12 week to 20 week, no contact from midwife!

[Jazzy1990]

I think it’s absolutely ridiculous, after my 12 week scan around two weeks ago I realize I will get no appointments till my 20 week scan. They didn’t even bother to tell me how my bloods were. The 16 week appointment has been scraped due to Covid. The least they can do is call you up. Unbelievably ridiculous. My friend is pregnant and In a different borough she’s getting two appointments atleast before her 20 week scan. I’m just so frustrated, first pregnancy and you don’t even know if something was to go wrong you maybe could have done something beforehand.

@sel2223 I guess will have to make do with what’s given. I’m not even thinking about the birthing part cause I’m hoping this go back to normal then. My cousin had a baby and her husband was not allowed in until she was in active labour. I just don’t know how I’d cope if that is still the case when it comes to my time.

Also nice guidelines for testing for gestational diabetes is around 25-26 weeks. However I know some places aren't doing the Glucose tolerance test and doing a random blood test. Which I find shocking as some ladies can be missed for GD xx

@Metallicalover you’re so very blessed to have had that opportunity. I’m thinking of buying a Doppler.

@Jazzy1990 I'm also high risk for diabetes, and so was my sis who had her baby last year - the test isn't normally until 28 weeks so don't worry about that one!
Otherwise it's difficult to advise with being in a different area, most places have the community midwives. Have you looked online for your hospitals maternity services website or Facebook page? I've got lots of information about current practices due to covid and phone numbers etc from those places.

@Jazzy1990 It’s really not ideal just now! I had booking appt over the phone at about 9 weeks then 12 week scan and bloods taken after scan. Nothing else at all booked in after that. Got a random call from the hospital at about 16 weeks (literally a 2 min phonecall from their appointments team) to tell me I’d have a face to face midwife appointment at 22 weeks as they needed a second set of bloods on file for me due to my blood type. Then had my 20 week scan where they sent me along the corridor to a nurse afterward for Whooping Cough vaccine (didn’t know it was happening, hadn’t been scheduled but was glad to get it). So met a midwife for the first time a few days ago at 22 weeks for a 5/10 min appointment. She took bloods, tested urine, checked BP, let me hear the heartbeat for the first time then sat and grilled me on what contraception I wanted after birth 🤔🤣 Next appointment was given to me then and is at 30 weeks. X

FTM and I had a 5 minute 16 week app it was pointless to be honest

@2CatsAndCounting I am so sorry to hear that. Your anger is absolutely justified! How disgusting of the healthcare to play the be game. This is what I’m saying what if there is a problem then what ? What if you suddenly have sugar in your blood or protein or blood in your urine or something happens to the baby god forbid how will you know something is wrong. So frustrating.

Sounds like my pregnancy and my DD is 15 months. I just think there’s not a lot happening at that stage, so if there any problems you can speak to your GP or your local maternity unit.

I wouldn’t buy a Doppler, even midwives can’t struggle to find a heartbeat when the baby is so little. You’d probably just end up making yourself more stressed

@Lola871 having less sugar just Incase, wouldn’t want gestation diabetes. My hospital just has the maternity ward and antenatal ward, the maternity ward you can’t contact till your over 18 weeks. And the antenatal ward just gave me an earful about how it’s Covid and I’d just have to deal with it.

@Ritchie30 I guess it really gets to you when you realize your friend is pregnant just 15 mins alway and her hospital is arranging more appointments and phone calls then I’ll ever be given. Just don’t get why the difference between each hospital.

Honestly, there's not a lot medically for them to do in the first two trimesters. Care does ramp up in the third.

I think the GTT is at 24-28 weeks or something like that.

I think it's standard practice now that no news is good news with regards to blood results. Not just for maternity care. I think the NHS have to minimise unnecessary things- like letters for normal blood results. They'd call you if something came up though.

If it's emotional support you need, could you join some groups/clubs online. Hopefully antenatal/baby groups will open up in time for you to get some support. It can feel very lonely being pregnant!

Care definitely does vary between trusts. I think it's depends on how understaffed they are and the resources available

@Jazzy1990 the urine sticks I mentioned earlier check for signs of UTI too. I find them good for reassurance.
I wouldn't get a doppler though, they just cause so much more stress and anxiety.

I had my blood sugar tested at 28 weeks and had my whooping cough vaccination then too. I've never had any feedback about my 28 week bloods so guessing all was OK.

