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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:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

NormalityBites · 13/10/2010 17:14

I only had four appointments in my first pregnancy, and one scan (where they didn't do anything else) And the pregnancy went to 42 weeks plus. Which was annoying.

DrMcDreamy · 13/10/2010 17:23

Nay bother bundlebelly. I hope that everything goes well in the rest of your pregnancy and hope I haven't added any unnecessary stress where it wasn't required. I'm certain your midwife will not mind if you give her a call - or just schedule an appointment through your surgery. She will not mind at all.

And daisystone yep, I'm the best midwife I know

daisystone · 13/10/2010 17:30

Oh I'm just in a shit mood today for numerous reasons. One of which is that my male doctor is a total twat - sorry for the swearing.

I felt that you were putting OP down a bit and making her feel bothersome when she is genuinally worried. Nothing worse than worrying about something anyway and then feeling that you are bothering people when you ask for help.

Ignore me - I am heavily pregnant and totally bloody fed up with everything and everyone. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

DrMcDreamy · 13/10/2010 17:43

tomorrow will be a much better day. I always think Thursdays are better than Wednesdays. What is it that Joey in Friends says "Monday, One day, Tuesday, Two day, Wednesday, What? Where? When? Day"

My 7 month old is being particularly trying today so I'm not so far off the being heavily pregnant thing to have no sympathy at all. It's crap. And even worse. You might get a right hard ole bitch in labour like me to look after you

daisystone · 13/10/2010 17:46

ha! I'll run screaming

whizzymummy · 13/10/2010 17:52

Hi bundlebelly
I'm 17 weeks pregnant with 3rd but have had a pregnancy with complications already. I saw my midwife yesterday and had a chat with her about how if things progress if I get through the anomoly scan - that is at 21 weeks followed by a consultants appointment .. but I just said that I feel it will be a bit stressful to then go through a further 7 weeks until I'm seen for my next MW appointment.
She was really happy to book me an appointment imbetween simply for reassurance and said that the timetable they have is a guide only.
Sorry I haven't had time to read all the other posts and I'm sure someone else has said this, but do call and just ask if they can book you in a bit sooner.
Good luck :)

twowellies · 13/10/2010 18:07

Hello
I'm also pregnant with third. Considered a low risk pregnancy. DS1 is 3 and DS2 is nearly 2 so have experienced different appointment structures quite recently.

So far in this pregnancy I have seen ...
8 weeks booking in with midwife
(scan due to bleeding but less said the better about that experience!)
12 week scan
16 weeks with midwife
20 week scan - no other tests performed.
25 weeks midwife
27 weeks midwife (supposed to be 28 but on holiday!)
30, 33 and 36 weeks.

Seeing her again this week (37) due to finding glucose in urine. But not too worried as high sugar breakfast probably affected results! But would have been another 3 weeks.
First urine test at 25 weeks.

Hope this helps. It does feel like a long gap but they said the same to me as you - to contact them if I was worried.

xkatyx · 13/10/2010 18:32

hi sorry just got in.

app in appointment, i get a glucose tollerance test every 4 weeks at hospital, i havent been advised to eat any diffrent untill i actually have it.

Original poster

bundlebelly · 13/10/2010 18:48

of course, sorry being thick about app! is the glucose tolerance test you have the blood test each time? Or just the wee on a stick one?

OP posts:

cath476 · 13/10/2010 19:03

bundlebelly - I am pregnant with my 3rd ds and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes for the first time 3 weeks ago. I am (so far successfully) diet controlling it and I don't see that anything I am doing would be of any harm in a 'normal' pregnancy but would help to keep you blood sugars level. I am eating high protein and vegetables, carbs I am (mainly) taking from the low GI index and I am avoiding processed foods or anything like cakes, biscuits, chocolate etc. I have also switched white bread for wholemeal.
Also, if you want extra appointments then there is no reason why you can't book them - good luck x

Original poster

bundlebelly · 13/10/2010 19:10

Thanks cath how many weeks are you? Are you finding it ok doing without the processed stodge? It is all I am craving, yet I don't want to put myself and baby at any risk. And I haven't even been diagnosed yet! I'm being healthy, but having occaisional cake, then beating self up about it.

OP posts:

xkatyx · 13/10/2010 19:45

Sorry i should be more detailed, kids are now in bed lol

The tolarance test is a blood test, you have to fast for 12 hoursso i have mine early in the morning.

Then i go to hospital have a blood test when i get there, then drink a glucose drink, then have to wait 2 hours then have another blood test, its only a tiny amount they take.

I have that every 4 week's, last one was a bit high so i think the next one will prob push it over. Apparently 24 weeks is the norm if you are going to get it, so im not so confident so am now having some biscuits to consol myself.

But really you midwife should be checking, again it might be diffrent areas but i dont know why they would happily leave you.

JennyPiccolo · 14/10/2010 09:22

i've only had 5 appts for my first baby and i'm due next week.

