Would you be happy to see midwife only 4 times with 2nd baby?

[mumfor1standmaybe2ndtime]

I am 8 wks pg with number 2, following em c section with ds.
I saw midwife for 1st appt last fri and now waiting for scan date. I asked her when I would next see her and she said when I was 17 wks pg. I would then have a 20wkish scan and then see her around 28wks to discuss birth options. Then probably one more time if I decide to have an elective c section. Is this weird?

I was told 'with your 2nd, you just have to go away and grow the baby!'

No. They check for illnesses that can be life threatening for both mother and baby. That's why you see them. It is weird.

Does seem lazy doesn't it?

personally I wouldn't find it weird. but then I had 2 very straightfoward pregnancies. I didn't feel the need to see a MW more often, and so it panned out ok.

bear in mind that even though you won't be booked in for appts there is nothing to stop you making one if you are worried or want to talk to her.

p.s just read more recent replies.
I had a homebirth and still didn't see mine very much at all

I didn't get many with my subsequents but it was more than 4!!! You need your urine and bp checked regularly otherwise dangerous things like pre-ecclampsia could be missed. I'd complain!

Lol! Did think about saying I wanted home birth. I think I am leaning torwards a c section following a traumatic birth with ds. My pregnancy with ds was fine but he was undiagnosed breech, just want things to be ok in last trimester I guess.
I guess I can make appt myself.

You need to see her at last fortnightly towards the end, although if you are having a c-section you will presumably see a consultant and therefore get checked at the hospital clinic? I don't think it makes any difference if it's the first, second or thirty-fourth baby, you could still have a problem with it...

...I would make sure you get more appointments when you get closer to your due date.

I had high blood pressure when going into labour with ds, told her this but she really didn't seem bothered about my last delivery tbh.

She said if I wanted c section I would go to see someone at hospital at 36 weeks. But to see her at 28 weeksish and then go to 36 weeks seems weird to me!

No, I wouldn't be happy at all. But clara might be right about being seen by a consultant.

If I remember well you it's once a month until 32 weeks and then every week from 36??

If you're having an elective c-section you are likely to have some of your regular appointments with a doctor rather than the midwife. So she may well just have meant that you wouldn't see her more often, not that you wouldn't see anyone.

You'd probably normally have a 28 week, 32 week, 36 week and 38 week appointment in a second pregnancy if all is going well. So quite possible that two would be with a doctor and two with a midwife. If anything isn't straightforward they'll move you onto a more frequent appointment schedule.

Maybe I will ask her when I go again then. Maybe I wasn't listening properly!

It all depends on the local policy.

I saw a M/W at 8, 16, 28, 37 and will do at 39 weeks. had scans at 12 and 20 and 34 weeks (for low lying placenta).

3rd baby, trouble free preg but not good labours.

so 4 visits isn't that unusual, except I expect you will have more at the end.

Maternity and health visiting care seems to be going away from routine visiting to trouble shooting (ie, come if you have a problem). probably money led. call me a cynic!! Cass.

I'm 30 weeks and have only seen my midwife twice so far. My last appointment was at 26 weeks and my urine sample showed up a possible UTI but she still said she'd see me at 34 weeks because it was probably nothing to worry about (even though I had a kidney infection without symptoms with my first pregnancy).

I've given up on getting any level of care from the midwives and went to the Doctor at 28 weeks. The lovely doctor tested my urine and found a kidney infection, and has also referred me to Physio for my SPD which I've been calling the midwife regularly about and getting nowhere.

It really does feel like the level of care this time around is loads worse than last time.

Not acceptable.

I think she's going off NICE guidelines, however they are just guidelines and not set in stone. I would expect you to have more appointments due to the prev CS, as you'll be classed as higher risk (at my hosp anyway!).

cut backs cut backs,

When you see consultants you will usually have a mw appt as well but they don't tell you in advance. But I do agree it's blardy stupid. I now have one more appt - I'm 34 weeks pregnant - all the midwives are booked up till two weeks after I'm due.

I've been told 'come to the midwife assessment unit if you are worried' but frankly, it's a tad daft to expect a mum to be to know when something worrying is going on - I don't do urine dips or blood tests routinely.

I have only seen my midwife once and I am 30 weeks now I just can't get hold of anyone and she hasn't bothered ringing back

Its really pissing me off now

Bogie - send a note FAO the supervisor of midwives expressing your concern. You'll be surprised how quickly your appts turn up. I had the same problem -for about a week I was calling and just getting an answerphone - it turned out their phones were broken and they had no idea .

Am amazed at how little midwifes see people!
I blame money and cut backs.
My 4 appts seem lots compared to some. I didn't have very good antenatal care with ds at all either and saw a different midwife at each appt, I think this is the reason for him being an undiagnosed breech and partly to blame for my c section. I know breech babies can't always be recognised or can turn at late stage, but I was told at 36 wks that I was engaged and then didn't see anyone else until labour day. Even though one midwife said I would need a late scan as he looked 'a big baby', he was 9lb 12. When chasing up the scan, I was told I wouldn't have a big baby as my belly size was 'normal!'

I just feel that I will have to go with the flow, like many others, and just make more appts towards the end.
bogie - am shocked at 30 weeks you have been seen once

jennieflower - agree with you. I would also just go and see my doctor if I was worried.