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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Problems with midwife

32 replies

Barbsta · 09/04/2014 07:17

I am 28 + 6 keep feeling faint/fainting and work in a job where I will be working nights alone and don't feel safe doing this in case I faint. The last time I fainted I went to see my midwife (couple of weeks ago and the first time I met her) and she said it will be my blood pressure dipping. I said this to work and they said if I get a note from her I won't have to work nights. I seen her yesterday and she checked my blood pressure and because it was fine yesterday refused to write me a note. She even denied saying that's what it could be! Making me out to be a liar but she isn't the only person to say this I've been in the walk in centre when I fainted and was told the same. Now I'm stuck working nights where I won't be able to put my head down if I need to which means I will work until I faint. Sick of the stress and worry over this and feeling like I'm not protecting my baby.

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Writerwannabe83 · 09/04/2014 07:29

I'd see your GP - it was my only understanding that they are the only ones who can give sick notes/changes to working pattern notes anyway. When my midwife didn't want me at work she told me to book in with my GP who was more than happy to sign me off. I know you don't need signing off but if you explain your situation and concerns then I'm sure they'd understand and help you. Also, do you have an Occupational ?Health department? They also have the power to enforce changes in work patters and it sounds as though your employer would be happy to carry out such changes. Did you have a risk assessment done when you said you were pregnant? It is my understanding it's a legal requirement. Ask for it to be reviewed in light of your current worries and hopefully it will result in you getting the changes you want/need

FirstTimerEek · 09/04/2014 07:31

If it were me I'd go see my GP. Mine signed me off with SPD, but I know they can write you a Sick note saying you are fit to work but with some conditions, eg no night shifts, no lone working.

Original poster

Barbsta · 09/04/2014 08:04

I'm annoyed and upset that my midwife would deny even saying it tbh she pretty much said I'd have to faint in front of her to get a note. She actually said something about not risking getting herself in trouble by writing it so it's like she is covering her own back. I am going to try my doctor but can imagine he will pass the buck to my midwife because no one seems to be much help. Work still haven't done a risk assessment but being pregnant doesn't exclude you the only thing that would stop them is that I could faint

OP posts:

VivaLeBeaver · 09/04/2014 08:10

Midwives aren't really meant to diagnose anything. She's probably right that its your blood pressure but as she herself has seen no evidence of t feels she can't write a note.

To be honest work should be risk assessing you as you're pregnant and should be able to make changes without a note as you've told them what you're struggling with. If you fainted and hurt yourself they could be in a sticky situation if you've warned them you feel more likely to faint on nights. I'd be pissed off with your work.

But yes see the GP for a note.

Blondieminx · 09/04/2014 08:16

official guidance on workplace risk assessments

See your GP. Explain you are keen to minimise risk to yourself and baby given your fainting history, noting that you've now seen both the walk-in and the mw for this issue and that before making changes your employer has asked for a medical note.

weebairn · 09/04/2014 08:21

My GP signed me off night shifts and 12-day-working without a day off. My employers including occupational health were useless and unpleasant about it. Once I had the GP note they had to oblige though.

28 weeks is late to be working nights I think, even without the fainting.

Good luck, hope you get it sorted.

weebairn · 09/04/2014 08:22

I'm on my second pregnancy now and working shifts at the moment including nights; I am 15 weeks; I don't plan to work any nights beyond about 25 weeks. I won't even bother asking my employers this time, I'll go straight to the GP.

Original poster

Barbsta · 09/04/2014 08:23

My work really don't care I've known a woman to get a call from her bf who was at home with their kid to say he took an overdose. Work didn't let her go home she had to finish at work first then work the next day. I really can't rely on my work to do the right thing if they don't have the note then I'm working them. Fair enough she can't risk writing it but why deny saying that low blood pressure could be the cause? Then wait until I've told my work to go back on that.

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Original poster

Barbsta · 09/04/2014 08:25

Why tell me it will be low blood pressure then go back on it after I've told my work I meant. Now my work are going to think ice lied or knowing she isn't backing me up are going to help with nothing

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notaflamingclue · 09/04/2014 08:36

Can only advise the same. See your GP and they may get you to do a 24-hour blood pressure test.

I would also agree that this seems very late to be working nights. Have you had an updated pregnancy risk assessment?

