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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

No midwife contact at 9+ weeks?

31 replies

MooseBreath · 30/03/2022 15:52

I found out I was pregnant with DC2 5 weeks ago (and worked out that I was just over 4 weeks pregnant). Called the local midwife team the next day and left a message. I had a call back the next day saying that the lead midwife would be back the next day and she would call to schedule my booking in appointment.

It's been 5 weeks and the lead midwife hasn't called me back! I have chased up twice leaving messages, but I'm starting to get a bit angry. My local hospital doesn't book anything and it's all through midwives, so if mine doesn't get her arse moving, surely I'll not be able to get a scan at the correct time or I will have to go to a further hospital (am already a 30 minute drive from my local). I also haven't had any bloods done and my DH's family had had an incidence of a rare condition that should be screened for.

Am I being unreasonable to think this is unacceptable? What can I do?

OP posts:

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Babyvenusplant · 30/03/2022 15:55

You've still got quite a bit of time to be booked in, I was contacted by midwives at 11 weeks and still had all my tests and first scan done before the cut off. Try not to worry

Fizzgigg · 30/03/2022 15:56

With my first I left a message and was told they'd be in touch. They were at 10 weeks with a midwife booking in appointment for 11 weeks and my scan booked, for 12 weeks.

In my area you book in via GP so they were the ones I left a message with but the GP said that they don't contact anyone before 10 weeks

RebeccaCloud9 · 30/03/2022 15:57

At this point, I would chase daily for your booking appointment.

RebeccaCloud9 · 30/03/2022 15:58

I had my booking appointment at 8 weeks and was given that appointment pretty soon after contacting them (at about 5 weeks).

Original poster

MooseBreath · 30/03/2022 16:02

It seems so odd to me that people aren't contacted before 10 weeks. Pregnant women are entitled to free prescriptions and hyperemesis often requires medication in the first trimester. So midwives just don't support the first trimester?!

OP posts:

Greedy7 · 30/03/2022 16:03

Hi, I contacted my doctors around 8 weeks pregnant as they won't do anything until then. The doctors referred me to the midwives. You should of really been seen by now as they try and get your bloods done before 10 weeks. I would get in contact with your doctor and they should be able to refer you. Hope this helps xx

MsSquiz · 30/03/2022 16:12

Most booking in appointments are around 10-11 weeks and your first scan will be 12-14 weeks. You could go for a private early scan, if you wished.

If you had hyperemesis then you can make an appointment with your gp or contact the community midwife to ask for advice.

Rrrob · 30/03/2022 16:14

I wasn’t contacted until 12 weeks. Scan booked for 13+5, and booking appt at 14+5. My hospital are really short staffed at the moment, maybe yours is the same?
Is there no way to self refer online so you’re on the system?

Greedy7 · 30/03/2022 16:15

If you have a look on the NHS website it does state:

Your first midwife appointment (also called the booking appointment) should happen before you're 10 weeks pregnant. This is because you'll be offered some tests that should be done before 10 weeks.

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant and have not seen a GP or midwife, contact a GP or midwife as soon as possible.

VampireMoney · 30/03/2022 16:19

Booking in is around 12 weeks, that's when I first saw a midwife and I know it was the same for friends and family. Prior to 12 weeks they don't really bother with you! It sounds bonkers doesn't it and I remember being quite upset with my first because I just wanted someone to reassure me all was well.

MajorCarolDanvers · 30/03/2022 16:22

Booking in is at 12 weeks.

In some areas you might get contacted between 8-12 weeks and that's really just to get the paperwork started.

Next appointment isn't until 20 weeks unless you are high risk.

wonderwoman26 · 30/03/2022 16:33

I feel like i have had similar issues right formt he start - and seeing as this is my first child i have no idea how any of it works and feel totally un-supported.

I had to chase everything at 9 weeks also, to be told that it was all on 'badgernotes' - but you cant log on until the midwife gives you a code, as seeing as i hadnt seen my widwife how the hell would i know?!

I had to chase for 2 weeks for my 16 week appointment, being constantly told i will recieve a call back the next day and never did.

I know am 15 weeks, are loosing weight and cannot get hold of a midwife to ask if this is safe or somethign i should worry about?!

Seeing as i live in the area where the huge SATH NHS scandal enquiry has been released you'd think they would be shit hot on it but nope.