Try not to stress too much or focus on what's happening at other hospitals as that won't help.

@Hedgehog26 will be giving my GP a call ignore anything is bothering me honestly.

As for the Doppler, I wanted to buy it as I feel so anxious that I won’t know anything till 20 week, so was thinking Doppler would calm my nerves, well I hope so seen as it’s difficult to find the heartbeat with it.

I understand your feelings OP. I work in health and we have to make a note to check the blood results as our computer system is crap and doesn't auto flag up. It means that it is easy for someone to miss results and for that reason I personally won't be relying on the no news is good news mantra (if my pregnancy progresses fingers crossed).

Lucky you! I have to go every week, sometimes twice as high risk. Could do without it really

Also there is (should be) a number on your maternity notes to call! You don't need to call the GP

@Cherrytangfastic hey I guess more care is given in the 3rd trimester which I get. I guess I’m stuck in this limbo with such a long gap always wondering if the baby is ok and nothing going wrong with me will affect it.

@jazzy1990 have you requested a16 wk appt at your gp with community midwife. The community care is often entirely separate to your hospital appointments an you have to arrange yourself.

I do agree with others, other than listening to the heart beat, and taking your bp nothing special happened. No one has ever mentioned my blood results to me. Unless you have a working understanding of blood results what good would it do you? They'll only tell you if there's something array.

Did you explain to anyone your increased chance of gd due to family histories?

Is there really no early pregnancy unit that sound so strange, especially in London!!! Just find another hospital that does have one and contact them! Or the community midwives. Get the number from your gp or local health centre.

Admittedly I was 28 weeks when we locked down but other than my Dh not being able to come to labour until I was 4am dilated there was no difference in my care. Sadly everywhere is different though

@sel2223 ordering the urine sticks right now. Lol. So many have said not to get a Doppler, makes you more anxious when you can’t find the heartbeat I guess that’s true. I’ll be a ball of mess if I couldn’t hear it.

@Wecandothis99 atleast you have a reassurance lol. The number I was given was antenatal and the man that picked up was pretty rude so thought I’d not bother anymore.

@Ginfilledcats I haven’t called my gp regarding community midwife cause they would just say we don’t deal with that the hospital does but I’ll give them a call anyway. As for early pregnancy unit been given no number for that. Just been told any problems go to A&E.

@Jazzy1990 Honestly, I don't think you should have to make do with this. It's shitty that you have to seek out ways to get what I think are basic levels of service. I see a telephone call at 16 weeks as pretty basic. How are they just leaving women from scan to scan? Why, in these times especially, should you have to call your GP or go to A&E ffs if you have a basic pregnancy question or concerns? This actually makes me really angry. What are they going to do about your birth plan appointment? If it makes you feel better, my diabetes test (my mum has it) isn't until the end of September which I think is around 28 weeks.

I recommend (if you haven't already tried this)- research online antenatal groups and Facebook in your area. E.g., Positive Birth Movement, NCT, or other local support networks. I joined an app called 'Peanut' which is for making links with other pregnant women in your area. What pregnancy charities are in your area that provide online support, advice, phonelines, chat services? Are there private midwifes, or doulas services that you can explore? See what's available. I guess the benefit of London is that surely there's a great variety of options that won't be available in smaller cities, even if the increased demand on your local NHS has cut back services to the bare bones.

If your NHS antenatal classes are cancelled (mine are) look into NCT classes and see what you can afford. I got a massive discount as I'm on Universal Credit but if not you can set up payment plans.

I'm just pissed off on your behalf. I think this is just ridiculous. Every pregnant woman should be able to expect a basic 15 minute phonecall between 12 weeks and 20 weeks, I don't expect to go in and see anyone. You should be able to have access to a phone service to speak to midwives and ask questions without searching through the internet to find it.

I would agree with others re not getting a Doppler as even when you are further along you could listen to the heartbeat and reassure yourself but that might stop you getting checked over properly.
Re if your nervous about gestational diabetes pre diagnosis there is a lovely Facebook group called gestational diabetes mums UK and a website to go with it x

I think it's terrible that it varies so much area to area! In my area I had booking in over the phone, but then went in to see the midwife for bloods, urine etc and I have a face to face for my 16 week. Doesnt feel much different to my care for my first two, despite covid. I hope you get some reassurance soon.