Does this sound like a standard antenatal appointment?

[Fagin99]

I'm 11 weeks with my first baby and had my booking-in appointment over the phone this week. I then had bloods, urine and BP done today at an out-clinic. What surprised me was that at neither appointment was I asked how I was feeling - I had no opportunity to talk about morning sickness, insomnia or other problems that might be worrying me. It was just: ask the standard questions, do the standard tests, and then out the door.

Maybe I'm being silly to expect more, I know the NHS is severely stretched at the moment, but I'd be curious to know if this sounded standard based on other experiences? Did you get the opportunity to talk about your wellbeing?

What didn't help is that the midwife was an hour late with virtually no apology (I almost went home as I assumed she wasn't turning up and there was no one to telephone or ask - I was literally standing outside an empty building for an hour). I then told her I was nervous about the bloods, yet still she thought it necessary to talk about the bulbous appearance of my veins etc...

As this is my first I have no comparison, so would be helpful to hear about others' experiences of NHS care, especially during covid. Thanks in advance!

I didn’t really notice any difference with my Covid pregnancy than previously, other than not being allowed a partner into appointments but I imagine this probably varies by trust. Seems fairly standard, other than I have always been asked about how I am feeling emotionally, I thought this was a standard question in the booking appointment along with questions about any previous mental health problems. It always feels like a bit of a tick box exercise though rather than a discussion point. I’ve never been asked about symptoms etc eg morning sickness but always been given an opportunity to ask any further questions at the end, even if this is as you are being ushered out the door, so you feel like it would be a bit of an inconvenience if you did! The midwife doesn’t sound like she has much of a way with people but other than that I’d say it’s pretty standard antenatal care in the UK!

Sort of. There's been a UK wide baby boom and they're knackered. It's no excuse but I think that's what it is. Like every profession you get good and bad professionals. Don't be scared to request a different midwife if you are assigned one and get bad or strange vibes Xx

I can only say from my personal experience. My community midwife team (never got to see the same person) would rush to get me out the door after filling out minimum paperwork and were never contactable. If I tried telling them about issues I was experiencing it was just brushed off and dismissed.

I thought this was just the way it was as this is my first pregnancy and I didn't want to make a fuss. My mental and physical health suffered immensely because of this. I only changed to a different midwife team 3 weeks ago and am 34 weeks pregnant now. The difference has been incredible and I'm finally getting appropriate care.

If I could go back in time, I would've changed to a different CM team at the beginning to avoid all this mess. My advice would be if something doesn't feel right, contact the person leading the CM teams in your area and ask for a change. If your current midwife is overworked fair enough, but you need to be able to see someone who has time for you. x

Sounds the same as my experience. I had to butt in at the end to ask about some symptoms I was experiencing and she actually kept looking at her watch. They're also uncontactable unless its something serious, then they pick up halfway through your voicemail.

Stretched, overworked, underpaid I guess. It is a sorry state of affairs though.

Sounds standard to me. Didn't get a chance to talk to anyone til 16 weeks and even then it was over video. I'm now 20 weeks and bar a very quick sonograph and blood test (I thjnk less than 5 minutes in total between the two appts) I've yet to see anyone in person...

Definitely not normal based on my experience! My midwives were very caring. Maybe I was very lucky!

I think it depends on the midwife. I’ve had appointments with some who weren’t great so when I became pregnant again I got in touch with the midwife who I had towards the end of my last pregnancy. She doesn’t work in the community anyone so referred me to another midwife she thought would be better for me ( I told her I’d prefer not to see a certain one again). My current midwife is lovely and makes a point of asking how I am, and particularly about my mental health which I think they are supposed to.

If you’re not comfortable with asking to change midwife, maybe ask for a different day. In my experience, they only do antenatal appointments on certain days so by switching day you could get another.

Standard in my experience, including the extensive waiting for appointments running late. The midwives were nice but there wasn’t much chat. You can always raise things with them if you want to, even if they haven’t asked.

I always start with ‘Do you have any concerns or questions?’ And then ask ‘how are you feeling emotionally?’ As part of my checks. That’s pretty standard.

I’m sorry you feel like they haven’t given you the opportunity to talk about your worries. I’m sure it’s general business and stress (if your area is anything like ours, things have been fairly dire recently) and not a lack of caring. Please do give them a call or an email if you have questions and I’m sure someone will be happy to help.

I’m 26 weeks, have had three midwife appointments, and all of them have basically been a urine test… I’ve had no opportunity yet to ask questions or be given information, really.

I wouldn’t expect too much.

It doesn't sound that unusual to me, sadly. Services are hugely stretched at the moment. At my most recent appointment, the waiting room was so full I ended up sitting on the floor for about 20 minutes before a chair became available for the rest of the waiting time... Most people have been nice, it's just that the services are stretched almost to breaking point.

It doesn't sound unusual to me, my midwife never replies to anything, I've met her once at my 16 week appointment and all she did was check my urine and send me on my way. Luckily I'm consultant led and they listened in my appointment but aren't contactable outside of that, my GP has been fabulous though, I've got HG and theyve been so supportive with everything. Just not been happy with midwife support.