HopingForRainbow2021 · 30/03/2022 16:41

I’m 12 weeks today and still no booking appointment and no word from a midwife. I self referred, which is what you have to do in my area, at 6 weeks. I’ve called to chase and got nowhere. Seems this is the way things are now.

Greedy7 · 30/03/2022 16:48

If you haven't heard from a midwife by 12 weeks, you need to be ringing your GP as they can refer you and this will get done quicker.
This is not the way things are now.
I had my booking appointment at 8 weeks and my bloods done before 10 weeks.
I had a very bad bleed last week and they rushed me in the same day for an emergency scan.

I have my scan on Friday at 12 weeks and another appointment at 16 weeks.
I have a very good friend who is a midwife (she doesn't live near me and hasn't help me get an appointment) she told me as they are very short staffed you really have to push for what you want/need xx

VampireMoney · 30/03/2022 16:52

GP in our health centre doesn't deal with pregnancy, it's all via midwife so absolutely no point calling the GP of you have one like ours.

Original poster

MooseBreath · 30/03/2022 18:04

So we're just accepting this lack of care then?

I get that midwives are short-staffed, but then this is something that I will be bringing to my (beyond useless) MP.

OP posts:

mummyh2016 · 30/03/2022 20:15

Contact PALS at the hospital you want to give birth at.
In regards to the free prescriptions if you need a prescription before you get your exemption you would pay then claim the money back.

Qwill · 30/03/2022 20:30

What kind of care are you looking for? There’s not much to do really apart from scans and bloods later on.

GinnyBee · 30/03/2022 20:31

@MooseBreath

So we're just accepting this lack of care then?

I get that midwives are short-staffed, but then this is something that I will be bringing to my (beyond useless) MP.

Yeah it's frustrating, isn't it.

My booking appointment was at 10+4 I think, but I did get a call from my midwife around 8 weeks to get it booked in and send in the referral for my dating scan, so that I would have that on time. But it is annoying that the NHS website says one thing, but in reality it seems that not a single pregnant woman in the past at least two years has had their appointments in those time frames.

Original poster

MooseBreath · 30/03/2022 22:24

@Qwill The NHS website states that first bloods should be done before 10 weeks. I also have lots of questions about health concerns that should be discussed in the first trimester.

OP posts:

myyellowcar · 30/03/2022 22:27

Absolutely rubbish isn’t it.

Contact PALS and ask for their help. Don’t wait and assume an appointment will come, you might be waiting a very long time.

mummyh2016 · 31/03/2022 08:12

[quote MooseBreath]@Qwill The NHS website states that first bloods should be done before 10 weeks. I also have lots of questions about health concerns that should be discussed in the first trimester.[/quote]
There isn't a requirement for the bloods to be done before 10 weeks it's just that ideally they would. We don't live in an ideal world unfortunately. If you look at what the booking bloods are tested for the only thing that would make a difference at the moment would be your blood count and that would only be iron tablets.
The midwives have up to 14 weeks to do your booking (as it is sometimes done at the same time as your 12 week scan). If the midwifery team are short staffed then those further along will be taking priority. It is frustrating and upsetting especially when it's your first. When you're further on you'll be happy when your appointments aren't getting cancelled to accommodate booking appointments which have more flexibility though.

mummyh2016 · 31/03/2022 08:17

Ignore the bit about it being your first baby I missed where you'd said about DC2!
At my 16 week appointment my midwife was having to run 3 clinics on her own due to staff shortages. She chose to see 3 times as many people than she should rather than cancel 2 of the clinics. She would've finished hours later than she should've. I can't say I'd have done the same in her shoes. If she had cancelled appointments you can bet it would've been ones like mine and booking appointments that would've been cancelled.

Iwouldlikesomecake · 02/04/2022 21:16

You’re supposed to get your booking bloods done by 10 weeks because it is a national target. It doesn’t mean that harm will befall you if they’re not done by then but it is a target for screening.

Having said that, pp are correct that every maternity service I know is stretched to the limit right now and this isn’t the midwives fault. But you do deserve care. The midwives you see will work for a hospital trust and not for the GP themselves, if you can’t get hold of the actual midwife or hospital maternity department contact PALS at the trust they work for.

CoconutQueen · 02/04/2022 21:37

Sorry but YABU to be calling to book with a midwife at 4 weeks. I'm not surprised they haven't got back to you yet - they don't need to yet!

No you are not "lacking care"; unless you are in severe pain or bleeding, at this stage in your pregnancy you do not need "care".

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