Not happy about midwife appointments

[kittypower]

I'm feeling a bit unsettled by my midwife, I had my last appt with her when I was 26 weeks, which was bascially a 10 min check, I had the next appointment today and I am 35+4 and it again lasted about 10 mins max, I had some questions for her and she kind of breezed through them not really giving me a straight answer. Then at the end she said she would see me again at 40 weeks, I pointed out that surely I would have had the baby by then and that I would like more regular appointments between now and then with a bit more explanation each time as to what was going on and she said i could go to the doctor in between if I wanted to!! I just feel this is totally wrong and I should be seeing her more so she can keep an eye of what's going on, otherwise how does she does what position the baby is in between now and when I give birth etc etc. Am I being paranoid do you think?

XXX

I think it's partly a case of midwives being overstretched- hence the 10 min appts. But also that you're pregnant- you don't have a lifethreatening illness or something. I don't mean that to sound harsh, but really- what's going to change by next week? you'll still be pregnant, just a week further on. You're obviously a low-risk pregnancy and your midwife is confident that you don't need checking on every week
If there is something concerning you then of course you should make another appt to see the midwife and yes she should listen to any concerns you have and explain anything that you need more information on instead of brushing it aside or giving you leaflets (although you now have the chance to read about it at your leisure and get all the facts as and when you want to)

What more do you want your midwife to do?
Maybe it's just me but I found a lot of my appopintments completely pointless. Go in, check blood and urine and go home again- what a waste of everyone's time.

Sorry fingerwoman but I disagree. Those appointments would not have been pointless had something been wrong. Reassuring the mother is hardly pointless either.

That said, I think there is more an issue with attitude than actual time spent.

I was very fortunate to receive the most fanstastic ante- and post- natal care from my community midwives. From a very busy and over-stretched team too I might add.

I am not saying that reassuring the mother is pointless- i specifically said that if she is concerned then of course she should go back and see the midwife.
there is nothing stopping kittypower from making an appt every week if that's what she wants to do- her midwife is simply suggesting that she doesn't need to see her because she is obviously low-risk.

a complication could occur anywhen- should we all be seeing a midwife every day???

Thanks fingerwoman, I think that's what I was trying to say but also trying not to sound uncaring. Pregnancy isn't a state of ill health, and I think we sometimes have to stop women feeling like they are teetering on the brink of disaster at any moment and just trust their bodies rather than what a health professional tells them. From my experience womens' expectations (mine too first time round) and actual care can be poles apart. I felt the same with number two, that the appointments were a bit of a pain sometimes with another child in tow and knowing I was fine.

I accept that pregnancy is not an illness, but regular check-ups are important (even though they seem like a waste of time when everything is going smoothly). In my opinion, most importnant of all is continuity of care - seeing the same midwife throughout. How are women supposed to feel comfortable discussing things like domestic abuse, embarrassing symptoms etc, when every time they have an appointment it is with someone different. Let alone feel comfortable and at ease in labour...

This is my second pg and so far my experience is much worse this time around. In my area I'm not suitable for midwife led care, but shared care, which as far as I see it means no one takes responsibility for me. I haven't yet seen the same person twice. I'm rhesus negative, had a c/s 1st time round followed by a major haemmorhage and a v large baby. My personal notes seem to come as a surprise to every health professional I meet.

At my appointment which I made to have the anti D injection last week, the hospital had lost my notes, I had to remind them to give me the anti D, and the following day I had a call from the hospital asking which blood tests I had had, because they had lost the notes of the appointment!! I have to prompt the hospital about tests that I need, and I would dearly like to discuss options about vbac but trying to get an appointment with my named midwife is like trying to meet the Scarlet Pimpernel.

of course women with low risk pgs don't need to be seen every day. but the op is unlikely to be seen by the midwife before she gives birth and this has left her feeling very anxious. understandable, no?

surely the last few weeks of pg are when most women - especially, but not exclusively, in first time pregnancies - are likely to want to discuss issues and decisions to do with labour and birth. and isn't that - to some extent at least -the midwife's job?

checking urine and BP is importnat though, as can indicate possible pre eclampsia, which is really serious

also, never underestimate the power of kind and reassuring words to a pregnant woman

Agree with Lulumama re the importance of regular checks. It sounds a bit substandard unless the m/w expects you to be seeing the GP in between, which sounds like shared care, in which case you need to get some appts yourself at the GPs.

