Midwife Appt Confusion....

[Pumble]

Have just tried to make one of my routine appointments to see my midwife but have been told that there aren't any appointments for three weeks and when I asked if I could see my GP instead was told to wait for midwife.

I agreed to the appointment that they have in three weeks. However, the receptionist then told me that I should cancel the appointment with the midwife nearer the time if I felt ok as there was no need to see the midwife unless I am not ok. I thought the whole point of routine appointments was that they were check ups but clearly my surgery has now decided that you shouldn't see the midwife unless you aren't ok. So, does this mean that if I feel fine (on the day that the midwife works) for the remainder of my pregnancy (I am 30 weeks) then I won't see the midwife again? I am really confused by it all and not sure what to do? This my first pregnancy hence the confusion and it hasn't been an easy pregnancy so far...

Any advice would be great. Thank you!

What did your midwife say last time you saw her?

Thank you for replying so quickly! She told me to see her/GP for regular appointments all the way through but then maybe this is just because that is what the NICE guidelines say - I don't know! Sorry for not really answering the question!

I would contact your midwife an ask what is going on, and if the information you have been given is correct. I thought you could seen more when it is your 1st but it may well have changed. When were you last seen?

If you are 30 weeks now and so will be 33 weeks by the time of the appointment that doesnt seem quite right. As nunnie asks it depends a bit on when you last saw mw. If you mean the preg hasnt been easy in medical terms then I would expect to see her a bit often too. Def agree ring midwife direct to ask. Also if you are worried about something in particular you can see the mw at local hospital (where you would have delivery). I have done this today and they were understanding that I couldnt see community mw. You can call them too to ask. Good luck!

Last seen by GP at 28 weeks and then should have been seen at 31, 34, 36 etc according to notes. Will try and give midwife a ring tomorrow and see what she says about it all. Probably being a neurotic first time mum, especially having had to unexpectedly spend Monday morning in hospital.

Cross posts there. Thank you all for telling me to phone the midwife... probably wouldn't have done it if nobody other than my DH had told me to but you have encourgaged me that it is probably the best thing to do. :)

No, not neurotic. You do need routine appointments to keep an eye on things like blood pressure etc.

I would ring the surgery again and ask to speak to the midwife or GP and get that appointment. Not for the receptionist to decide whether or not an appointment of this sort is needed (or leave that decision up to you). I am 31 weeks to and feel fine, but since I am not a doctor or a midwife, don't feel as if I can make up my own mind as to whether I need to keep my appointments or not.

think the receptionist is being ridiculous. not her/his place to say at all, especially when you are due an appointment, as per your pregnancy notes.

do call your MW to confirm appointments.

i've made practically all my appts direct with my MW either by phone or when i was at my previous appt.

Doctor's receptionists...hmm not my favourite group of people
You're entitled to regular check-ups with your midwife. I was seen at 30 and 34 weeks. I am now on fortnightly visits until i give birth (first child). It is written in my hospital folder that that is standard. Stick to your guns love and get the checks you deserve. They need to keep testing for protein in urine, blood pressure. Infact at my 34 week appt I had bloods taken again despite having good iron and blood sugar at the 28wk tests. They clearly do monitor these things closely and rightly so.

Go to the appointment, as you say it is a routine checkup.

I am a bit annoyed with my GP/hospital experience at the moment because at my 18 week GP appointment, which my midwife told me to book, the doctor said to me "we have asked the hospital to stop telling people to make these appointments" I felt like she was blaming me for being there.

If I hadnt gone to this appointment then there would have been 8 weeks between my 12 week scan and my 20 week scan with no bp/urine checks in between, I feel that is it too long between check ups.

As it is this 18 week urine test was the first test result I have been told about as she tested it while I was there. I have to wait for my 20 week appointment to get ALL the results from my booking appointment/12 scan!

absolutely you need regular checkups for BP, urine etc just general reassurance.

Thank you for all your replies.

I rang the midwife this morning and she said that I had to see the doctor next week as I couldn't see her. I telephoned the doctor and they said that they have no appointments with any doctors next week and so the only solution is to phone for an urgent on the day appointment. I am really pleased I now know what to do but do think that it is bizarre they have no appoitments next week!!

pumble glad you've sort of got a response.

Your GP surgery sounds v. weird - or is it the receptionist again? Have you thought about trying to make a Consultant appt at the labour ward if you can't get to the doctor?

when my MW was on hols, one of her colleagues saw me instead - in fact she took the initiative to call and arrange the appt.