Lack of midwife care

[Rosabuddy]

I’m starting to get a bit annoyed at the lack of midwife care and communication I have received in this pregnancy. I’m a FTM, 34 weeks and haven’t had any contact with a midwife since 16weeks. I had my scan at 20weeks pre Covid, my 25week appointment was cancelled, even though I am a risk for preeclampsia and need my bp monitored. I had a consultant appointment at 28 weeks and then wasn’t going to be seen again until 34 weeks but pushed for a 32 week check Instead with consultant (I need growth scans) and today I received a letter saying I wouldn’t be getting a community midwife visit before the baby is born and they would be in touch 10-14 days after baby is born, which really could mean anything. I was told I would have regular telephone calls from a midwife but have heard nothing. I know that the nhs is stretched at the minute but surely this is unacceptable care?

I’m so sorry you’re experiencing this. It must depend where you are, because not all trusts are like this. Could it be that your midwife is off sick and you’ve slipped through the net? Is there a number you could call to query about it?
As a first time mum you definitely need more support x

That sounds deeply worrying. Where are you?
Are you getting urine and BP checks?
There is UK national guidance on what is the bare minimum acceptable level of care during the pandemic but some trusts seem to be treating it as if that is an advised target.
I left the NHS last year & work privately now. My independent midwife colleagues and I are seeing a huge number of women who have turned to us to provide safe and supportive care. I am offering free checks to anyone in my village, as well as paid for face to face consultations which comply with expert infection control guidance.

Are you sure the letter was about a midwife visit? I wonder if it might be about the health visitor, who takes over from the midwifery team , usually around 10 days after birth.
You still need antenatal care though.

I’m in northern Ireland, and I can’t fault the care I have received at appointments that have not been cancelled. I had my bp and urine checked at 12week, 16week, 28weeks and 32 weeks, when I saw the consultant. The letter I got was from the community midwife team and I think the health visitor is part of their team. I totally understand everyone has to make sacrifices at the minute, I just feel very under prepared, with the antenatal classes cancelled and the online links I was told to look at were not really all that helpful. I think I just need a good rant lol

What trust are you with? If you've had consultant appointments I don't think you've missed much. Your appointments sound similar to mine? I had a 25 week one though and I am seeing the community midwives for my 28 week appointment. I had to organise this myself as neither my GP receptionist or hospital knew who they were. I think it's very trust dependant tbh. Then I'm back with the consultant from 32 weeks. Have you looked on the NI Maternity website? It has numbers for all the various services etc