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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

3rd baby neglectful midwife??

46 replies

bundlebelly · 12/10/2010 19:17

I dont' know whether to ask to see my midwife a bit more often. Basically, third baby,22 weeks in, but the last time I saw midwife was in August and my next appointment is in November! She left saying to phone if there was a problem. There isn't really a problem, I feel ok, but I am high risk of GD as had it last time (undiagnosed until huge baby with classic gd problems). I'm seeing consultant in November too, (28 weeks test) but meanwhile I feel a bit abandoned. Surely she should be doing the wee test and taking my blood pressure? What do you think? I'd value some opinions as I quite distrust the professionals as they let me down last time, and she isn't the warmest of women. BUT I don't want to risk going through the same situation again. Had a terrible first week with last baby in special care due to the GD. Scared but don't know who to trust, and worried that she wouldn't really be any help anyway if I got in touch.

OP posts:

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2boysandbean · 12/10/2010 19:19

They have cut down the amount of appointments you get i got one at 15 weeks then none until 28 weeks

VivaLeBeaver · 12/10/2010 19:22

Sounds like standard pattern of appts for when its not your first baby. My local hospital check your BP and wee at your 20 week scan. Did you not have that done?

Original poster

bundlebelly · 12/10/2010 19:24

Is this a national thing? Is it just third babies?

OP posts:

DrMcDreamy · 12/10/2010 19:24

With your 3rd baby the NHS expects that you know when to seek advice and how to access this. It's a sad fact that you ARE being seen throughout your pregnancy just not by the midwife. You will have scans - 12/20 weeks, if your trust offer the 16 weeks screening test for Down's Syndrome you'll see someone then, you are being seen at 28 weeks by the consultant for your GTT. There is little the midwife could do for you between these appointments, so she will no doubt just pick up your care again once you hit the latter stages of pregnancy, keeping an eye on your baby's size and your blood pressure. She said that you may contact her if you have any concerns but I don't see what else you want her to do? It's not that you are not being seen by the medical profession at all in this time, you are, just not the midwife and all she would do - unless you had specific concerns is duplicate in many instances your other appointments.

By all means contact the midwife if you have a specific concern/question but please don't accuse her of being neglectful x

Original poster

bundlebelly · 12/10/2010 19:27

I didn't mean it as a personal thing against her, I just wondered if this was normal for a third baby.
I didn't have any wee test or blood pressure test at the 12 or 20 week scans.

Just worried about the glucose/protein in the urine test and the blood pressure. I'm sure they were tested once a month in previous pregnancy.

OP posts:

PictureThis · 12/10/2010 19:31

In view of your previous obstetric history I don't think it unreasonable to make an appointment to see the midwife to have a check up. To be honest, if you were a gestational diabetic last time I would have thought the consultant would have wanted to keep a closer eye on you anyway. Give the midwife a ring and have a chat with her about your concerns. I'm sure she'd be happy to see you.

mumbybumby · 12/10/2010 19:32

Same here - I last saw my midwife at 14 weeks and have been told to make an appt for 26 weeks. In the meantime I have also had to wait 'til my 22nd week for a scan (this fri). Given your previous experience I would be a little anxious too. I'd call up and book an appointment to put your mind at rest. I'm sure they wouldn't refuse!

Original poster

bundlebelly · 12/10/2010 19:34

Thanks. I think I just need a bit of reassurance. That first week after DS was born was the worst of my life. Blood sugar so low he was nearly in a coma after he was born, and hooked up to a drip and on anti biotics for days. It was terrible and I want to do anything I can to avoid that happening again. Consultant said it was standard practice not to test for GD until 28 weeks. Meanwhile I am worrying.

OP posts:

SweetCarolina · 12/10/2010 19:35

I had my 3rd baby 12 months ago and it certainly wasn't like this. I saw the midwife every 4 weeks till 28 weeks and then once every 2 weeks until she was born.

Doesn't sound good to me. Surely if you had GD in a previous pregnacy you should have at least been refered for a GTT?

mumbybumby · 12/10/2010 19:36

Forgot to say this is my second DC.

me23 · 12/10/2010 19:38

agree with drmcdreamy,
this is normal for 2nd and subsequent babies NICE guidelines reccomend a total of 7 appts, usually at
booking
16 weeks
28 weeks
34 weeks
36 week
38 week
41 week
you are having gtt with cons not much more mw can do, urine testing is not a very relible indicator for checking for diabetes.

unfitmother · 12/10/2010 19:39

Can you ask her if you need your urine tested?

