope the poor woman gets some time off soon.

Pennies · 06/09/2005 08:41

Is wearing gloves more for the patient's benefit or the medic's? Or both?

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Pennies · 06/09/2005 08:44

Agree with you Lizzylou but in reality I think she was in shock and not thinking straight - I'm not even sure if her colleagues knew about her bereavement. I think she had literlaly just got the call the moment before she called me in.

The midwives all come to the health centre from the hosptial so it's often a bit 'on the move' and they have to bring a lot of stuff with them. But the type of box did seem a little odd to me as well, a bit unprofessional.

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Lizzylou · 06/09/2005 08:45

Pennies, I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about...but agree that it was a wierd midwives appt!

Twiglett · 06/09/2005 08:48

as long as the syringe needle was wrapped up I wouldn't worry .. they don't swab as a matter of course now and at my very well equipped GP's surgery the nurse used a glove as a tourniquet .. she said people kept wandering off with the tourniquets

gigglinggoblin · 06/09/2005 08:50

sounds to me like she didnt have her head on straight, which is understandable. the ariel ultra tub sounds a bit odd, but is probably very practical and the right size for her bag or whatever she keeps in it. lots of mw and hv have little eccentricities which they have learned as an easier way of getting things done.

its very worrying that she felt she had to stay because of understaffing, but tbh i wouldnt complain. the staff situation isnt her fault and she will probably not be thanked for saying it to a patient. i dont thing she really deserves to be in trouble (especially atm) and thats the only likely outcome of a complaint

hoxtonchick · 06/09/2005 08:54

i had lots of blood taking during labour & they used a glove as a tourniquet in the delivery suite. the aeriel tub was probably keeping the needle clean from all the grunge in her bag.

Pennies · 06/09/2005 08:54

Just what I feel gigglinggoblin. Really felt for her yesterday and was cross at myself for not telling the receptionist that she was in such a state and asking her to see if she could help her at all.

I'm not looking to report her or anything or get her into trouble, it's just that I needed to know if I should be mindful of anything to do with my own (and my bump's) health as a result of this.

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Pennies · 06/09/2005 08:55

The glove as a tourniquet thing does't worry me (I thought at the time it was very resourceful) but it did demontrate that there were gloves available.

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nervousmum2be · 06/09/2005 10:26

As a nurse myself, so long as she washed her hands (either with soap and water, or with the alcohol gel) pre-procedure then it's not compulsory to wear gloves - sometimes it's easier not to, if the vein is hard to find. And yes, the glove-as-tourniquet has been long-used! As for swabs, it's a matter of personal preference for the health professional carrying out the procedure at the time. I'm sure you have nothing to worry about.

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