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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Just been told first midwife appt will be over phone

31 replies

Luckyme30 · 31/03/2020 10:39

As above just been told my first appointment (tomorrow) will be over the phone.

Not got too much of an issue with this other than that I thought they took bloods and urine samples to test for certain things?

Is that right, I am slightly concerned about my iron levels and was hoping that I could mention this at my appointment!

Has anyone had theirs over the phone, if so were bloods mentioned?

OP posts:

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inwood · 31/03/2020 10:40

I didn't have any bloods or urine samples at m/w appointment. I remember being quite disappointed that it was very very dull going over medical history.

dustyphoenix · 31/03/2020 10:44

Yep, it was all admin/medical history at my booking appt too. Bloods and urine don't come till much later.

didslysquiddlydoo · 31/03/2020 10:46

I had both bloods / bp / urine plus the medical history stuff... strange how it varies in different areas! I guess if you have particular concerns about your iron they might arrange for you to get your bloods done?

twinkletits99 · 31/03/2020 10:46

My first midwife appointment didn't include bloods or a urine sample. In fact I don't think I ever had bloods done throughout my pregnancy. They did take my blood pressure however and I do think it's important to have this done as they need to look out for any spikes. They may well want to see you for this reason later on. Best thing to do is just ask what differences there will be re telephone and in person appointments and how any risk will be mitigated.

esmerelda1988 · 31/03/2020 10:47

I had bloods and urine done at my booking appointment, around 8 weeks. Think they were checking for infections, STDs etc. They took both samples at my home during the appointment, although I wouldn't imagine that's happening now.

peachypetite · 31/03/2020 10:47

I’ve been asked to bring a sample for my first in a few weeks so don’t know why people are saying it comes much later?

twinkletits99 · 31/03/2020 10:47

In fact, I did have bloods but not until much later. Apologies. Baby brain never left me.

katmarie · 31/03/2020 10:49

I had bloods and urine at my booking in appt for my second, but for the first I had to go to phlebotomy at the hospital separately, because the midwife couldn't get blood out of me, so you may find yourself sent there for blood tests.

mightybuzz · 31/03/2020 10:55

First appt is just a chat, really - basic questions and to ask if you're taking vitamins - second appointment is bloods/urine/form.

MyDcAreMarvel · 31/03/2020 10:57

If you are worried about your iron just buy iron supplements on amazon. Even if your iron levels are fine they will do no harm.

ChrisPrattsFace · 31/03/2020 11:00

I had urine and blood at my booking in appointment. I then had emergency referral to be admitted!
If you had any concerns I would imagine you’ll be seen, but if your areas first appointment is just clerical then I imagine that over the phone is fine!

Original poster

Luckyme30 · 31/03/2020 11:04

I will raise my concerns with her over the phone. It is a bit disappointing as I am suffering with my mental health terribly. I won’t go into the details but was referred to the perinatal team who have also (in my opinion) turned their back back on me - GP is in agreement and referring me to another team...

So I really did have a lot to discuss which can be difficult over the telephone, also have 2 consultant letters to show her which I now won’t be able to do - it does concern me about things being missed but I do understand the need for phone consults at the moment.

It will also be the first time ‘meeting’ the midwife but I’ll be sure to raise my concerns and hopefully they’ll call me/send me somewhere for tests If they feel I need them.

It’s quite a sad time to be pregnant :(

OP posts:

twinkletits99 · 31/03/2020 11:11

@luckyme30 not a sad time to be pregnant at all! Pregnancy is tough at any time. Yes we are in lockdown and we can't get out and about as much as we can, but as someone who has given birth semi recently, I assure you you'll be glad when your child is a toddler, that we aren't in lockdown anymore :)

Discuss your concerns with your midwife, including those re your mental health and feeling abandoned by peri natal team (this is very important - be pushy if you feel you can).

Wishing you all the best OP.

BoxOfBabyCheeses · 31/03/2020 11:15

@inwood could you scan the letters and ask to email them to her?

I am not pregnant, but I have been suffering badly since this is my 4th week home and I have no idea when I get to leave my house for more than an hour. My doctors have prescribed an antidepressant and sent the prescription to my local chemist. They may be able to do something similar?

