Can I use any hospital for emergency checks?

[xxkellsbellsxx]

Hi all, we recently suffered a 34 week loss with out first child together, a little gorgeous boy. We have just found out we are lucky to be pregnant again, but because of our loss we have chose a specialised hospital that is around 50 minutes away, does anybody know if I can pop into any hospital for a quick check, for example- reduced movements etc?

Understandably I'm a nervous wreck and will no doubt visit the maternity ward with worry many many times because of what happened, so making 50-60 minute trip every time scares me. If I know I can pop in to any hospital or when I have concerns it would such a comfort.

If anyone has had to do this kind of thing any advice would be greatly appreciated

Thank you xxx

First of all sorry about your loss and I can completely understand your anxiety.

However most trusts would want you to be seen at the hospital you are booked for care at for reduced movements etc.

While another trust can theoretically see you, eg in the case of an emergency when away from home etc. as a regular occurrence they would be asking you to see your own trust.

It also would be difficult for you to coordinate care as sadly NHS trusts don’t work well together so let’s say you had reduced movements and an induction was recommend you might find the trust you want to deliver at declining the induction as they haven’t seen you with reduced movements etc.

As a midwife I see all too often communication issues between different trusts and errors that result from this so it really is in your best interests to have your care in one trust. If it’s just delivery you want the further away hospital for you could always be seen at your local trust and transfer your care later in pregnancy. If it’s antenatal care however I recommend you book with the further away hospital and accept you may need to to travel further sometimes.

Hi, I am so sorry for the loss of your baby. Gentle congratulations on the pregnancy.

I can't answer your exact question as have not had a need to go to a different hospital but I am currently nearing the end of my second pregnancy after a full term Stillbirth.

You are completely right in that the anxiety is significant however the thing that has helped me the most is very regular appointments with consistent people. Initially I saw the consultant who does scans fortnightly and from 28 weeks this has gone up to weekly. I also have community midwife appointments and regular communication from the bereavement midwife. It feels like a second full time job sometimes but for me having the regular contact has (so far) managed to reduce having to attend for monitoring due to panicking as I am having a chance to discuss how I'm feeling regularly and they change what they do appointment wise based on this. The personalised support and consistency has been so helpful.

Wishing you all the very best with your pregnancy. One day at a time