Sake.

jammiedodger2 · 14/10/2010 11:47

Hi
I am 17 weeks with 3rd pregnancy (after a 7 year gap) and I was quite shocked by the reduction in the number of contacts I was offered as I am also quite high risk as I have a history of heart problems when pregnant. Like you seen at 16 weeks, scan at 20 weeks (but not seen by anyone apart from sonographer so no bp etc) and then midwife/consultant at 28 weeks.
I spent about 2 weeks stewing about it and then decided to chat to my midwife about my concerns when I saw her for my 16 week check.
she was great and said pretty much, if you're woried come see me or text me, if your symptoms start see your gp. Completely put me at ease.
Might be worth giving her a call. If you've had a scare in your previous pregnancy it doesn't matter which number pregnancy this is, you are going to have the potential to be anxious and as health professionals it is our job to try to relieve that as much as posible. You will probably find your midwife feels the same.
jx
(health visitor)

queenofthehouse · 14/10/2010 13:31

I am in my second pregnancy and 35 weeks now, I was told in Oxfordshire It's procedure however I'm going to hospital in the west midlands so I will have 10 and I'm 25 years old no problems last time. So it must be a regional thing because after 12 weeks scan you should be seen monthly to monitor growth, luckily they didn't neglect me ams at 25 weeks I was sent for a growth and liqour and they would never have determined a problem until 28 wks if I had not (luckily it was fine but you see my point.) Also the book I have been issued bf nhs lists 10 appointments and can I point out that every pregnancy is different and a lot of women myself included find difficulties in one that they never experienced in the other because you have had one baby or even two does not make you an expert. I agree that post by mcdreamy was a tad abrupt but some people just are and I've met many midwives who are cold but also many that are brilliant. It is definitely not unreasonable to contact your mw and talk through your concerns over your GD I definitely would as even if there Is no need to see her more (doesn't sound right bug I'm not an expert) she should at least have gone through procedure with you and put your mind at rest. In terms of being neglectful whether it is just the system or not my midwife has told me if I gave a concern or just would like to see her more then just do that, she's a little forgetful but she's nice and I trust her which is what you seem to need in a mw don't let anyone make you feel neurotic, or needy all the good midwives I've met are very quick to help u, advise, reassure and make sure that you are as comfortable and informed as possible. Bit of an essay but I'm with daisystone and the OP, whether you like it or not you have a good midwife if you get support and all your questions are answered and procedures are followed correctly I know the kind I'd prefer to deal with.

queenofthehouse · 14/10/2010 13:36

Excuse the spelling in last post my phone is predictive text and touch screen so it has a mind of it's own-that's my excuse anyway ;) xxx

Original poster

bundlebelly · 14/10/2010 16:14

Thanks everyone for your advice and support.

OP posts:

tanmu82 · 14/10/2010 21:31

I'm in Oxfordshire too and was told that the number of apps for 3rd time around has been cut. Baby number 3 is due in less than 3 weeks and it has been 6 years since my last DC was born (in another county too). I was a bit surprised at the lack of contact, though this pregnancy has been plain sailing. It just seemed like such a long time between appointments. We do have a MW drop in clinic though, but the one time I tried to go (because I couldn't make my scheduled app and the MW was fully booked) I had to leave without being seen as it was running so late and I had to get the kids from school.

Kathsunn · 15/10/2010 10:28

Just to add -- I don't know anything about GD, but I would make an appointment to see midwife/GP at 25 wks so that they can at least do your health in pregnancy grant form.

I am on no.3 as well and there is less contact, this time. But I would think the GD would mean they would like to keep a closer eye on you. Good luck!

Madhouse41 · 15/10/2010 11:01

Hi bundlebelly. I'm 36+ weeks pregnant with number 4 after a 7 year gap and I'm also 41! I was really shocked at the amount of times I have been seen this time round. Having had a pretty uncomfortable pregnancy due to an ectopic previously which ruptured and a slipped disc, I too felt slightly abandoned.

I did, however, go to see my GP on a couple of occasions when I was worried and she was great. She reassured me and tested my wee and took my blood pressure. They even took bloods for me once as I was so tired. Why not call your GP for a little reassurance.

Rev084 · 17/10/2010 23:23

Seems like an awfully long time to wait between appts, even if it is your thrid pregnancy - every pregnancy is different, my mum had severe preeclampsia with my youngest sister.

I've only had one baby, pregnant with my second. Thought midwife was every 4wks until the last trimester. Did she do a risk assessment? Are you considered 'high risk'? One of my friends was - second baby, over 35 with asthma. She saw midwife every 4wks with a consultant appt inbetween those.

I think it depends where you live, the town I lived with my first baby was great for antenatal care. Where I live now seems to be a bit rubbish. Your midwife must be over subscribed. Don't feel that your GP can't deal with any concerns you have, mine was great in my first pregnancy, better than the midwife. Also your local antenatal day unit at the hospital deal with concerns once you're over 20weeks.

Take good care of yourself and stay healthy.

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