Have you got a named midwife?

[Loopylouu]

I've not seen the same one twice.

Had three appointments, booking at 12 weeks, 16 weeks and 28 weeks. All appointments have been very short. I get seen at the clinic at the hospital.

I have a general phone number for the midwives advice line and a number for the labour ward. I had some problems at 17 weeks mad the advice for here/friends was call your midwife. Well, I called the advice line and was just told to go to A&E if there was any problems. I wouldn't know how to call a midwife if I had to, let alone 'my' midwife!

Just wondering what others experiences are?

I do, and I've seen her at every appointment but I don't know if she'll be on duty when I go into labour.

I had a named midwife for both pregnancies (2006 and 2013) and was able to call them if needed although if mine was busy then I seen another but 90% of the time it was the same lady.

I'm surprised you were told to contact A&E regarding pregnancy related issues, I went in once to A&E and wad told I had to go to the maternity ward as they weren't properly equipt.

It may depend where you are though, I have a friend in Fife who didn't have a named midwife in her last pregnancy.

I should add ours are community midwives so don't usually work in the labour wards.

Had a named community midwife who I saw at all ante-natal appointments and for 10 days after birth. They are though separate from the hospital midwifes for the actual delivery and post-natal care in the hospital.

I was told to go to A&E as the labour ward wouldn't see me before 24 weeks - you have to get A&E to refer you to the EPU, which is where I was seen.

I don't really mind this hands off approach tbh, it's my second child. When I had ds 11 years ago, I found my midwife a bit stifling really. I'm ok with just having blood pressure done, saying I'm ok, hearing the heartbeat and then leaving!

It's just odd that friends of mine (diff hospitals) all have a midwives name and phone number to call if they have any worries.

I'm just a bit confused and a little worried about what to do if I have niggles later on.

Oh ok, I think the difference is community midwives as opposed to hospital clinics.

I don't have a GP (I have a private one, I'm not registered with an NHS one) so I just booked myself in at the hospital.

I guess it's different if you have a community midwife.

OP - I'm in the exact same situation as you! No named midwife, really hard to contact one unless it's something you'd ring urgently about. I also got told to go to A and E for some minor piece of worry.

I've found the Tommy's Pregnancy line invaluable. At least you can ring and talk to a midwife.

I did find the 'go to A and E' advice unbelievable. Surely there has to be a better way than sitting for hours to ask a frickin question? I think we're just in areas where the midwifery services are really stretched, which doesn't help when the majority of advice online seems to boil down to 'call your midwife just to be on the safe side'.

I was actually quite lucky with A&E though. A dr was behind the desk getting some paperwork when I arrived and as I was doubled over in pain and crying he took me straight into the triage room and called up to EPU where I was seen very quickly, so thankfully I didn't have to wait for ages.

Yes I have a named midwife who I've seen at all apps so far but as other have said she's a community midwife so won't be there when I'm in labour.

Yes, but I only saw her the once and I'm 30 weeks now!

Last three pregnancies I lived in a different area and had no named midwife but kept seeing the same ones.

Seems like it means sod all!

I have a community midwife this time - named midwife who I see every appointment and who may even be with me in labour (I am planning a homebirth and she is part of the team who does them for my area).

Last two pregnancies were in London and I never saw the same person twice.

Yes I do but that is only for Antenatal stuff (not labor) and because of various issues I am on a special care pathway so its not normal for my area. I am in London.

That said she only works Wednesdays so its hard to get hold of anyone if there are issues. I have been also told go to A&E if its serious otherwise ring the labor ward and talk to a midwife to discuss concerns (am 18 weeks )

I have a midwife who covers the town I live in. I have a number and can see her at a drop in if I need to, but the easiest way to get a quick question answered is to call the nearest maternity unit and speak to any midwife there.

I think I have a named midwife mainly because there is only 1 in the area!!!