Midwife-high risk care

[Mooselet24]

I am currently 24 weeks pregnant, with my first child, i am classed as a high risk case due to previous mental health issues and I have a anxiety disorder. I have seen my midwife 3 times including Wednesday just gone and the hospital twice (never actually got to see my doctor yet just a midwife) I do not feel I am getting the care I need, given the fact I suffer with severe anxiety on a normal day to day basis, I'm already getting panic attacks over birth, however my midwife just said it will be ok and didn't reassure me at all, I'm wondering, if anyone has any suggestions of how to get the support I need?

Thanks

Have you been referred to the perinatal mental health team? I would ask for a referral if not.

I got referred to a mental health organisation and currently get an hours CBT treatment a week which helps with my anxieties x

Three appointments so far with a regular midwife is standard for this stage of pregnancy. Your midwife isn't really equipped to handle or treat your mental health issues, but what she can do is refer you to the perinatal mental health team for specialist support. Have you asked her to do this?

I was told at my first booking in appointment that there was a specialist mental health midwfie, and I was asked if I wanted a referral. I was also offered the details of how to self refer to a counselling service if I needed it.

When you raised the issue of your ongoing mental health issues when you booked in, what was said to you? Steps should have been put in place early on to support your mental health, seperate to any support for your pregnancy related physical health.

I'm pregnant with my second, I'm being treated for ptsd, I had postnatal depression and psychosis with my son. At booking I was asked about existing or previous mental health conditions and if I was seeing any specialist services. She wanted the names of the psychiatrist and psychologist I see and asked if I was okay with them being contacted. If I hadn't been seeing anyone, I would have been referred to the peri-natal mental health team.

If you aren't already seeing the community mental health team or similar, I would definitely check if there is a peri-natal mental health team covering your area.

Thanks for everyone's replies, when I went for my booking appointment, I was asked the standard questions and they had access to my notes and we discussed my anxiety, I had to come off my medication due to risks of a miscarriage (they think that caused a previous miscarriage last August) she said the consultants at the hospital would get me to see a mental health midwife (I am in consultant care due to a congenital heart condition as well) however I haven't got this, and even though I said about it on Wednesday, my midwife didn't listen to my concerns and I came out feeling let down! I just want some support!

When your 20 week scan comes up you should see your consultant and possibly before that too. I can only go by my area but if you want to see your consultant then you need to speak to the hospital unit and say you haven't been seen yet and are you actually on the list.

Remember the consultant can only do certain things and cannot rush through referal so as long as it's for medical and not mental health they will see you asap.

Good luck.

Can you phone your midwife up and ask if a referral would be possible? If not, might be worth talking to your GP and seeing what they suggest. Was it the GP who prescribed the anxiety meds?