AIBU (wrong board!) to be narked with my midwife?

[TenForward82]

This is half "opinions please" and half a rant! I'm 19 weeks tomorrow and have had 2 midwife appointment so far. Each time, my "assigned" midwife (I'll call her Joan) has been on holiday. That's fine, midwives I saw were ok, if a bit ditzy.

I did speak to Joan on the phone once and she was really arsey with me - she couldn't figure out if I had had my booking in appointment (I had, it was their paperwork fuck-up) and she was blaming me for not calling her back, even though I spoke to someone in her clinic who told me it was all sorted. Then she asked if I had my next appt booked, but was really rude about it. I've been dreading meeting her, TBH, because if she's a bitch IRL I'm not sure I'll be able to restrain my own attitude.

For the past week I've been feeling dizzy, excessively nauseous, lightheaded, and a couple of times have seen white "flashes" in the centre of my vision. I'm high-risk for pre-eclampsia so my friends and family (even my yoga teacher!) are mega concerned and suggested I call my midwife.

Called her mobile this morning, it rang and rang, no option to leave a voicemail, so I text her introducing myself and explaining my symptoms. 4 hours had a text back "sorry to miss u, I'm off today so can't check you over, call the [local hospital] MCU."

Is she ever bloody in? I can't help but be a bit pissed off that my "assigned" midwife is constantly on holiday, and the one time I ask for help, the buck is passed. I don't mind calling the MCU when I get home from work, but AIBU to be annoyed by this? If not, is there anything I should do (eg ask to change midwife - or is that a massive over-reaction)?

Thanks ladies!

Skipton, none of those, I think, it's the Aspre trial (aspirin or placebo - blind study).

Seriously, oh, I know, and my boss hasn't challenged it since the first time (think he read up on the law), it's just stepping out of the office to make a personal phone call that's the issue. He doesn't like that. Well, he doesn't like it when I do it but his relatives can take personal calls left right and centre...

If I still feel like this next week they'll check me over again :)

ten glad it went well today- it's a scary time and frustrating when you've been promised support that doesn't deliver.
You're not in Lewisham are you? There are some very stroppy midwives in my area (as well as my midwife who is absolutely lovely but never available to speak to and seems pushed for time if I have questions at appointments).
I agree that the system makes it really difficult to get consistently good care. I had three midwife/scan referrals go missing, then was registered twice and received an angry call after I missed an appointment I was never notified of. I guess it all makes us more nervous than we need to be that the care we receive when we most need it will fall short.
Hope you get better support going forwards

Hi car, not in Lewisham, no, but sadly good medical care is a bit hit-and-miss all over the country! Will have to see how things go, hopefully will settle down. Just so tired and lightheaded, ugh. Thanks for your kind words

I have an assigned midwife who I've never met. It was explained that that's just the person who manages your file but you have appointments with whoever's available. I would never call a a mobile number with concerns, I'd always call the unit.

Buggar, that's all well and good, but as I've explained that's not what I was told.