midwife appointments - no appointment (apart from booking in) until 24 weeks?

[BettyFriedansLoveChild]

Hi, I'm 18 weeks pregnant, and apart from the 12 and 20 week scans and a booking appointment at 13 weeks, I won't be seeing a midwife until 24 weeks. Is this unusually rubbish?

I thought you saw them at about 16 weeks?
Is this your 1st?

First or second baby?

I had a big gap this time between 16 week appointment and 28 week appointment, though with a 20 week scan in the middle. 1st pregnancy I think I had 10 week booking, 12 week scan, 16 week appointment, 20 week scan, 24 week appointment and then every few weeks from then.

Oh and on the back of my notes it says when all the appointments should be.

We have 16 week appts round here.

Thanks everyone. Second pregnancy, so knew the appointments would be a bit further apart, it just feels very hands off at the moment. I was told I couldn't have a 16 week appointment as it fell in the Christmas holidays! And I don't have a copy of my notes yet - I'm assuming I'll get them at 24 weeks.

I'd sort of expect a big gap mid-pregnancy. I'd be more concerned about not having your notes at this stage as you will need them if you have any issues that require seeing a HCP.

If your midwife is unhelpful, perhaps you could contact her manager or the supervisor of midwives at the hospital ?

If you want another appointment to replace the one you couldn't have, ask your MW for one. So far I've had booking in (10 weeks and 11 weeks - second one I was told I had to have and that's when we had the chat about breast feeding and everything, which was a tad strange so early!), then 15 weeks and I've got one this week, at 20 weeks (I've been I'll, and my MW wanted to see me again to check in how I'm doing). I've been told that I just have to ask whenever I feel I need to see her, do the same if you feel like you need it.

I agree with the others, they really should've given you your notes at your booking in appointment because if anything needs to be checked you'll need them.

They shouldn't just cancel your 16 week appointment because it's in the holidays - I've been seeing a midwife every two weeks for various issues and had my last appointment on NYE! I also have the phone number of the community midwives and can call them anytime if I have questions.

Lots of hospitals you see a midwife at the hospital clinic immediately after scan and they do your bp, test your wee, ask you how you are, etc.

Viva Do you know whether they tell you what to expect beforehand? I had my 20 week scan yesterday and had a pot of wee in my bag all day and then nobody wanted it. I pouted.

I agree they shouldn't have just cancelled your appointment, although it may have needed to be delayed a week with all the bank holidays.

If I were you I'd just call and make an appointment. You'll need your notes for the 20-week scan, surely?

I would book an appointment and get my notes (which really should have been given to you at the booking in appointment, I'm on my 4th DC and 3rd doctors and it's been done like every time). When you call up, don't ask for permission for an appointment, just tell them that you need one.

They do blood tests at the booking in appointment so I would have thought you should get those results at the 16 week appointment.

Although it's not good enough that you missed an appointment as it landed during the Christmas period- the same thing happened to me with my 34 week appointment.

Very poor service all round!!

Thanks everyone who responded. I can't quite face trying to make another appointment - when I tried to change the date of my booking appointment it took me several attempts to get through before anyone picked up, and many left messages with no response. Was finally told by a receptionist that if I called between 08.00 and 8.30 on a Monday morning I might be able to speak to someone who could help. I really don't have the energy go through that again, so will just sit it out to 24 weeks.

It's weird that you don't have your notes. Round here they get pretty snippy if you don't bring them with every time, and I've had mine since my booking in at 8 weeks.

You see, that's not really very good either OP, at this many weeks you ought to have your midwifes mobile number...I'd also forgotten that the yellow notes have a list of phone numbers for your local hospital antenatal department, you should have those numbers just in case.

I hate being told to call back between 8 and 8.30, it is the most stressful bit of the day if you have a school run to do.

I hope you get something sorted soon.