Cancelled midwife appointments

[RT5463]

Hi ladies,

My 36 week midwife appointment was cancelled at the last minute as the midwife had to self-isolate. I completely understand this but I asked whether I could see someone else (quite a few work there) or at least switch to a telephone consultation but apparently this wasn't possible.

I am 38 weeks this week and understand that I am supposed to have another appointment this week. I have been calling and leaving messages with the midwives about booking this in but haven't had a response so I assume my 38 week check up won't happen either. I haven't been seen now since 34 weeks.

I'm a bit worried because this is a high risk pregnancy (I have cervical insufficiency following a large LLETZ) and have been monitored by the pre-term birth clinic and a consultant throughout this pregnancy. I am also attempting a VBAC this time after a cord prolapse and late stage emergency c-section with DD1.

I was under the impression that these later midwife appointments would be important this time, not only to check my obs but also to check whether baby is breech or not (which affects VBAC prospects of success). I am also supposed to start having sweeps at 39 weeks this time and had wanted this to be booked in ready.

I just wondered whether anyone else has had communication issues with their midwife? Am I right to be concerned?

I'm thinking of calling the ante-natal team at the hospital tomorrow to see whether they could see me for a check up instead of my community midwife. I appreciate that this may vary from hospital to hospital but has anyone else been able to do this?

Sorry for the long and rambly post, panic always seems to creep in on a Sunday evening when there is nobody to speak to 😂

xx

I used to ring the Antenatal department at the hospital and they would either see me or contact the community midwives. I was high risk of pre term labour but was left floating several times when I had been told I needed to be seen outside of usual schedule of appointments.

Thank you, that's really good to know. I will try calling the hospital tomorrow then. I hope everything worked out well for you in the end xx

I'm sorry that's happened, if you don't get any joy with antenatal then I would simply contact your PALS service and explain as you have here, you're too close to your due date and being high risk as well I can't believe you aren't being seen by somebody as a priority. The missed appointment due to the self isolation is one thing but not to not then be able to get hold of anyone at all to book another is inexcusable.

Thank you! Had DD at 34 weeks last year but all good. Hope your last few weeks go OK. Just to add, I found that the two departments didn't seem to 'talk' to each other so my consultant would say I needed appointments at certain times in the community and I would leave thinking someone would be in touch but it became apparent that I would only get those appointments if I chased and organised them myself!

I'm in Scotland but due to a high risk pregnancy have to see a consultant too. I would ring the consultant if possible and explain about your midwife, here they will arrange for me to have the same checks that my midwife would do.

It is shoddy that you couldn't see anyone else whilst your midwife was isolating. Mine was on holiday for my 36 week appointment so I saw her at 35 and she made sure I had the number for the other midwife at our surgery. At the 36 week appointment we discussed my birth plan and checked if baby was head down. At 38 my sweeps will start if baby is engaged which can help with success of a vbac. By 36 weeks you should know if baby is head down so you can start doing spinning babies (if you would be interested) or inversions to encourage baby to move. All of this does impact on your chances of having a vbac.

This is so poor. How is this being allowed to happen? I don't get it.