Is anyone else having same issue?

[abbs1]

Ive been trying for 3 days now, Thursday, Friday and this morning to speak to someone about a pregnancy issue. I contacted my midwife team, no phone number for them only email, EPU, no answer after holding for over 30mins waiting both days calling at different times but no answer saying everyone is on other calls, tried Maternity Helpline, closed as well when they say they're open. Even labour ward couldn't help me.
My midwife team emailed back Saturday night and I need to call EPU. I've been holding since they opened at 9am (30mins) still no one picking up the phone.
No idea how much longer I should hold or organise some childcare and just go in. Seems its all appointment only no walk ins but no idea how to get the issue sorted when I can't speak to anyone.
Are other people finding issues in contacting Maternity services at the moment?

I think most people will be - they’re really understaffed, and busy.

What type of issue is it? Here they’ve got quite strict about who does what. Maternal health is midwife or GP, although it takes about two weeks for the midwife to get back to you. Reduced movements depends on how far along you are. Severe bleeding is EPU or AAU, or if neither can be contacted, A&E. Labour ward will take urgent calls but I don’t know what they’d class as urgent, and I don’t believe they’re seeing anyone not in active labour, as a Covid precaution. There’s also no walk-ins without prior permission, but you can go to A&E and they’ll see you from there… but obviously I don’t know if your hospital is the same.

Is it something your GP could help with? Its rubbish & I’m sorry. My hospital has been marked really highly on keeping pregnant women & their babies safe, including during Covid, but it’s made getting advice pretty challenging!

@takeyourfinalposition I held for an hour and no answer. I tried maternity helpline no answer so I called labour ward again and they said to email midwife team to put my issue to obstetrician on my behalf to get an answer before my appointment with the obstetrician in 4 weeks.

I'm meant to be taking medication to prevent pre eclampsia that I had in my last pregnancy but its making me feel really poorly so I've had to stop taking it. I'm nearly 15 weeks.
The GP won't help as they said midwife or obstetrician have to decide what to do. Midwife is saying the obstetricians set the medication and dosage they just tell women take it if they fit the criteria.
Its not a life or death emergency so its not an A and E trip or anything.

Just so frustrating when you can't speak to anyone about what I should do.

Preeclampsia can be a serious condition so I would persist in getting hold of someone ASAP. I have been lucky. Our pregnancy assessment unit don’t seem to have been compromised and have even absolutley brilliant at all hours.
Hope you are able to get hold of someone ASAp.
Have you tried your gps as a last resort?

@almostcooked2021 Ive tried every unit and the ones that answered the phone all said I need to talk to an obstetrician but my appointment with them isnt until 12th Oct. My GP said they cant help as they cant see my hospital notes and its not up to him to decide what should be done.
I know theres covid etc, but I want to prevent the risk of getting pre eclampsia again as it was a very scary experience so I need to speak to someone asap as this medication is meant to be taken from 12 weeks but wasnt given to be until after mt 12 week scan when they found I was measuring 13 weeks.
I'm hoping my midwife replies to my email soon.

Do you know the name of the consultant who prescribed you the medication OP? If so, I'd be ringing their hospital switchboard and asking to be put through to their secretary. You could then leave a message about your issue for the secretary to take to the consultant and get back to you.

@Bambionice80 The midwife prescribed it as I tick the criteria and then she booked my obstetrician appointment but that is done for when your 16-20 weeks. I dont have my first consultant appointment until my 20 week scan and my obstetrician one when im 18 weeks. Even my 16 week midwife appointment isnt until im 18 weeks and when I queried that they said its anytime from 16-20 weeks.

Its frustrating have no proper point of contact and every number I'm being given to call either doesnt work or a completely different department answer the phone. I wish my midwife team had a direct number as I could call them and get it sorted so much quicker than their email which is replied to by whoever is on shift.

Feel like im just going round and round in circles.

Try contacting PALS they should help!

I finally managed to get through to EPU after being transferred via a few departments and someone answered but they said its not the right place as they only deal with miscarriages.

One of my midwife team called and said they spoke to the obstetrician but they all said I have to call they can't give info to pass on to me. They said I needed to call and get it referred but through EPU and she said I tried but didnt get anywhere so shes seeing if they can pull my obstetrician appointment forward so I can speak to someone. Absolute nightmare so will see what happens next.