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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

AIBU to expect more from this Ob?

30 replies

gravitationallull · 09/08/2016 22:54

We have private medical insurance as we live abroad but having baby in London under a private obstetrician. I'm at the end (40wks) of a very straightforward pregnancy. I haven't been seen by anyone since week 34 and then it was just a quick conversation.

I've called the ob secretary and asked for an appointment to discuss what's happening next, three times over the last two days, she has said that ob is jam packed but she'll find a time for me and call me back, but she hasn't.

I understand that my straightforward preg is nothing compared to what these obs deal with every day and I don't want to over-medicalise anything, and I don't particularly need anything. But actually I would quite like to check in. I'd like someone experienced to just look me up and down? Ask me how I am, considering we are paying for it all!

AIBU?

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Original poster

gravitationallull · 10/08/2016 01:21

Anyone? Bump!

OP posts:

biscuitkumquat · 10/08/2016 01:31

I don't know if that's something they would routinely do.

Is there something specific you want to speak about? I don't think anyone would make themselves available just to ask how you are.

MissBeaHaving · 10/08/2016 02:26

Hi Op,on the NHS normally at 40 weeks you would have an appointment with a community midwife & be offered a membrane sweep with the hope of starting labour,the midwife would also talk you through your birth plan etc.

My pregnancies were complicated & I knew I would be induced if overdue & with my second this was discussed at an appointment at 39 weeks.

I have no experienced of private Ob's but I would think a call back & some reassurance is the very least you should expect,regardless of how busy they are!

I hope you hear back soon & you have your little one very soon.

DPotter · 10/08/2016 02:32

I would have thought you would be needing regular BP and urine checks as well. Doesn't sound good service to me - you would def be getting more 'care' in the NHS. As an 'elderly' pregnant Mum, I had weekly BP & wee checks from about 36 wks and a scan & consultant appt at week 39.

Which hospital are you booked into - maybe ring them as ask to speak to a midwife ?

HobnailsandTaffeta · 10/08/2016 03:10

At 40 weeks they should also be booking an induction date / growth scan just in case you don't go into labour naturally.

Seriously OP really not good enough and you need to kick up a stink, for safety of baby if nothing else! Good luck x

queenoftheboys · 10/08/2016 03:42

Can't help with what's normal in the UK, but here in Australia you see your obstetrician weekly from 36 weeks for BP and general checking over and birth planning. Nothing since 34 weeks seems too long to me - YANBU.

PetrovaFossil1 · 10/08/2016 03:50

Also not in the UK but Hong Kong and I saw my OB weekly from 36 weeks also.

Zenzie · 10/08/2016 04:37

Agree that this sounds odd. I was private under an ob in the UK and had fortnightly appointments after 32 weeks, then weekly from 36 weeks. I could always contact him via email too. At 40 weeks, being told you could just about be squeezed in... you'd hope so!

Agree also that you might need some more frequent obs. I felt fine all along but my BP started to rise dramatically at 38 weeks, which I wouldn't have picked up without those regular appointments.

MissBeaHaving · 10/08/2016 05:45

I wonder if the UK 101 line might be able to give you some advice?
Have you registered with a GP whilst in the UK? That would make things a lot easier for you.

Other than that ,apart from finding a new OB (which isn't ideal at such a late stage in pregnancy ) I wouldn't know what to advise.

Good luck Op,I hope it all goes well.

anyname123 · 10/08/2016 05:49

Are you seeing a midwife, just not the Ob?

WellErrr · 10/08/2016 05:51

Not good enough. On the NHS you'd have at least fortnightly checks in the last few weeks for urine and bp tests, plus bump measurements etc.

I don't want to worry you but you don't know this is still a straightforward pregnancy; you're just assuming it is because no one has checked you.

If I were you I'd keep ringing hourly until you get your appointment.

LillianFullStop · 10/08/2016 06:14

That doesn't sound right to me OP. A private OB for a private hospital is meant to take over your antenatal schedule (so at least fortnightly from 34w). they check for fluctuations in BP, protein/sugar in urine and growth checks (if not scans then at least fundal measurements and heartbeat like a GP or midwife would)

Were you given an antenatal schedule when you booked your consultant? they should have given you a schedule of appointments included with their package and you should at least have those! You're paying a lot of money for their care and if they were too busy they shouldn't have agreed to take you on and the fee or at least arranged for another consultant to cover appointments! Can you call directly to the midwives at the private hospital to voice your concerns as worst case the midwives can do your antenatal checks. Definitely not good enough!!!

