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Original poster

I cant get hold of my midwife

16 replies

MyPandaisasecretmonster · 09/10/2014 12:58

I have been trying for over a week to get hold of her as I haven't got an appointment for my 16 week check & I'm 16 weeks on Sunday coming .
She works several different surgeries so have to ring the local midwife office & leave a message for her to get back to me which I have done but I haven't heard anything at all .
Not sure what else to do as it's seeming impossible , should I just give in & leave it ?

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cakedcrusader · 09/10/2014 13:12

I would call the supervisor of midwives and tell them that you need an appointment but your mw doesn't return your calls - the number should be on the front of your notes. Don't just leave it, you're supposed to see someone at this point for a reason!

Original poster
MyPandaisasecretmonster · 09/10/2014 13:16

Their is only the number for the midwife and maternity unit on my notes

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TheRealMaryMillington · 09/10/2014 13:23

How many times have you rung?

Can your GP surgery help?

I wouldn't worry that it is not spot on 16 weeks, a week or so either side is fine unless you have specific worries. Does she need to organise your 20 week scan etc or do the hospital do that directly?

MWs are often a bit relaxed about earlyish pregnancies, they definitely prioritise people who are further along, who (generally) need more time and attention. Also could she have been attending home births etc.

Graciescotland · 09/10/2014 13:25

They normally give you the number for supervisor of midwives on seperate bit of paper explaining their role ( or they did with me). Call the maternity unit and ask them.

Original poster
MyPandaisasecretmonster · 09/10/2014 13:28

I have rung 4 times over the past week and a half & left two messages .
GP can't/won't help as she works out of several different surgeries .

I'm trying to get hold of her now as apart from I'd like to know my baby is ok (hear the heartbeat) I also know she won't be able to see me for about two weeks as she is so busy .

My 20 week scan has already been booked

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babykonitsway · 09/10/2014 13:29

Complain to gp surgery manager. You should be seen at certain points in your pregnancy for a reason! At my 16 week appt it was the results of all the blood tests, pee dip stick and blood pressure. If your concerned ask your gp to do these for you. That would definitely encourage them to get midwife sorted out!

RetroHippy · 09/10/2014 13:33

I didn't have my 16 week appt until I was 18 weeks. I did have a scan at 16 weeks due to a bleed, which was reassuring, but the mw wasn't aware of that when I booked and didn't seem worried.

She also didn't listen to the heartbeat, but that may have been because of the scan, or because of the chance of my anterior placenta muffling it and worrying me uneccessarily. It is worth knowing that if they can't find the heartbeat at 16 weeks they won't refer you for a scan.

Izzy24 · 09/10/2014 13:36

Ring your maternity unit, explain your problem and they will ensure a midwife contacts you. Sometimes messages aren't always as clear to the recipient as they seem to the sender.

Original poster
MyPandaisasecretmonster · 09/10/2014 13:38

I haven't been seen by midwife since I were 9 weeks pg and then had my scan at 13 weeks , the midwife said at my first appointment that she would send me my next appointment through the post but I never received it .

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TheRealMaryMillington · 09/10/2014 13:46

Ring again. Are you getting through to an actual person or just a machine?

If its just a machine there will be another number that gets you through to people. You could try the maternity unit and ask for the supervisor of midwives but that is kind of escalating things.

It's not worth a complaint or the stress of making one. You know you will be seen at 20 weeks. Its odd that you and she didn't make the appointment at your last one, that is usually how it works, maybe try to do that next time…?

TipseyTorvey · 09/10/2014 13:46

I have the same issue . MW never answers my calls or responds to texts or messages, neither did my MW for my first pregnancy. I have moved myself to hospital care, I am truly disappointed by the lack of care or interest. I know they are understaffed but there is also indifference as an issue. Wish I had the money to go private!

Original poster
MyPandaisasecretmonster · 09/10/2014 13:58

This is my first so didnt/dont know how everything works appointment wise .

It's an answering machine that is supposed to be checked first thing every morning (the answering machine message says so) but obviously it's not checked .

I'm not wanting to escalate things , I'll leave it til the end of the week to see if an appointment turns up in the post & if not I'll try everything else on Monday

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ruth1104 · 09/10/2014 14:10

Just to say, don't expect for sure that they'll listen to the heartbeat at this appointment, in lots of areas it's not routine because it's not always easy to find at 16 weeks, can be an unnecessary worry. Good luck getting hold of her!

Original poster
MyPandaisasecretmonster · 09/10/2014 14:28

It is definitely routine in the area I'm in as the midwife told me at my first appointment

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JennyBlueWren · 09/10/2014 14:42

The midwife (mine was on holiday) didn't listen to the heartbeat at 16 weeks as she said it was too early to hear for certain but went over the blood tests, checked BP and had a general chat about how I was feeling.

Mummymidwife87 · 09/10/2014 17:33

I would suggest ringing between 8 and 10 as most community midwives start at 8am ish.
Ring every morning and always leave a message. Can you find out what days she works at the GP surgery? Then call the surgery on that day?

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