Anyone else find their midwife useless?

[Tantrictantrum]

On DC3 now and still don't see the point of them

their fund!!!

standing ovation well said.
Midwives train hard get little in return but still keep going, I have felt well looked after by my mws but let down by so called docs and consultants who are the experts in their field's. If you don't want you appointment or your mw fine do it yourself but if something goes wrong on your own head be it, as its your fault you refused care.

I'm 40 weeks today (eek) and my midwife has been amazing. Generally just doing the usual urine, no, forms etc...But when I have had questions she has answered them fully and checked with consultant when necessary about a few queries about a previous hernia operation.

Most importantly when I had a bit of a freak out about 3 months ago about my previous labour she sat and listened and reassured me. She never made me feel rushed and always spent as much time as I needed. I'm low risk this time but I couldn't have done this so calmly without her. I feel very happy with her care. We had a hug last week and she said she hoped she doesn't have to see me at 41 weeks. I couldn't ask for more. And this is one of the busiest hospitals in London where I was lucky to be able to book in.

And I would add that I have been kept waiting when I have had morning appointments...But the reason is because someone needed her and she gave them the level of care they needed. On that basis I was more than happy to wait.

My midwives were amazing. I take my hat off to them.

Afternoon not morning!

Mine managed to 'diagnose' me with something that would mean I would probably have DC prematurely and result in dc needing to be in special care (absolute rubbish and couldn't have been diagnosed from what she saw and not true anyway) and then gave me a pamphlet on pre-eclampsia to read about 6 wks before EDD because she 'expected me to come in with it any day' (also rubbish).

Post natally she managed to try to get staples out but the first one she forced further in instead and then messed about with inappropriate instruments to try to rectify her mistake (without apologising). I had to go back on the ward to have it removed by someone that had a better idea of what to do.

I was so relieved when she decided that the Health Visitor could take over instead. And I would have opted to travel elsewhere so I could visit an alternative midwife if I had had a second child.

Bellyrub has it exactly right - there just aren't enough midwives (or nurses, or doctors) in the NHS. They are all over stretched.
However, I have to say I have felt let down by my community midwives. I've met 2 so far - and neither of them have particularly impressed me. There is never any time for me to ask questions, the appointments are just a case of "tick the boxes and send you on your way". While I understand they are under pressure, this doesn't reassure an anxious first time mother!

all the midwives I encountered before, during and after the birth of DD were unmitigated shite, bar one kindly one who tried (unsuccessfully) to stop a consultant hurting me.
Next time I'll be taking a loan to get an independent one.

I've actually decided to avoid the midwives this time by seeing my consultant instead. So far so good.

Although I would never want the job of a midwife, the ones (4) I've seen don't fill me with much confidence. In 4 mw appts I have seen 4 different mw. They are impossible to get hold of and 2 of them 'forgot' to refer me to physio. My appts are always rushed and feel I'm holding them up with questions I have. I understand they are stretched but being a first time mum I want to feel a little at ease. I really don't.