how often are you being seen by midwife towards the end of pregnany?

[kittypower]

I'm 34 weeks and haven't seen the midwife since I was about 26 weeksm this just feels like a really long time for them not to monitor me. I feel like they should be checking to see what position my baby is in and if everything is ok etc I have an appointment on Monday but am worried that after that there is going to be another massive wait while no one checks anything - is this normal do you think?

XX

I thought it was weekly at the end.does it not have a timetable of appointments on your notes?

its usually once a month and then fortnightly in the alst 2 months I think

8 weeks is a long time to go tbh

Hi kitty,

do you have your red folder on you? it should have a schedule of when you should book your midwife appointments ( I think mine was at 28 weeks and have another at 31 weeks). I think it varies around the country but sounds like you should have had at least 1 appointment with a midwife in this timescale. If in doubt phone your midwives and advise them of this.

xx

I don't have a red folder, I have my maternity notes that she gave me last time. Also I had a mini Glucose test at 26 weeks and have just realised that they never phoned me with the results. I'm now getting really worried that my midwife is hopeless. Do you think it's ok to wait until my appt on Monday and bring this up with her then?
XX

I'd have thought you'd be ok waiting until then, but I'd bring it up just in case. I've only seen the midwife twice (most recently on Friday for my 28 week check - I was 27 +6 - before that, only at 16 weeks) and saw my GP at 25 weeks. Mine seem to be every three weeks from now on, although I had nothing between 16 weeks and 25 which was quite a long gap, and they'd be less regular if it wasn't my first. From a quick check of my notes, my next one is at 31 weeks (with GP) and then again at 34 (with midwife) - the GP checks in between are extra ones due to it being my first. To be honest, they haven't checked masses, just blood pressure, urine, heartbeat and palpating to make sure it's in the right position - but then again, mine's been relatively straightforward (so far - fingers crossed) - I think they do increase in frequency after 34 weeks though, so you might find the same.

At 34 weeks you should now be having fortnightly checks - from 36-38 weeks (it varies, as people have said) then it should be weekly. I've only just gone to weekly at 37 weeks but it's not my first and has been relatively problem-free.

8 weeks without a check is too long, regardless of first/subsequent and problems/no problems. Once you are past the first trimester, you should be seen at least once a month.

that does seem a long time to go, think you should of had one at 31wks? then every 3wks, then 2wks then 1wks after 38wks IYSWIM

having said that my midwife/doctor is useless and I am now nearly 36wks and haven't had a proper antenatal since 31wks, I feel like just telling them to sod it and i'll ring them when i'm in labour

ask your midwife for a schedule when you next see her

There should be a schedule in your maternity notes I think - there is in mine anyway.

from 34 / 35 weeks i will see mine each week

I am seeing my midwife every 4 weeks unless i need to see her sooner. Its always bad practice that you didnt get your notes till 26 weeks. I would complain. You might be ok but her mistakes could be the falling of another mum later.

Lisa

every 4 weeks after 1st trimester, then every 2 weeks from 28 weeks, moving up to once a week at 36 weeks - think that is the norm unless this practices vary from one health care area to another (which is a possibility)

Things you may have missed out on and these are not standard in the space you havent been seen is a anti d injection if you are rhesus neg (have they checked for this?) and GTT test (again only if req'd for any reason). Do check on these when you go in on Monday.

And if I were you - I wouldnt really accept it. Book your next appt before leaving the one on monday.

Arent you meant to have another set of bloods done at about 28 weeks?

Hi Kitty- that does seem an awful long time. I haven't had more then 4 or 5 weeks between visits. Mind you- my next visit is at 39 weeks and I won't have seen anyone since 36 weeks ( I thought they were weekly fron then).
If I were you I'd ask your MW and tell her you'd feel much better if you could see her a bit more regularly.
X

I have seen a midwife or had an appointment to do with the pg.. at
8weeks
12weeks scan
16weeks
20weeks scan
24weeks
22weeks specialist scan
28weeks scan
30weeks
32weeks scan
34weeks
36weeks scan
37weeks
38weeks
39week appointment is this week on thursday when I will be 39+4 Igf babs hasnt arrived by monday I am at the hospoital for a scan.

Where do you live, kitty? I've noticed that the south of England tends to receive poorer maternity care than in the north (anecdotal so don't jump on me everyone)

will see the midwife at

32 weeks
35 weeks
38 weeks
40 weeks

Hi Kitty - don't know if its any help but I live in Scotland and don't see my midwife nearly so often as most other people who have posted.

so far have seen midwife or GP at

12 weeks
16 weeks
22 weeks
28 weeks
32 weeks

next due at 36 weeks, then 38, then 40(if baby hasn't already come by then!)

I think these things vary from area to area, but you should give your midwife a ring and check. If only just to set your mind at rest.

forgot to say - only got one scan, at 12 weeks.

so clearly some get much more care than others!

I saw midwife @ 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 22 weeks, 26 weeks, 32 weeks, 34 weeks and everyweek after till DD was born!

My last was when I was about 29 weeks and im now 31. They want to see me again at 33.

checkout the NICE guidelines for antenatal care - if you aren't getting at least this level of care, raise it with your midwife