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Pregnancy

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

Cramping and no support?

4 replies

Honeymint · 24/11/2021 22:09

So I’m 14 weeks and from the beginning everyone I’ve seen at the hospital or heard from on the phone has been very lovely. They’ve always assured me that if I have any pain, concerns or even just questions I should simply call the midwife and they’ll be happy to help or make extra appointments etc.

When I started getting cramping and weird pains about a week ago I avoided calling as I didn’t want to bother anyone over nothing.

But the other day the pains hadn’t gone and seemed to be getting worse so I rang the number from the midwife email.
It’s just an automated message saying to ring 111 if it’s not urgent or the hospital if it is.
So I rang the early pregnancy ward since they’d also said to ring with any questions, but they asked why I hadn’t phoned the midwife unit and then told me to see a gp. They seemed confused as to why I would have phoned there and I felt awful for wasting their time.

So I rang the special pregnancy number on my gp’s website. But it was disconnected.
I emailed the email I received the midwife units original email from and received an automated email saying that it isn’t checked and reiterating to ring 111 or a gp.

In the end I went to my gp who took a urine sample and told me I should be dealing with my midwife unit.

The pains are worse now, I don’t know what to do.
Before I tried to contact them I had this reassuring illusion that if I needed anything I could just call. Now I’m scared, there’s no way to contact anybody who can help.
I considered A&E but our local one is so busy they’ve had to erect tents outside as the queue now goes around the outside of the building.

Has anybody else found this?
Who did you contact with questions or if you had pains?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Honeymint · 24/11/2021 22:13

As a note: I could understand if I lived in a small village miles from anywhere but I live in a city in SE England.

OP posts:
1Strawberry · 24/11/2021 22:29

I would ring the early pregnancy unit and explain to them that you can’t get through to the midwife unit and you are worried. Don’t worry about bothering them. It is their job to deal with your concerns and you shouldn’t be left feeling worried or in pain.

1Strawberry · 24/11/2021 22:30

Hope you can get sorted soon!

Holskey · 24/11/2021 22:49

Try not to feel guilty or like you're doing anything wrong. You're just trying to access basic care during pregnancy! I think it's terrible EPU made you feel that way 💐

Call 111 and see what they advise. I've found them too cautious to fob me off in the past, so they should be able to point you in the direction of someone who will see you. When whoever that is asks why you're there in particular: "111 sent me".

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