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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

The state of the NHS....

12 replies

racquel86 · 19/09/2021 16:34

I'm 31weeks with my first baby, I'm a district nurse within the nhs also. I all too aware of how stretched nhs services are.... the service I work for does not have the resources to meet the needs of people needing care, nurses are burnt out and leaving or off sick because they are so run down, we have staff with covid and it's on the rise.
IM FREAKING OUT!!!
I don't want to go off sick because of people will suffer and if more nhs staff go off sick (which I don't blame them for) how the hell are we to keep the nhs going. And how am supposed to bring a child into the world?
Anyone else feeling this anxiety? Or can anyone give me some reassurance??

OP posts:
Booknooks · 19/09/2021 16:39

If you're poorly and you need time off then take it, especially during pregnancy you need to put yourself before work, easier said than done I know.

Personally I have to work by being a bit blinkered, I go into work and make sure I do the best I can, and try not to think too much outside of that. Pretty impossible when we have to liaise with and work with different departments and HCPs at points and are burnt out, but I just can't handle the anxiety otherwise, I would absolutely leave and never go back if I overthought it. It will need a seismic shift in order to be functioning in a decades time to any real extent, its such a political hot potato I doubt anyone will, but we can just do what we can; and if it gets too much then put our families before jobs and leave. Not great I know, but it's been brewing for years and years and nothing changes.

It can be normal to overall feel a bit anxious about things in the future, if you find it affecting your day to day life though please do reach out to your midwife.

GoWalkabout · 19/09/2021 16:40

Its a vulnerable time for you. The world's problems are going to keep happening but you need to try to focus on you and your family and what your family needs right now is you feeling ok. I am sure you do an amazing job at we but you are going to need to put down your load there for a while in a few weeks. The services are still there, you know how to navigate them and you and your family can advocate for you. Wishing you well with it all BrewCakeFlowers.

Mamamamasaurus · 19/09/2021 16:54

You got pregnant in the thick of a pandemic. You surely, working in the area you do, realised that things would / could still be tough?

cptartapp · 19/09/2021 17:02

I was a district nurse for many years, been out ten years now, but even then people were not given the care they were promised.
I would never for example, ever choose to die at home.

lljkk · 19/09/2021 17:04

It's not your problem to fix it all. Look after yourself & hope for the best.

Carrierpigeon · 19/09/2021 17:07

The problems will still be there when you return. Take time off sick if you need it. There is no sense in putting your health at risk.

Booknooks · 19/09/2021 17:35

@Mamamamasaurus

You got pregnant in the thick of a pandemic. You surely, working in the area you do, realised that things would / could still be tough?
To be fair a lot of the issues predate covid and will still be here once it's moved on.
Original poster
racquel86 · 19/09/2021 18:06

@Mamamamasaurus

You got pregnant in the thick of a pandemic. You surely, working in the area you do, realised that things would / could still be tough?
I did, it was a shock tho.... at the age of 35 and 3 years of trying I'd given up. When I found out although stretched I felt the NHS was plodding on best it could.... now I feel despair at the state of it and that's why I'm starting to really worry.

However, thank u all for your comments and general care, much appreciated.
I'm pretty good at work realising we can 'only do what we can do' and that we are not super human and I always emphasise to my staff that we MUST look after ourselves. I am currently non-clinical as per medical advice and pet of me feels helpless but I also realise that if I don't take care of my baby and myself I potentially will need a lot of care putting even more pressure on the nhs.
I'm certainly not twiddling my thumbs as non clinical, I support staff, I allocate work prioritising the most in need of our care, I give medical advice over the phone, I triage emergency call outs and new referrals - the disheartening thing is I've never had to say so much 'I'm sorry, I just dont have a nurse to send to you'.
I know I can't change the situation, so I guess I need to do the best I am able whilst ensuring I keep me and baby in the best possible health. Xxx

OP posts:
User5827372728 · 19/09/2021 18:08

Congratulations on you’re pregnancy.

I would put you and your baby first and not worry about anything else

Applesonthelawn · 19/09/2021 18:16

I became very "inward looking" as the birth date approached and I think this is normal - it's all anyone can cope with at such a vulnerable time. I think you only need to think about you and your baby, until such time as you have the bandwidth to be concerned about others. Congratulations on your pregnancy and best of luck.

Booknooks · 19/09/2021 18:22

The non clinical work is also really valuable though, it keeps things ticking over and services wouldn't run without it. Be kind to yourself Flowers

Original poster
racquel86 · 19/09/2021 20:23

@Booknooks

The non clinical work is also really valuable though, it keeps things ticking over and services wouldn't run without it. Be kind to yourself Flowers
Thank you for acknowledging this. I have worked a day overtime every week nearly for weeks now and that hasn't changed since I had to become non-clinical at 28weeks. There sure is a lot to be said for every nhs member of staff doing their bit xxx
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