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

Really not happy with antenatal care

2 replies

TheBeesKnee · 14/03/2023 11:08

I don't know if my expectations are just too high being a first time mum but with the deadline looming I'm really starting to get anxious because I don't think I trust my local hospital. 32 weeks with DC1.

I've felt a bit off about the place ever since I was booked in: the signs were all over the place and unhelpful, the reception wasn't manned and I was seen late. The vibe was just off. I'm sorry that's so vague I just had this feeling that I didn't like it and wanted to get out.

Since then a few other things have happened:

  • I was kept waiting an hour for an appointment because they "didn't read the notes"/realise that I was there for a 121 diabetes clinic.
  • linked to this, my notes say that I was fully advised of the risks of having a big baby etc etc at this appointment. I was not, and I feel Very uncomfortable that they're basically lying on official charts.
  • I have a disability, and again, there was an appointment where the midwives didn't read my notes/realise and tried to get me to do something physically impossible for me to do because of my disability. They were then annoyed that I didn't tell them I had a disability even though it was on my notes.
  • I was supposed to have an appointment yesterday which has been cancelled and no one told me, there was nothing on the app etc. I turned up and had to go home again.
  • when I said I wanted an epidural they were a bit dismissive and basically said "let's see how it goes"

All these things are adding up to make me feel like I don't trust them, I suppose the overarching theme is that they're coming across as sloppy with poor attention to detail. It isn't one midwife, it seems to be systemic.

I don't know what to do from here or what my options are.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Blue2020 · 14/03/2023 11:34

Do you have any other trusts nearby? I think you’re allowed to change if that’s what you want? You could call another hospital/trust and ask if you can change to them (providing you can then get to appointments for that trust and the hospital isn’t too far away for when you go into labour).

If it’s the only trust close to you then I suppose you might need to be proactive and be asking all the questions. Make a list before appointments. What is the hospital like? Because usually the community midwives and the hospital midwives don’t overlap too much.

Do you have a midwife that is good and on the ball? If so you could request an appointment with them? It might mean very select appointments, but consistency could help.

breakfastbagel · 14/03/2023 11:39

You are able to choose your hospital and you can switch at any time. Only thing to consider is traveling too far if you are planning to give birth in hospital.

Could you consider a doula to advocate for you and also provide you with some continuity of care?

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