Named midwife

[JustwantacupfT]

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and just been on my badger notes app and I'm really disappointed to see my named midwife has been changed without me being told. Perhaps this is normal but it came as a bit of a shock?!

I had an appointment on Thursday and was a little surprised to see it was someone different but not overly since I have seen a couple different people since the start but always found them reassuring and ok . It turns out it is the one I saw on Thursday will be my new named one. She didn't exactly fill me with confidence, it seemed like she had a massive case load of patients and was just rushing me through on a conveyer belt. I do understand they have to be efficient but it felt like the speed at which she talked and was doing things she could easily make mistakes or miss things. She qualified last year so I imagine is still finding her feet. She also seemed pretty hard as nails if I'm honest? Just at the time when I'm starting to feel vulnerable and gearing up for birth, isn't ideal! My usual midwife is efficient but I normally come away feeling reassured and like I'm in 'safe hands' if that makes sense?!

She was unawate about a few things regarding my care and I'm still waiting to hear from her about my next appointment as she apparently is so booked up so was going to get back to me... normally they set this on the day I see them or soon after.

Am I being unrealistic in my expectations? I know they are v busy but the communication just seemed off to me, not to mention she would be overseeing from now on?

It sounds like a crazy time for them to be honest.

I've never had continuity of care before this pregnancy and was surprised that I had a named midwife. When she was unexpectedly off last week, it really threw me, so I do get it. On the other hand, you've no idea who you'll get on the day and with any luck, won't have time to get to know them.

It's also a good time to start taking responsibility for your own care. If there are key elements, mention them at the beginning of each appointment to get the midwife up to speed. Make her job easier. It doesn't sound like any of this is ideal, I'm sorry, but it's not disastrous.

It’s really rare to have a named midwife all the way through to be honest, and the midwife won’t be with you at birthday anyway if that helps. This isn’t the fault of the new midwife, it’s the state of the NHS unfortunately. Make a list of questions and don’t be afraid to slow the midwife down.

All sounds pretty normal, sadly. Please don't worry though, you'll be under the care of a different team when you actually get to the hospital, and IME, they are more experienced and better placed to answer questions (appreciate there is some stuff you will need to know in advance though).

Thanks for the reassurances everyone. Feel better knowing that this is not unusual practice and I am luckier than many to have had good continuity up til now. I'm ready to self advocate and speak up if I need to! I was just a bit thrown when I saw it!