What's the point in a midwife?

[Oakie0]

Sorry if this sounds off - but this is my first pregnancy so am a bit clueless, 22 weeks and I don't understand what my midwife is there for / if I should be expecting more (or less) of her.
I am consultant led as am deemed higher risk so understand midwife is less involved because I see consultants instead, but I have spoken to her once in 22 weeks and I didn't really understand the point in that appointment. She told me to text her with any questions, which I had done re my whooping cough and flu vaccinations, and Mat B1 form as I hadn't heard anything about when I should have any of them, and she never replied to any of those. I asked my consultant then GP directly so that's sorted now but I don't feel I can ask the midwife anything and am not sure if I should be?

My midwife told me to text her to remind her to book me an appointment at 26 weeks which I thought was odd that I have to remind her.
At my last consultant appointment they asked me when I was due to see her and I said 26 weeks but they told me to bring it forward to 24 weeks - so I text the midwife and asked her to do this and she replied to me asking for proof, I felt like she thought I was lying, it was like a battle! I sent her a copy of the consultants notes and then she booked it in for 26 weeks anyway so that was pointless!
On one hand I don't really mind as I don't feel like I get anything from my appointments with her anyway, but I worry incase there is something I end up missing due to this all being new to me and if she should be helping me a bit more.

Community midwives, in fact all midwives, are under severe pressure. Community midwives don’t really have a lot of involvement other than doing check ups and measurements really, until after baby is born.

You are consultant led but you will still have the usual check ups with the community midwife. These check ups increase later on on the pregnancy.

What vaccinations are you referring to? The ones your child will receive?

You are responsible for your care. You are not fighting between consultant advice and midwife advice. GP has to sign of MATB1.

This is what I mean about not relying on mumsnet for my own medical advice.

I don’t believe I am responsible for my own antenatal care otherwise why would does anyone see a consultant, doctors etc.
I’ve not had the ‘usual’ check ups with my midwife as per the NHS website.
I have had to fight between midwife and consultant over conflicting advice.
I have my MATB1 form and it was not signed off by a GP.

At no point have I suggested that any of the medical staff that I’ve come across aren’t under pressure, I don’t understand what it is in my messages that seem to make people think I am suggesting that, my initial question was around what the role of the midwife was.

Can’t believe people are justifying this. OP the way you have been treated sounds neglectful. I had my first baby in 2019 and my midwives were fantastic and really hands on. Right from the start. I’ve heard it’s got a lot worse during covid. If I were you I’d complain OP.

I'm only 12 weeks and rang my midwife last week because I've been feeling off. I had my bloods done at 6 weeks , so I'm going in next week to have more done and they rang me back after 24 hours to book me in. Told me to ring anytime with questions. I'm also consultant led . I'm also moving in a few weeks and my midwife booked me in for my 16 week appointment at 14 weeks , so she could print my blood test results before I move and discuss them with me .It does sound like your midwife is a bit crap.

@2littleonesx

I've bee consultant led through this pregnancy and I saw a midwife for the first time at 38 weeks (last Tuesday) and it's the first time anyone has taken any notice of my concerns regarding my previous traumatic birth, I'm now booked for elective c section on Monday aaah! I do understand you feel like you're not getting enough care - I certainly did. Consultants are very medial and it is just regarding your medical needs, I never realised how much better it is to see a midwife!!

Regarding MATB1 - the rules have changed regarding this, it's 25 weeks for first time mum and 28 weeks for second time, they can't do it any earlier in afraid, lots of people kicking off at the hospital yesterday over it! X

Incorrect regarding MAT B1. Women who work need a MATB1 before 28 weeks. You just need to ask for it. You just can't get it more than 20 weeks before due date.

@Rubyrecka

Please remember you're not the only pregnant lady the midwife see's.

Slightly patronising.

My midwife is pretty helpful.

Whoever said matb1 form is third trimester isn't the case, you should get it from 20 weeks.

The internet can be helpful but it also can be a hindrance after all they are the professionals they know your medical history and test results so i would also text or ring your midwife for advice/questions you have first rather than Google or Mumsnet.

Definitely agree!

Google is not always a reliable source of information and Mumsnet is most certainly not.

OP, some midwives are crap and it's not on that she is not responding to your messages.

Thanks Bizawit, I am surprised at some of the responses too to be honest, seems that some people’s experiences range from being good to similar to mine.

I’m not looking to put in an official complaint as it stands I just feel like if things are missed it could lead to a potentially dangerous situation - for me, or anyone else experiencing the same issues.

I’m not a medical professional, this is my first pregnancy. I’ve had some complications so yes, I do expect some level of consistent support or a response, but some of the earlier responses are almost accusatory over the fact that I was just asking if I was expecting too much from a midwife. I know that I can easily go on to google and self-diagnose any of the issues that have made me high risk but I doubt that would be helpful for anyone in the long run.

I also know that the NHS is extremely understaffed and I’m not trying to take away from that, does it mean I should expect / be ok with no level of care?!
And it also goes to show that there’s several self-assured posters here very happy to give incorrect advice.
Should I also write my own notes in the medical pages of my maternity pack? Guess how far along the baby is on the growth chart? Go through labour on my own because going in to hospital puts strain on the NHS? 🙄

Oh that does not sounds like good midwife support! I was also consultant led in my first pregnancy but still valued the support I got from the midwives. They were always at the end of the phone to reassure or give me advice when I had a weird discharge or when baby movements felt weird.

They did my free prescriptions certificate, my bloods, blood pressure and baby heartbeat from 16 weeks and most importantly supported me and got me extra help when I was very anxious about the pregnancy and giving birth.

They advised me on whooping cough cough vaccine (16 weeks), they gave me my MAT1B certificate which I needed by 25 weeks for work (you have to notify your employer by 25 weeks, 28 weeks is too late!) and when I gave birth, they were amazing and all the care I ended up needing.

Even this time around, I had a long and supportive booking appointment with my midwife. They always plan the next appointment before I leave so I know when I'm seeing them next and I would call them if I had any questions at all.

Consultants are great but they are there to do the heavy lifting medically. The midwives are there for the journey. If you can, do try and be more assertive about what you need and your expectations. It will get you much better support.

I was high risk with twins during my last pregnancy so didn't really see my midwife either but she did keep in touch and asked me to do the same and booked me in for appointments face to face just to check I was ok

I wouldn't like the whole "text" if you need anything that your midwife uses either

There is no standardised midwife care at all so it's very much dependant on how your local team does things

I have noticed chronic understaffing though - lots of times I'd go to book say a 16 week appointment and due to staff illness / absence they were delayed - also tended to only be done on one day of the week which I found a bit restrictive and would have been difficult for some women had we not all been working from hone/shielding due to covid