LondonLassie123 · 10/08/2016 06:41

Not my experience either.

I went private and had weekly appointments with my OB from c. 35 weeks, then every couple of days when closer to the due date. These had all been diarised months in advance, right past the due date up to the point where I would've been induced.

I'd get on to the secretary again and if no luck, sit in the OB's waiting room and complain loudly on your phone; when such sums of money are involved they won't want you putting off his/her other patients.

Alternatively, ring the hospital where you're booked in. The Lindo definitely does a check up on demand. Obviously it costs, but it'll be worth it.

Hope things go well

MaybeDoctor · 10/08/2016 07:06

If you get no help from them in the next 24 hours then get yourself down to the monitoring and assessment unit of your local NHS maternity hospital.

Original poster

gravitationallull · 10/08/2016 13:11

Thank you! I am feeling quite emotional about it (naturally! Being 40 wks!!) I've always known that if there is a problem I can go into hospital, but like you say, some problems are not obvious, like BP or infection or fetal movement. It's just that feeling of someone being aware that you are going to have your baby soon, and I thought with a private ob you would definitely get that.
Secretary has given me an appt for Friday. I will be 40+5. Surely this is mad?

OP posts:

LillianFullStop · 10/08/2016 13:43

It's mad not to have had an appointment since 34w!!! what are you paying them for - at this rate you would be lucky for them to turn up at your delivery. Please complain and make as much noise as you can - it might be a case of the squeaky wheel gets the oil esp if your case has been straight forward until now. There is a reason why they check weekly/fortnightly towards the end - it's because some issues don't manifest themselves until the late stages.

I would still get in touch with the private hospital anyway asap - the midwives can do antenatal checks. If you go to their website they should have the details or better yet turn up there - you will be harder to ignore. Just tell them you haven't been able to get an appointment with your very expensive and very important consultant obstetrician and could they please help check everything is ok as no has checked for the last 5 weeks.

LondonGirl83 · 10/08/2016 16:24

OP- that sounds like borderline malpractice. Its certainly below NHS guidelines.

I'm going private and in the final trimester my consultant will see me every two weeks and near the end EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK.

Your OB appears to have taken on more patients that she can handle and is now not providing appropriate care.

I don't want to upset you but you need to get yourself checked tomorrow. I 100% echo what Lillian has said.

I'm truly shocked...

LondonGirl83 · 10/08/2016 16:29

OP-- I'm still finding this hard to understand. Have you been seen by a midwife instead of the OB or have you really had no antenatal appointments for almost 2 months (7 weeks by Friday)?

Original poster

gravitationallull · 10/08/2016 16:58

No midwife appts, no antenatal.

ob said to get in touch if there was a problem. There wasn't a problem (that I noticed) but now I am at this point I feel at a loose end. I will go in to the hospital.

OP posts:

PotteringAlong · 10/08/2016 17:04

This is the basic nhs schedule taken from the front of my notes

PotteringAlong · 10/08/2016 17:05

If it's not your first baby you wouldn't be routinely seen here at 40 weeks - you would be seen at 34, 36, 38 and then 41.

Moreisnnogedag · 10/08/2016 17:16

Have you not peed on a stick at all since 34 weeks?! My midwife was obsessed with the stuff from 36 weeks on.

Call again and demand a call back today. Call your health insurance people as well and kick up a stink.

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 10/08/2016 17:17

Blimey, that is bad.

You could have preeclampsia, baby could be breech and you would have missed the best chance of a successful ECV. Just seems crazy that he's not seeing you more often.

Scarydinosaurs · 10/08/2016 17:24

So so bad. Please get yourself checked for at least a urine and BP.

LondonGirl83 · 10/08/2016 17:44

OP, I don't know what to say. This so bad, I'm not even sure I'd be willing to lay eyes on that OB at this point.

He or she is being dangerously reckless with you and your babies health. I'm sure you are fine but this is far below the bar for NHS much less private health care. Complain formally.

I've gone private at St Thomas and I'm hoping the OB doesn't work there! If you need a recommendation, I can see if my consultant would take you on. He does delivery only packages and hopefully your insurance would cover the costs of switching in light of the situation. Send me a private message if necessary.

I'm so angry on your behalf!

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