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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

can't attend to midwife appointments

23 replies

Mirelamaria · 21/09/2017 10:54

Hello, i am almost 19 weeks pregnant and haven't seen the midwife since i was 8 weeks (and i had my 12 week scan of course, but with different midwifes). Unfortunately she works only two days a week and i am working as well those days, i don't drive and the distance from my work to the clinic is very big and most of the days they send me to work in different towns. I tried to call the maternity unit and ask if it's possible to have another midwife that works in the days i am off, but they said i can't do that. Any advice in what i can do to get another midwife or do you know somewhere else where i can check on baby? Thank you xx

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Mayhemmumma · 21/09/2017 10:56

Your employer has to let you have time off to attend these appointments I'm sure!
You really need to prioritise your health and the baby.

Tentativesteps133 · 21/09/2017 10:59

As pp says, your work are legally obliged to give you paid time off to attend midwife appointments. You should know well in advance when they will be (I.e at 16,24,28 weeks) and what days the midwife works so work can plan around it and not send you away on those days? It's important you get checked as plenty of things can be picked up in those appointments!

boopdoop · 21/09/2017 11:00

Your employer legally has to make it possible for you to attend any pregnancy related appointments during work time. It's great that you've looked for options on other days and you can at least show your employer you've tried to do that, but they have to allow you to attend them. It's really important that you do.

Dustywillow · 21/09/2017 11:07

Your entitled to paid time off for apps. Can your partner not take you to your appointments or friends or family? Your midwife would of noted when she wants to see you so should give you enough time to sort out transport or look into buses? These checks are important so if you can't change days you will have to work out a plan

YouShoesYouLose · 21/09/2017 11:08

Whilst your work should give you time off, it sounds pretty silly that you can't see a midwife on your days off (assuming you have days off in the week). Can you ask to speak to a supervisor and explain you are willing to travel elsewhere to be seen on a Mon or Tue for example.

mindutopia · 21/09/2017 17:13

I think you need to speak to your employer as it really is their responsibility to make sure you are able to attend your appointments. My office is 3 hours from my home/where my midwife is based. When I have appointments I work from home those days so I can go to my appointment and I get paid for that time (when I'm not working, obviously rest of the day I work).

Mum2oneds · 21/09/2017 17:15

My midwife only works one day a week. I just leave work early or go in late. And you get paid for it.

Ninjamilo · 21/09/2017 18:25

I'm in a similar situation, my midwife only works one day, which is a struggle as the next month I am literally the other side of the country for work so appointments are impossible!

Original poster

Mirelamaria · 22/09/2017 14:43

Thank you for your answers. My problem is the distance from my work to the clinic and i can't chose if i am working in town or not unfortunately and all my holiday for this year is gone, work will let me go to appointments for a couple of hours, but it will take me around 3 hours only to get there and back if i calculate the appointment as well it will take almost 4 hours, i don't think my manager will be ok with me going away for more then 2 hours...and i know lots of people are going to say i am lazy, but i am finding it quite difficult to walk all that distance and then go and finish a 12 hour shift. My husband is working those days as well so he can't drive. Is it possible to go to the hospital and get checked if it's not an emergency?

OP posts:

Original poster

Mirelamaria · 22/09/2017 14:46

and if i go in later or leave earlier they said i won't get paid

OP posts:

PotteringAlong · 22/09/2017 14:47

Taxi?

weekfour · 22/09/2017 14:51

They have to pay you.
Even if it means you are off all day.

weekfour · 22/09/2017 14:52

But if you wanted to be a good employee, could you work another day?

LemonBreeland · 22/09/2017 14:52

Your work don't have a choice about how long you are away for appointments. You have a right to attend them, and if it will take you a long time because of working, that is tough.

You really need to go to the appointments.

NerrSnerr · 22/09/2017 14:57

When are you due to see the midwife next? If it's not for a few weeks I'd call up to see if you can get one sooner, you've gone a long time without having your urine dipped, being measured etc. Work have to give you the time off and you have to prioritise yours and your baby's health.

Dreams16 · 22/09/2017 15:11

Op your work has to give you time off when you know you have an appointment you either book morning or afternoon and go into work later or finish earlier I use to with my midwife appointments.
You need to book an appointment it's far more important to keep going to these appointments that worrying about work

KarateKitten · 22/09/2017 15:14

Ask to switch to your GPs for the normal checks. All they need to do is blood pressure, urine check, fundus height and listen to heartbeat. I'm surprised you weren't offered shared GP care.

Original poster

Mirelamaria · 22/09/2017 16:50

i will call and ask to see the GP, i didn't know i can see him instead of a midwife, the next appointment my midwife can make is 3 weeks from now so that should be to late. i will talk to work as well, thank you for all the help x

OP posts:

Sashkin · 23/09/2017 01:37

I used to be four hours late to work because my antenatal appointments were at my local hospital, and my work was at the other end of the Victoria line (one year contract, not worth moving closer).

Work just had to suck it up. Management didn't like it and bitched about me to my colleagues, but I had a high risk pregnancy and there was no way I was putting DS at risk for the sake of their bloody rota. I would never have forgiven myself.

They were also pissy about me going into labour at 29 weeks. Um yeah, I'd have preferred that not to happen too! I didn't do it on purpose FFS.

You can try to book the first appointment of the day, then at least you only have one set of travelling to do.

boopdoop · 26/09/2017 08:37

It doesn't really matter how long it takes or whether your manager is happy, they legally need to allow you to attend and pay you for that time. They can't make you make up any time for the hours missed, they just have to allow you to go, even if that means you can't do your full normal work that day. This isn't just midwife appointments but if you are recommended other medical appointments or even something else recommended by doctor.

www.gov.uk/working-when-pregnant-your-rights

m.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=5343

Does your company have a HR dept you can talk to? Even if you feel bad taking the time etc it's really important to prioritise the health of you and your baby, and your employer should know that you are entitled to this, and they have to make it possible for you.

CarlHickbread · 26/09/2017 08:42

You are entitled to take time off paid but antenatal appointments.

My ex employer tried to take them out of my holiday entitlement even though I made sure they were first thing in the morning or last thing as not to disrupt the day so much. I spoke to HR who gave my manager a telling off and I dealt with them for all pregnancy related things from then on as my manager was a total arse about it.

Hotpinkangel19 · 26/09/2017 09:34

I work 16 hours but not set days.... I can have time off for my appointments/my shifts get worked around them, but I don’t get paid for my appointments.

owltrousers · 26/09/2017 10:01

I think you're entitled to a maximum of 6.5 hours off per appointment, so that is definitely enough to cover you - work just have to suck it up as pp said :)

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