Appointment struggles....

[Rowanhart]

Im 17 weeks today, but so far only seen midwife (and was told wasn't going to me my proper one) once.

I also have Menieres Disease-an inner ear disorder-and was told I'd have consultant care, but no ones been in touch.

It took me a month to get an appointment after finding out I was pregnant and then had to call at 12 weeks as hadn't had an appointment in for first scan. Managed to squeeze me in following week.

I've called three times to the midwife centre now and each time I've been told to call back after 4pm. When I do the phone is engaged until 5pm then a recorded message clicks in.

I wondered if anyone else is suffering similar problems?

Mine are nice enough in person, but my antenatal clinic is a pain in the backside to get to and they never seem to get back to the answer phone message system they use! You are not alone.

Phone in the day again. When they tell you to call back after 4, refuse! Tell them you've tried this several times and can't get through. Ask who ever answers the phone to take a hand written note to the midwives with your name and number on it.

When you finally get an appointment, book your next one with them there and then.

Insist. Seriously, don't take no for an answer. I'd also recommend you take a list of any questions etc with you each time you go in case you forget anything.

Thanks all. I'm going to call tomorrow and do the insist on leaving a note thing.

I've just been told by a friend that te cuts are resulting in much higher patient numbers per midwife meaning if you nor fight you don't get.*

*wanders off to find boxing gloves....