I hope you have your worries taken seriously. Do you have support from friends and family?

Original poster

Luckyme30 · 31/03/2020 11:36

Thanks both. I’m going to suggest that I scan the letters in and email them over to her.

I have my partner around (I haven’t told anyone else) and he is very good but I don’t want to ruin his excitement with my feeling ‘down’ about it all, so I try not to burden him too much with it all.

I was on anti-depressants which I came off when I found out I was pregnant, my GP has suggested I try a different one (that is more compatible with pregnancy) so this is an option, although I’m just awaiting my referral to another peri natal team so that I can explore my options.

I feel I’m going to have to be pushy about getting some extra support in pregnancy - I was deemed low risk by the perinatal team and did express my concerns with them but they said there was many more women deemed ‘high risk’ who were experiencing mental health crisis and I just wasn’t in that category - hence my GP agreeing to referring me to another team - meaning I have to travel but it’s something I’m willing to do just to get some extra support.

I will be pushy with my midwife tomorrow If I feel it’s not being taken seriously, I guess I just feel really bad as know they are overworked and could probably do without patients like me hassling them!

OP posts:

MyDcAreMarvel · 31/03/2020 11:44

I don’t want to ruin his excitement with my feeling ‘down’ about it all, so I try not to burden him too much with it all. op please talk to your partner it wouldn’t be a burden to him that’s your mental health telling you that. You need the support from him and a loving partner would rather you were supported.

Emmagen · 31/03/2020 11:48

I'm having my booking appointment over the phone as well. They do normally test bloods and urine. I was told that that would now be part of my 12wk scan. Along with weight and blood pressure being taken.

It means that it's one face to face appointment rather than 2. I'm ok with that but I have no concerns health wise so am not worried. I'm more worried about having to go to the scans alone when bad news is possible and I'd be on my own and have to drive myself home after.

tallah · 31/03/2020 11:49

I had mine on the phone but then they told me I still have to come in for bloods so it's a stupid system!

Emerald89 · 31/03/2020 11:50

It's unfortunate but we are all in the same boat in that nobody is having routine hospital appointments anymore face to face if they can be done over the phone. I've been waiting to see my consultant (not pregnancy related) for a year after the clerks didn't rebook me in so my 6 month review turned into a 12 months one; my appointment next Wednesday is now going to be over the phone. This is my first pregnancy, and a lot of the usual face to face contacts will now be telephone based. Those are special experiences lost, but we all knows it is for the greater public good and to keep us, other mothers and NHS staff healthy. There will be a greater chance of things being missed through telephone consultations so you are right to want to be on the ball.

Try to focus on the good things -you're pregnant, for one thing, that's amazing in itself!

Emerald89 · 31/03/2020 11:51

@tallah infection risk from taking bloods (usually takes a few minutes) is lower than spending 15-20 minutes in an enclosed room together.

tallah · 31/03/2020 11:53

@Emerald89 that's not the case, I've been told I will be there for two hours. I'm not going tho.

Emerald89 · 31/03/2020 11:56

@tallah is it a glucose tolerance test? it doesn't take 2 hours to just take a set of bloods so possibly they are doing a glucose tolerance test?

tallah · 31/03/2020 11:59

@Emerald89 ah potentially as I had GD last time. She was waffling so much I switched off. I can't bring myself to go into the hospital right now either way

mambanumber5 · 31/03/2020 12:54

I'm 25 weeks. My appointments are over the phone now where possible and I'm higher risk. I've bought some wee dip sticks from amazon. It's not ideal but it's the glucose level you need to look at. If
You are very worried you can also get a home blood pressure monitor relatively easily. These are difficult times and to be honest I would rather not be in close proximity to a hcp if I don't need to be. I'm sure they feel the same.

I was admitted recently and I saw a couple taking their new baby home. I felt so sorry for them that they wouldn't be getting to show their child to their families in person.

mambanumber5 · 31/03/2020 12:56

@Emmagen don't go on your own to the scan. Have your partner wait for you in the car. It's not ideal but you can still be supported.

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