midwife!

[dribbleface]

Saw my midwife today, at 34 weeks, have been referred to consultant for low platelets, GP for anemia but not too concerned about that but....

Seeing GP at 36 weeks, consultant at 37 weeks, then midwife said 'then i'm away'. So any problems call unit. So won't see midwife again?? What happens if i go over? Am i right in thinking this is a bit off?

Surely there is more than one midwife though? Am I right in thinking that you think the midwife should not be allowed to go on holiday during your EDD?!

If you go over your due date you will see the consultant to discuss your options.

There was a cover midwife a few weeks ago when she was off but no mention of seeing anyone, will ask consultant when i see them i guess? If not i'll call surgery at 39 weeks and ask if cover midwife, just though they might check on me at some point during last 3 weeks.

Hi dribbleface , I too have low platelets that came up in bloods I had done at 30 wks, I have to have more blood taken at 35 weeks ( currently 34+2) then every 2 weeks- mw told me if they drop very low( below 100) I'll be referred to consultant... She didn't explain much else! Just that if they are below 50 on day I go into labour I may have to have a blood transfusion and won't be allowed an epidural.... Can u shed any light on this from your meeting with consultant?

Oh and regarding mw. I refused to see my mw at my surgery as she is incompetent so I go to an over flow antental surgery at a bigger docs surger. I have never seen the same mw twice and last time was seen in an office sat on a chair surrounded by files! Didn't lay down and baby's position didn't get checked! Am thinking I might have been better sticking to the one who ignore my calls, was useless regarding offering advice about parvovirus and chicken pox exposure in my school when I was under 12 wks.

They will have mws covering and I would demand the appointments you are supposed to have, the last mw I saw didn't want to see me again u til 37 wks as she said that my 36 wk scan( part of a research project) will cover that week.. Er no as they just do a 5 min scan on the data they need! Dont check urine, bp etc. So I've booked myself into mw for week 36 for my own reassurance!Oh and I wouldn't have known about my platelets if I hadnt had the lucozade challenge blood test which I only knew about as a friend of mine at the same hospital had it!grrrr i am writing a long letter of complaint to the local PCT about my care as it's my 1st pregnancy and I've been stressing all through it and basically doing my own care.

Sorry for the long waffle and rant!:(

• antenatal clinic even lol

If its your first baby, you should be seen by eithr midwife or docs at hospital at 36, 38, 40, 41 weeks. If second baby, its usually 36. 38 and 41 weeks. Just call the midwife and clarify, obviously she doesnt expect you to have no care when she is away, i imagine its a miscommunication.

second baby. will ask doctor when i see him at 36 weeks. to be honest she was pretty clear but we did have a lot to cover so she max have assumed i knew she meant to book with her later?

crazyalien06 - last pregnancy platelets dropped to 130 no action as not too low. this the dropped from 133 to 97 in 2 weeks hence referal. art far ar i know epidural not an issue until lower than 50, just extra monitoring. i think you should try your community midwife to be honest. sorry you have had poor care, last time i was treated poorly, this time much better. think it's luck of the draw.

excuse typo's but on phone.

If you have been referred to a consultant, expect to see them weekly from around 37w through to when you have your baby.
I am consultant led due to GD and high risk DVT. I have been at the day assessment unit followed by the Obstericians clinic at 33+1, 36+1, 38+1, 39+1, 40+1 (due date is a Sunday - clinic is on a Monday) and back there tomorrow at 40+3 for more check -ups etc.
I would ask at your 37w appointment, but I will expect this to be more likely.

If your hospital is like mine at each appointment you see the MW first (I go to day assessment unit for a trace and a scan (to check fluid as can reduce in GD), followed by seeing the Doc. Thus I haven't seen my community MW since 37+2 (I convinced the doc I did not have to go that week and she said ok as long as I saw my MW for a check-up (and after that there was not much point in 2 appointments every week when the community MW's are very stretched as it is).
The doc did an internal examination at 38+1, 39+1, 40+1 - to see what stage I was at and to see if I was starting to efface/dilate in case of induction, which they are planning for late this week due to GD. You might want to ask questions not only about appointments you will have but what they plan to happen at them.

Sorry I don't know any details about platelets etc and what happens to your care then.

Good luck

Well after sitting and worrying about my crap midwife care I had a moan and ta dah got an extra appt tomoz :) I can tell baby has moved but position wasn't checked last time. Am 34 + 5 tomoz so hoping this appt will be more of an enjoyable experience!

crazyaliens,
You could try going through PALs with your compalint

complaint rather