As to lack of explanation etc, I find that people that fluff around and give out leaflets and skirt around the questions, have a lack of knowledge, interest or both. Its just as quick to tell someone the pros and cons as it is to find the leaflet. Thank goodness for mn and google.

Do you really want to see more of this midwife

I fully understand that i haven't got an illness, but at the same time I totally expect to be given the care and attention during the final weeks of my pregnancy to make me feel comfortable. If she is not seeing me because I have a low risk pregnancy, then I would like to be told this, not have to assume this is the case.
To say what can change week by week, therefore more regular appointments are a waste of everyone's time is just crazy in my books. I should hope that a lot will be changing week by week and that is the whole point, I have no idea what can go wrong - which is why I would like to see the midwife (as surely she is the professional here) and be talked through and reassured that everything is alright. I don't feel that after not seeing her for nearly 10 weeks it is adequate to whizz me in and out in 10 mins and brush my questions aside and then tell me she won't see me again until 40 weeks - when i asked about when we talk about what birth I want - I was met with 'you can write a birth plan if you want' and then ushered out.....I'm sorry if this has turned into a rant, but I'm really annoyed about this.

unless this midwife has a crystal ball, there is no way to know how a pregnancy is going without checking. and low risk doesnt mean risk free. out of order not to get checked more often, imo.

You have every right to be annoyed. As lulumama has pointed out you should have bp and urine monitored, esp at this point. My pre-eclampsia developed between my 34 and 36 week checkups and I really didn't realize anything was going wrong b/c I expected to feel rather crap by then any IYKWIM.

kittypower, as lulumama says you need to be checked every 1/2 weeks from now on due to the possibility of pre-eclampsia which can come on very suddenly and doesn't always present with symptoms. Not meaning to scare you, as most women do not get it and those that do get it mildly. But I'm just saying that you are right to challenge what this midwife is saying, and I go along with everyone who says make sure you get yourself checked by the GP if the midwife won't fit you in. Also, you need to be confident that you know what to do once labour comes on, what are the protocols re your waters breaking, have you got the number for the labour ward etc. Don't be fobbed off, it's not good enough. Good luck!

Sorry meant to say most of those that get pre-eclampsia get it mildly. But of course it can be a very serious condition if not picked up

Kittypower I have noticed that you are with C&W. I am very surprised by care you have been offered by them.
I am with C&W and 38 weeks now and have been happy with them so far. I had my scans at 12 and 21 weeks. My first appointment with a midwife was at 15 weeks ? it was delayed by more than half an hour but she spent about 45 min with me explaining everything (including proper diet). My next appointments with midwife were at 21, 26, 34, 36 and I will have one at 40 weeks. As she advised I also saw my GP at 24, 30 and 38 weeks. Each time they checked my urine, BP and since 24 weeks measured my belly and checked heartbeat and baby position. I have my blood tests done 3 times including glucose at 26 weeks. Each appointment last about 15 min and all my questions were answered. The delay (except first appointment) has never been longer then 10-20 min. My pregnancy is not high risk; everything has been fine so far?
I also attended C&W antenatal classes and I learnt a lot in general (including vitamin K issue) but also about hospital and their policy.
I do not really understand how it is possible to receive so different level and quality of care in the same hospital?.

If it's C&W they give you a list of what appts you should have in which week. My list says
21 weeks midwife
26 weeks midwife
30 weeks GP
34 weeks midwife
36 weeks midwife
38 weeks midwife
39 weeks GP
40 weeks midwife
41 weeks midwife

This is like the general list taht EVERYONE is supposed to get. My own schedule has been quite different because I'm seen more often due to twin pregnancy. But the above list is the norm.

Sorry - should have said, at C&W, I'm being seen by the ASH team of midwives - but I wouldn't have thought it should make a difference which team you are with.

i haven't seen midwife since 16wks, and i'm 26wks now. Have had a scan in between, which was fine. Have only had booking bloods done aswell, no other blood tests.

I'm sure i had more than this last year with DS

i am low risk and pretty healthy (as far as i know!) though.

Maybe you don't have so many appts with a 2nd pregnancy? If you've done it before and are low-risk that would make sense maybe?

That's what DH said