Original poster

bundlebelly · 12/10/2010 19:42

Problem is last time she did do the urine tests, but the GD didn't show up, so I suppose even if she did do it I wouldn't trust it.

OP posts:

zandlt · 12/10/2010 19:52

It does sound like normal mw appointment for subsequent pregancy's. As long as you have the GTT at 28 weeks (you will get the results next day) im sure if its positive you will then be referred to someone else for further appointments/checkups (which may bring more stress with it )

hopefully - although it seems a long way off now - the same probs will not go overlooked again.

But you can always make an appointment to see ur mw to discuss ur concerns and kick up a fuss if you dont get answer you want

mrsbigw · 12/10/2010 19:59

Do you still have your glucose testing kit from last time? It might put your mind at rest to do the odd test now & then.

PictureThis · 12/10/2010 20:07

I'm surprised to be honest that you've not been treated as a gestational diabetic this time until proven otherwise.

xkatyx · 13/10/2010 13:07

Hi, im on my 3rd baby too and 22 week's, i also had GD in my last pregnancy.

I'm not sure where you live but here we have to be tested every 4 weeks for GD.

I had a app at 16 weeks and then thats it till 24 weeks i think. That is for everyonw not just 3rd time mummies.

I'm also very suprised you have not been looked after with the GD that is very negelctful, i would call up about that!

Original poster

bundlebelly · 13/10/2010 15:07

katy Do you get tested with the wee stick every four weeks, or a blood test? Sorry don't know what app is.
So worried. Just don't know what to do for best. The consultant advised me to stick to low GI diet as it might keep the GD at bay. Are you doing that too, or waiting till 'proper' diagnosis?

OP posts:

daisystone · 13/10/2010 16:07

DrMcDreamy - why are you giving the OP attitude? She is obviously worried.

I don't see what else you want her to do

and

don't accuse her of being neglectful

these are not helpful things to say. If she is worried then she is probably worried for a reason due to her previous pregnancies and she has said herself that her MW is not a particularly warm woman.

It pisses me off when women like you make another woman feel like she is being bothersome or needy.

Original poster

bundlebelly · 13/10/2010 16:17

Thanks daisystone I did feel a bit 'put in my place' by that post. Especially as it from a DR!! Tapped into all my insecurity about whether to ask for more reassurance and testing or not.

OP posts:

DrMcDreamy · 13/10/2010 16:21

Attitude? Seriously. Jesus wept.

I actually thought my post was quite reassuring and helpful and most of all, honest. I'll not bother in future. And I'm not a doctor, it's a character from a tv show. I am however a midwife so do have just a little bit of knowledge in the area. Sorry if you felt put in your place OP but that was not my intention. My last line was just a nice request not to accuse someone of 'neglect' which is a pretty strong accusation. I even put a kiss on the end. Bloody hell.

daisystone · 13/10/2010 16:43

You must be one of those lovely warm midwives then hmm?

JenaiMwahHaHaHaaaaah · 13/10/2010 16:57

Nope, I think DrMcDreamy's post was perfectly polite and helpful.

And the thread title does hint at the OP thinking her MW might be negligent.

I think there have been crossed wires, tbh.

Lulumaam · 13/10/2010 17:01

i think drmcdreamy's post was helpful in stting out how and why things are they way they are

and the OP did ask if the MW was being neglectful

thre is nothing stoppping the OP from speaking to her MW/gp or someone else involved in her care to discuss her concerns

Original poster

bundlebelly · 13/10/2010 17:08

drdreamy I did appreciate your professional opinion and good intentions and the kiss! Your post would be completely true if all the correct tests had been done at the other NHS checks as suggested eg at the scans. I can see how my subject title could be taken as a personal thing and is emotive, but I didn't mean it to be like that. I suppose when we only have words to communicate with, without facial expression, body language etc etc it is very easy for each word to gain more significance than it would have in a normal conversation. No offence intended I am sure for any of us. We are all here to support and help each other.

OP posts:

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