Should I cancel all further midwife appointments?

[wondering7777]

I’m 33 weeks pregnant and have four midwife appointments left plus a 36 week scan at the hospital.

The midwife appointments are at my local GP’s surgery and I’m feeling very anxious at the thought of having to sit in a waiting room surrounded by ill people.

The surgery isn’t the nicest of places at the best of times - there’s never any loo roll in the toilet for one thing.

Do I really need to continue with the urine tests and bump measuring or is it safer to cancel these appointments and stay at home now?

I'd carry on going, besides, most GPs near me have now closed to most patients so there should hopefully be less chance of germs.

What about all the people my midwife will be seeing for appointments, who could pass it onto her and then to me?

No, it’s so important. I have monthly bloods and obs at my gp and it’s business as usual they’re just asking you arrive on time for appointment and not before so you’re reducing time hanging in the waiting room. Your health and babies is too important to risk not checking and most people are avoiding non essential appointments now. My doctor said he’s never been this quiet, and they answered the phone immediately today which never happens, let alone on a Monday!

You need to speak to your midwife. Of course your appointments are important and shouldn't be missed - they're booked for the health and safety of you and your baby x

They'll probably cancel on you anyway my GP surgery is shut down with only telephone appointment's allowed so i haven't had my 6 week postnatal check and DS won't be getting his 8 week vaccines now either

If you’re low risk they might offer you telephone appts with the midwife for routine things. You could ask if you are very anxious. Is the 36 week scan routine or because you have particular risk factors? They can’t scan you over the phone. I think the risks associated with not being seen outweigh those associated with potentially contracting or passing on the virus. I am 36 weeks and have two scans and three MW appts booked over the coming weeks and will be attending, with appropriate precautions, unless told otherwise

I suspect in the coming days there will be some guidance shared either nationally or locally on how you will manage to isolate when there are things like appointments to consider.
It may be that frequency of appointments is reduced where possible and you are visited at home. Obviously if you need to go to hospital for any reason, a scan etc they will weigh up the risk and make that decision.

The guidance so far is here

“ What should you do if you have hospital and GP appointments during this period?
We advise everyone to access medical assistance remotely, wherever possible. However, if you have a scheduled hospital or other medical appointment during this period, talk to your GP or clinician to ensure you continue to receive the care you need and consider whether appointments can be postponed.”

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

Rather difficult to postpone antenatal appts of course given that you’re on a somewhat fixed timeline

Thanks all. The 36 week scan is routine and is at the hospital.

The midwife appointments just seem to consist of a urine test, bump measurement and Doppler check now - all of which I know are important.

I think the risks associated with not being seen outweigh those associated with potentially contracting or passing on the virus.

You’re right, I should go - it’s just the thought of sitting in that surgery makes me so anxious!

Speak to your midwife but I think you'd be taking a greater risk not attending your appointments. The closer you get to birth the more important I think it is to have them. You're entering the time when your body is reaching its limits and thus is where problems arise. Early detection and intervention will prevent anything getting too serious. Really just speak to your midwife

Cross post, good decision. Maybe take some handsanitiser and slather it in for peace of mind

I agree that communicating your concerns with the midwife is the right first step, especially given govt guidance above. She will hopefully either reassure you or offer alternatives. And agree with other suggestions eg turning up bang on time to minimise hanging around, take your own loo roll, soap etc if you’re worried about the cleanliness of the surgery

turning up bang on time to minimise hanging around

The last two times I’ve been the appointments have been running 20 minutes late, but appreciate what you’re saying. The less time I can spend there the better!

Yep, same here! There is little point arriving early at the best of times

Can you wait in the car or outside?

I have a midwife apt today - she often runs late too. I'm going to sign in and then wait outside, and tell the receptionist that they can stick their head out the door to call me in! I'm sure people will understand

We had to go to the GP today for an unavoidable appointment. There were people coughing in the waiting room right near a group of elderly people who looked terrified. It’s awful.

Just seen this on another thread (hope they don’t mind me copying and pasting). Scary that we have to expose ourselves to other people’s illnesses (and potentially CV) just for a routine visit to the midwife!

I would check with you Midwife to see what precautions they are pulling in place. It may be that they will change to home visits

I'd check with the midwife if a home visit is possible. If not, wait outside of the surgery and use hand sanitizer and possibly use a mask?

@wondering7777 I had a midwife appt yesterday and they were great. Phoned me in advance to check if I had symptoms then asked me to wait by side door and they would collect me from there to avoid other people. I think most will be coming up with similar plans over next few days.

Thanks. I don’t have a mask or hand sanitizer unfortunately as I wasn’t able to buy before it all sold out. I will try to wait outside but even the midwife’s room is worrying me - it’s very small and if the last person in there had CV they’ll have touched various surfaces. I guess the best I can do is make sure I don’t touch my face and get home to wash my hands as quickly as possible.

My 40 week appointment diagnosed me with sudden onset of gestational diabetes. I was taken immediately to hospital to be induced.
Things can change overnight when you’re pregnant so you must keep going.

My midwife cancelled my appointments. My next one is the same day as my 20 week scan.

I went into the GP yesterday to request a repeat prescription. The chairs had been removed and those remaining were 4ft apart. No one was waiting as they are doing all initial appointments over the phone - screening them so to speak. Midwife appointments are on a Thursday there and are planned to go ahead but it looks like precautions are being taken. I understand your worry, I’m a high risk pregnancy so lots of scans and appointments. I actually have 2 scans next week both at the hospital and feel like I’m going to be going into the eye of the storm! X