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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

No midwife available until 38 weeks

12 replies

silversixpence · 23/04/2015 12:34

My surgery has said no midwife appointments are available until 28th may and they cancelled the ones I had previously booked on 7th and 21st May. I will be 38 weeks and won't have seen a midwife since 28 weeks. Not had any feedback from GTT or blood results either.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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cathpip · 23/04/2015 12:39

I would contact your midwife directly or your maternity unit.

Original poster

silversixpence · 23/04/2015 12:43

Ok so I shouldn't wait for the appointments I have booked? They just said to book with Gp instead but that won't be for 3 weeks either

OP posts:

FernGullysWoollyPully · 23/04/2015 13:00

I had this recently, and I really feel for you. I was trying to book a 16 week antenatal appointment but was told 4 weeks at the gp and 6 weeks at the children's centre. Put a thread up on here, totally aghast and was given a hard time about wasting time....

Anyway, I phoned the community midwives department, the number was on my notes, and they got me an appointment the same day. Maybe give that a try.

TarkaTheOtter · 23/04/2015 13:04

If you haven heard back about your gtt after a few days it's fine (unless someone has really dropped the ball). I always found out the same day when diagnosed with GD - once they had even left a message before I was back from the hospital.

MrsAnxiety1 · 23/04/2015 13:11

I feel a strongly worded letter of complaint to both your local PALS (google your local complaints/PALS address for your trust) and also to the Supervisor of Midwives is in order. That long a wait is a denial of essential antenatal care and is not acceptable. Don't be afraid to kick up a stink about it - you'll be surprised how effective it can be.

madreloco · 23/04/2015 14:44

It is not a denial of essential care if she is being offered appts with a GP instead of a midwife. GP can do the routine stuff just as easily.

comeagainforbigfudge · 23/04/2015 15:08

Blood results/GTT - they would phone you if an issue.

Book your gp appointment ASAP (just incase that magically has extended past three weeks) like pp they can check urine/BP etc

If any problems getting gp appoint I'd phone community midwifes or the maternity ward for advice.

RhiannonElward · 23/04/2015 16:05

What concerns me is that spotting complications in late pregnancy is not something GPs have to do every day. Midwives do that all the time and I'd be happier seeing a midwife than a GP in the later weeks, not so much in earlier ones. I'd push for a midwife appointment by ringing the community midwives as a PP suggested. It's worth a try.

SpottyTeacakes · 23/04/2015 16:09

I work at a drs surgery and the midwife comes in once a week. If her clinic is full we have to add the patient onto the end because she has to see them. This was her request. Although it's pretty quiet at the moment in our area and is very rare to wait anyway. I would definitely phone the midwife directly.

MaebyF · 23/04/2015 16:09

I'd try ringing the community midwives too if you have a number and explain this.

I had this in late pregnancy as I moved areas and sort of slipped through the system so wasn't going to see the midwives. The GP receptionists were lovely and said to make a GP appointment if necessary to at least get blood pressure etc checked.

slightlyinsane · 23/04/2015 16:10

GPs can do the basic checks but are no way there to replace people that specialise in maternity care. Within the time frame that has been listed in op checks need to have been made about lots of things that a gp won't be well practiced in. simple things like a baby's presentation or growth, not to mention all the questions an expectant mum may have. Phone the mw department and I'm sure they will fit you in at another practice or worse case at triage.

Theyvallgone · 23/04/2015 17:47

You cannot see a GP for all your antenatal care between 28-38 weeks. Though they can do basic BP and urine checks, they are NOT good at palpating a baby's position (very important after 36 weeks), and they are NOT good at listening to and interpreting the baby's heartbeat.
If you have questions about your delivery, breast/bottle feeding, GTTs, or literally anything to do with pregnancy they just wouldn't have a clue where to go with that. It is not a suitable replacement for a midwife, just because they have a 'better' qualification it does not meant they are the experts in this area.

You need to contact your community midwives office and they will find you either a drop in centre, or another appointment you can go to. A midwife could even come out to your house if they are really stuck on apts. Its important x

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