Overdue and annoyed at MW/hospital....! Can someone answer questions?

[Jennlx]

I don't know whether I'm just being a stroppy cow as I'm overdue or whether I have a good argument against my hospital/MWs. I am currently 41 + 1 weeks and no sign of baby (due Boxing Day). Last hospital appointment at 36 weeks went very much like all of them - they were running very late and rushed out the door in about 5 mins. There was no question of any future appointments and I got a cheery "see you at the birth then!". At 40 weeks and no baby, I thought that it was all a bit strange that I had no future appointments booked in (previously had DS in another hospital and had appointments pre-booked right up to 40 weeks). When I rang, they couldn't fit me in until this Thurs, when I will be 41 + 3 weeks. I have never been able to get through to the actual antenatal office and they do not respond to voicemail. I have no idea what will happen during the appointment on Thurs - will I be offered a sweep? When do they start inducing?

no hun..your not being a stroppy cow at all. That all just sounds awful..You have everyright to be imformed of appointments and what treatment you will be getting at your appointments. I would like to think that they may give you sweep and check you over to make sure both you and baby are ok. And give baby a chance to arrive naturally and book another appointment say 3/4 days later if nothing has happened by then to be induced. Good luck i hope baby arrives very soon for you

Ring the hospital switch board during office hours and ask to be put through to the head of midwifery, or women and children's services.

You should have been given a follow up appointment by your 40th week and no later.

It is appalling that they will not see you before 41 plus 3.

Put your complaint in writing too.

If you have any concerns about your baby's movement (is he/she kicking/moving?) turn up at the labour ward and ask them to check you over.

Get hold of anyone GP, nurse, another hospital, even walk into A&E anyone. You need to get in to see someone, sharpish. There are risks involved in going too long overdue.

Thanks for your advice - I rang through hospital switch and made a hysterical scene and they put me through to the antenatal department, who actually answered the phone. They've rushedly offered me an induction on Friday, which I have accepted and am keeping my appointment on Thurs too as they have none sooner. I will also put this complaint in writing - it's turned my pregnancy into a huge stress at the end! Apparently I've missed all chances for a sweep now! They tried to blame me for it all ("it's your second birth after all") but my DS arrived on time so I never had to deal with any of this and had no idea. Stupidly, I should have asked more questions at my last appointment but I sort of got swept away with it all....

Thanks for all your advice! x

I would be pretty annoyed too, it must be really worrying for you not knowing what is going on. I was due on 30th Dec and have been seen fortnightly since 34 weeks. At my 38wk appt my midwife told me to attend the antenatal drop in for a sweep on my due date if I had not had the baby yet. Unfortunately baba is too comfy in there so I've been asked to go back this Friday for another sweep :(
I was advised that I would then have the option to be induced at 42wks if that does not get things moving. This is my first so not sure what the usual procedure is but I imagine it should be fairly standard across the NHS. Hope you get sorted soon hun as it is so boring waiting for something to happen and focusing on the sweeps has at least given me hope that it might happen soon :)

I'm in the same sort of boat. Am 40 weeks and can't get an appointment with anyone until next week and that's only the GP. No space with community mw, hospital don't want to know and assessment unit aren't answering their phone. I was induced with DD so I've no idea what 'spontaneous' involves and am a bit worried about it.

Good luck OP :)

Definately put in a written complaint! It shouldnt matter if its your 1st or 4th baby its their job to make sure your seen and looked after properly.

Im 40+3 just now. Have been seen on a weekly basis since 38w. Had a sweep by consultant last week and the mw will repeat it again tommorrow. Mw will also book me in for induction for next week.

Hope all goes well for you when your time comes x