'Deviation from protocol' & weekly bloods from 37 weeks for my HBAC???

[JustKeepSwimming]

I am feeling v aggravated after my MW appt today:

• had to see the 'other one' of the pair, who happens to be younger (not sure if that's relevant but i feel a lot more comfortable with the older one), who i've managed to avoid for months.

• asked if i'd seen the consultant & been to my VBAC clinic appt (like a good girl..) I explained i'd cancelled both, said there was nothing wrong with me and i didn't need to see a Cons (older MW had agreed with me on cancelling as all they'll say is no to HBAC so why bother going)

• insisted on writing it into my notes that i'd cancelled those appts

• then said she'd have to speak to her 'supervisor' (have no idea who this is, should have asked!) and from previous experience with one lady who had an HBAC, she would want to take blood weekly from 37 weeks ; she had absolutely no logical explanation for this despite extensive questioning from me, so i've said no!

• then said she'll have to fill in 'deviation from protocol' paperwork (other MW not mentioned either of these weirdnesses), i said you fill in whatever forms you like! But don't rush the paperwork as i don't want to raise my profile with anyone at the hospital

I think i will have to ring and try to leave a message/speak to the older one to query what on earth is going on.
The good news is that i'm due back there in 2 weeks and the younger one is on holiday then, so hopefully will see the older one.

The bloods thing - she kept talking about 'cross-matching' but I said I know I'm O+ & it's on my notes so why does that need to happen? And anyway, what does it have to do with HBAC? I've said no and she has accepted this thankfully but I'm still bemused by it as a 'plan'.

Sounds like she's trying to scare you about post partum haemorrage and needing a transfusion. From what you've said you know the risks and are being very sensible about it all. She's probably worried about being sued or disciplined for not risk assessing properly.

You're probably right, and she knows I've talked through all of the risks with the other MW - who is totally head screwed on right and down to earth.

I still don't get though, say I did have PPH and needed a transfusion, how would having 3(ish) vials of my blood in some lab help in any way?

sounds like she was covering her back and creating a paper trail - so she needs to record that you've been advised x but refused and insisted on y etc. that way you can't come back and sue her later on. fwiw I found the consultant meeting to be fine - we advise.... thank you but I choose ..... ok then I'll just write that down .... all signed off

never heard of the bloods thing - think she might have been making that up/getting confused?

I don't think it would, it's just part of the worrying you process. In her defence she is legally responsible for any neglect at the birth that causes long term problems for the baby and can be sued for up to 21 years (in order for your baby to have the chance to sue themselves and not just rely on you doing it on their behalf).

My mum was a MW and opened a bottle of champagne the day the last baby she delivered had their 21st birthday!

I thought this would be you JKS as I've just read our ante-natal thread.

Speak to the older MW tomorrow to give yourself peace of mind, but deep down you know that the younger MW is talking out of her arse.

The problem is it's quite easy to have a wobble when going for a VBAC, and what you don't need is a twitchy MW as they don't inspire confidence. You need to suround yourself with positive people and thoughts and a meeting like this can be devestating. However don't despair! The older MW sounds lovely and I'm sure after a chat with her you'll feel much better about the situation.

Is there a chance the younger MW cold be in attendance when you go into labour?

I agree about MW covering her back, she has to document that she advised you different, but she's not taking choices away from you the way I read it.

I'm sure the bloods have to do with risk assessment for you & PPH -- you can just decline the bloods (I would have, although tbh I don't think I'd brave HBAC, but am a wuss in some respects).

I neglected to tell MW I'd had a pph with baby 3... it was a small pph, I didn't get any more treatment for it than an iron prescription (I threw away) and it turned out that I barely bled at all with baby 4, so would have been a complete red herring, lot of unnecessary fuss.

Happycamel - i like the image of your Mum toasting her last baby growing up! but all those years of possible worry, nightmare.

I wonder how much of today's appt was because there was a hospital MW there too - not sure why tbh. But maybe she felt she had to be seen to be following 'protocol' even more than normal?

Though the hosp MW mentioned she had a HB :)