Feeling lost after 28 wk appointment

[Cherryrainbow]

Saw the midwife today and ill be honest i have no idea if i saw my actual midwife or a different one as it seems to be a diff one each time. To give an idea my general feeling from gps and other staff there is they want u in and out as quick as possible.

1. I've been told in past calls I need to get blood tests done again at this appointment - i asked what was happening with that and she said I could ask the consultant at hospital next week about getting tests done. I assume if I just verbally tell them I need it theyll do them at hospital as no forms were added?

1. No one knows why I've been referred to a consultant? When I saw them a few weeks ago they asked why midwife referred me and I said I assume cos of my fibroids or mental health and they said it was stuff I could talk to midwife not them about. I asked her today if it was necessary to see them next week again or cancel and she said she didn't know I should still go and see what they say. But I still have no idea what we are meant to be looking for/talking about?!

1. Blood pressure was fine, She measured bump but didn't say anything so I assume it was a normal measurement, She listened to heartbeat and said that was good. My ketones are a little high but I hadn't eaten much before the appointment. So I assume every thing is ok on that front, no news is good news, happy with that.

1. I posted on here a while ago due to my cousins wifes still birth in December, the closer I get to my due date my anxiety about something going wrong like me or the baby dying is increasing. I was encouraged to talk about it to midwife so when I brought it up in the appointment today all she said was "right ok" and wrote a note on today's notes.

1. She asked if I had had my whooping cough injection yet and I said no I dont think so,i haven't had an injection for years I don't think. She said I should call and book it asap and also see her again in 4 weeks time. Is this a normal thing you have to have it during pregnancy or within so many years? It's first time I've heard I need a whooping cough injection so wasn't sure if it's a generic thing or pregnancy thing.

I came out of the appointment just like ... deflated? I know I'm probably being iversensitive and it was a normal appointment. Work dropped on me that they want me to return again from end of July so I have some anxiety about that as well as I'll be 31 weeks by then. Think I needed to vent more than anything but does this sound like a normal appointment? X

Do you have a phone number for your midwifery team? I really recommend you call them and say exactly this to them.
Also have a look on the NHS website (if you’re in the UK) read up on whooping cough, and antenatal appointments.
You should not be left feeling this way, and I really think you deserve a midwife to properly talk you through everything.
I haven’t had the same midwife yet (23 weeks). In the NHS trust I am with continuity of care was rolled out. But due to the pandemic it hasn’t been possible for them, so you may not get the continuity.
I hope you’re ok. Sending you love x

It does sound quite normal especially as due to Covid things seem to be very all over the place.

You definitely should have your bloods redone at 28 weeks. They check your iron levels and stores again. Last pregnancy mine highlighted some issues with my iron stores. It’s quite normal for them to let the consultant doing them if your consultant lead. My midwife didn’t ever listen to baby or measure my bump because consultant didn’t that / I was having growth scans but she did always do my bloods but each trust is different

Whooping cough vaccine is routine in pregnancy these days. It’s offered between 16-32 weeks. Most places do it at 20 week scan but you should be able to arrange for it via midwife at hospital or GP. You are meant to have it every pregnancy (I had 2 pregnancies close together and had it again despite having it less than a year before). Unfortunately there has been a massive rise in cases of whooping cough in babies and it can be very nasty so the most effective way to
Protect them is via vaccinating us

I also got referred to a consultant and it took forever to find out why! Turned out it was about my mental health as I had depression four years ago. I didn’t need the appointment and cancelled it. Perhaps yours is for the same.
Whooping cough vaccine should be done after 16 weeks of pregnancy, I had to book mine with my GP.
Hope things improve for you x

Everyone gets blood tests at 28 weeks I believe but I’m not there yet it just says it on my maternity pack so definitely ask someone about that ASAP, that’s strange that no one knows why you’ve been referred to a consultant but it should say it in your notes somewhere if you read through, I think most people get anxiety about things but since it’s your cousins wife there’s no increased risk on your pregnancy they would only be concerned if it was your mum that has had a still birth, I highly recommend the whooping cough jab it don’t harm you or the baby but can save your little ones life as whooping cough can be fatal to babies, and they off this jab to everyone..

Try to relax a little bit and you should have midwife numbers to call and ask questions if you are still stressed x

Agree with previous posters, give them a call. They are doing a lot of phone advice just now.

I had an October baby and was also given flu jag which I was later grateful for when dh got flu when baby was a few weeks old.

Didn’t want to read and run, seems like you are having tough time and I’m sure like many other pregnant women, COVID-19 has massively affected your care. Your appointment sounds kind of normal, if a bit hurried.

I’ll give you what happened at my midwife appointments (I have birth at beginning of lockdown) - I nearly always saw the same one and she told me when it would be someone else as she was on holiday etc.

1. Had all of my blood tests done by midwife at appointments (think I only needed routine checks)

1. I was referred to the consultant and no one knew why. They just saw me and closed the referral

1. Did you get the growth marked on your chart in your notes? If they didn’t say anything, it will have been fine

1. You must be worried about this. Why don’t you call the midwife’s number to discuss it further with someone? I know they have a lot to get through in a short appointment, but they should have listened to your concerns

1. Whooping cough and flu vaccine are recommended for pregnant women - usually you will need to book an appointment with your GP or practice nurse for this

Take care op

Oh Op that sounds dreadful! I saw the midwife at my doctors surgery and I always saw the same one - but I was referred to a consultant also (BMI and bump size) and at the hospital it was clear you saw lots of different midwives. I found the hospital terrifying but my midwife was amazing - she was so calm and so lovely and took the absolute best care of me. If I could have had her attend my birth I would have been delighted!
Whooping cough was offered at 20 weeks at the local birthing centre where my scan was held - it's to protect baby from WC for the first few months of her life.
The other things - you need to discuss with a midwife and I think you should ask for another appointment - either over the phone or in person - and really push for clarity. It doesn't sound fair to leave you hanging like this.

Thanks ladies i feel a bit more reassured!

I'll call gp tomorrow and book the whooping cough injection, I'll also still go to the consultant appointment to see if I can get any clarity about things.

Thanks to the poster as well who gave some perspective about the still birth risks - sometimes stats can be reassuring.
On my dad's side of the family I believe he was meant to be a twin but only one who survived. I haven't been in touch with my dad or that side for over a decade tho so I'm just going on a vague memory of what he told me. If risk is more tied in with mum's side of family then I believe that looks well. I have anxiety and panic attacks so I know I'm likely over thinking stuff and know anything could happen. I just hope I don't have a panic attack during labour :(

@Cherryrainbow sorry to hear you haven't been looked after well, I find if I've an issue I do ring the midewife team and they do there best to help, I think like others have said covid hasn't helped the matter, what I wanted to say after reading your last comment is have you thought about hypnobirthing? As your anxious about the Labour ect I've just booked a course as I've had miscarriages and keep hearing bad labour experiences so I wanted to take control and learn how to keep relaxed in those precious times x

If you have fibroids I expect you were referred to the consultant for that issue, plus maybe your mental health. Usually it's written in your notes somewhere why you've been referred?