Original poster

Barbsta · 09/04/2014 09:00

I haven't had my first yet, when are you meant to get an updated risk assessment? I don't think it would get me anywhere though. I work in a business with quite a bit money that gets robbed weekly and I have no bandit screen and have to carry up to £400 of change. That's not to mention the aggressive customers that are worse at night due to alcohol. Work knowing all this won't exclude pregnant women from single manning so I know a risk assessment will get me no where. I don't care about doing it any other time but I'd never forgive myself if my baby got hurt while I was working alone

OP posts:

mummybare · 09/04/2014 09:05

Just say that after seeing the midwife you've been advised to make an appointment with the GP. You don't have to mention that it was the lovely posters on mn who advised you rather than the midwife herself...

Gileswithachainsaw · 09/04/2014 09:07

Where on earth do you work? It doesn't matter if work cares or not surely it's the law. No one should be working alone in an establishment that's frequently robbed at night let alone someone who's pregnant.

Google acas and speak to someone about your rights. There's no way that can be legal :(

Original poster

Barbsta · 09/04/2014 09:11

Thanks mummybare lol problem is I'm a stupidly honest person so I rang my boss straight away to tell him but I'm not sure if he's took it further yet so I could still salvage this. I've had more help on here then I've had off any health advisors or work. I've had the oppositely support and added stress :( stupid hormones amplify it too lol

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Original poster

Barbsta · 09/04/2014 09:15

I work for a bookies and it's the only one of all the big named bookies that is making pregnant women single man

OP posts:

Original poster

Barbsta · 09/04/2014 09:17

It is legal and bookies have been doing it for a while. Normally I wouldn't be happy but I'd know it's just how the business is and do it but I'm not just putting myself at danger now

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Gileswithachainsaw · 09/04/2014 09:19

I think I know which one!!! They have recently been quotes in te press haven't they stating that they will now single man dumbasses

I would speak to acas or citizens advice to find out where in the law this stands. What security do you have in place? Panic buttons ? Mag-locks?

Do you have to empty machines on your own during opening hours?

Gileswithachainsaw · 09/04/2014 09:19

I think I know which one!!! They have recently been quotes in te press haven't they stating that they will now single man dumbasses

I would speak to acas or citizens advice to find out where in the law this stands. What security do you have in place? Panic buttons ? Mag-locks?

Do you have to empty machines on your own during opening hours?

Gileswithachainsaw · 09/04/2014 09:22

I think in your shoes I'd be calling on anyone and everyone to take turns sitting in the shop with you. Or asking them to call you and if you don't answer three times in a row to call someone.

Original poster

Barbsta · 09/04/2014 09:24

I have a panic alarm and safe haven for when I'm robbed but no bandit screen or mag lock to actually prevent it happening. I get paid 15 mins at the end of the night to empty the machines while closed which will take me a lot longer. I already come in 45 mins unpaid in the morning to set the shop up then only get 30 mins of my hour break because it only get a cashier when it's busy. I will be working some days a 13 hour shift with a cashier for only 4 hours and il be lucky to get 30 mins of my hour break

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Gileswithachainsaw · 09/04/2014 09:28

How much holiday do you have? Can you attach it to the beginning of your maternity leave? And get the hell outbid there ASAP?

I knew that company was bad I didn't realise it was that bad :( trouble is I think your now at the point where if you got signed off they can make you take your maternity leave. But do keep hitting the GP for a letter to excuse you from single manning although it doesn't sound likely they will care.

Gileswithachainsaw · 09/04/2014 09:30

Can you transfer to another shop? One which isn't robbed so much and is quieter?

randdom · 09/04/2014 09:31

It really shouldn't be ab issue for your GP to sign you off nights. I was fainting during night shifts and went in and was signed off at 27 weeks. Before panicking it would at least be worth trying. A med3 for amended duties which is what you need would normally have to be issues by a GP rather than a midwife anyway.

Original poster

Barbsta · 09/04/2014 09:45

My shop isn't robbed weekly :s I'd be a nervous wreck but my kind of business overall are robbed weekly. I've already used up all my hols for before my maternity starts I only need to get to 19th may. Everyone in my shop is behind me and happy to work the extra nights for me it's just the high ups

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Gileswithachainsaw · 09/04/2014 09:50

If it's who I think it is I can't believe they lied to the papers saying robberies were down and that's how they justify the single manning

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