Should I complain?

[Sophrosyne1]

I really hate it when people unfairly criticise their medical care. Midwives, doctors and nurses do a difficult job and I appreciate that they are only human and human beings make mistakes however, something happened yesterday which frightened the life out of me and I am unsure if I would be warranted in having a bit of a moan next time I see my midwife.

I am 38 weeks pregnant and when I arrived for my check-up yesterday there was a different midwife taking the appointments until the usual one turned up. She was very nice to me but when she felt my bump started to look a bit worried, she poked me about a bit and took a while to find the heart beat (at which point I was feeling very frightened but was trying to remain calm). The midwife then said that she was concerned that the baby was in breech despite the fact that in my 3 previous appointments (all with different midwives) the baby had been recorded as head down. She also said that my fundal height was the same as the last appointment so was concerned about 'static growth'. She rang the hospital to book me in for a scan.

At this point the usual midwife turned up, I was in tears because I was feeling very worried. I wondered if it was just the fact that it was a midwife who hadn't seen me before that had lead to the anomaly between my previous notes and what was being recorded now but the original midwife didn't offer to check and, while I feel I should have asked, I just felt too worried and upset.

I left for the hospital where the scan showed that the baby was head down and a perfect size for the dates. The midwife at the hospital said she was slightly concerned that the fundal height measurements on my notes were "all over the place".

I understand that in pregnancy it is better to be safe than sorry but I had an extremely difficult early pregnancy with lots of episodes of bleeding, late night trips to the hospital and emergency scans. The last few weeks have been plain sailing in comparison so yesterday was extremely stressful (in fact, once I got home all I felt like doing was sleeping, I felt so emotionally drained). I wonder if it is unfair for me to feel a little put out at the community midwives for worrying me unnecessarily especially as it does look like some mistakes were made.

I don't think I will complain, but what do you guys think?

I think you are right to be annoyed at them but I think you should be reassured that the scan was fine.
I was in the same sort of position a few weeks back when different midwives measured me in different ways leading to all sorts of concern about too much growth one visit and then not enough growth the next.I wasn't sent for a scan just left to worry and although I seem to be ok for dates now ( at 35 weeks I am measuring 37cm)I don't really trust their measurements. There is even a measurement in my notes from earlier on when I know they didn't even get the tape measure out.

I think you should be relieved that the hospital visit, scary and unnecessary as it was, showed that everything was perfect.

I never said anything to the midwives as I kept seeing different ones on visits and didn't like to seem that I was complaining behind their backs and then get labelled as difficult but, I sort of wish I had been brave enough to say something. You've only got a couple of weeks to go so if you feel like a good moan at them when you go in next just do it.

Some of the midwives don't seem to realise than even one quizzical look can turn pregnant women into gibbering wrecks.

Good luck with the next couple of weeks.

sophrosyne1 in my last pg I had 2 different MW say DS was head down but in fact he wasn't he was a footling breech. I realize this different MW got you upset but it is better for her to voice a different opinion and get you checked out than to go into labor with an un-recognized breech. Maybe she could have been a bit more reassuring but IMO better that they checked it out. I have come to the conclusion that baby positioning is not an exact science. Needless to say this time I am insisting on a scan at 38 weeks regardless of which way up anyone says this LO is

Personally I think you were lucky to have a midwife that cared enough to get things checked out! Six years ago when I was going through my first pregnancy, I had the opposite - an obstetrician who actually tutted and rolled her eyes when I raised a concern about growth, and promptly turned her back and walked away. A week later my baby was dead at 32 weeks. I've spent the last six years wishing I'd grabbed that woman by the shoulders and made her listen to what I was saying.

Fundal height is a very very inaccurate way of measuring growth - frankly growth scans aren't that accurate even, which is why people are often told they are expecting an enormous baby and end up having one of normal size. Mine was recently measured at 26 weeks then 29 weeks 10 minutes later. The baby in that 10 minutes went from transverse to breech.

You have every right to complain should you wish to do so, I'm just not really sure what it is you want them to have done in the first place. Reassurance is easily given, but often meaningless words. Try and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.

Greenlawn I am so sorry that you lost your baby after you raised your concerns. It is hard to be assertive at times.

I never had any of this and in hindsight would be glad of it.

With my first pg I had the appointment when I told my gp I was pregnant, one sometime later where I heard the heartbeat and my 20 week scan. That was it. I had no idea until my second pg that I should have been seen on a regular basis! I had no other appointments whatsoever.

Thank you lou, it does mean that I am now positively evangelical about telling people NOT to be fobbed off with "I'm sure it will be fine". No decent experienced midwife would ever belittle someone's concerns or feelings (and in fairness, despite my experience, most of them are really very very good at this part of the job).

Sophrosyne1

I dont know why you would feel you need to complain! The m/w did the correct thing by referring you to the hosp because she was not sure of the position.

At 38 weeks, your baby may have 'dropped' a bit (or become a bit more engaged) which means the fundal height can go down - but better to be safe and have a scan.

Personally I never use a tape measure as I think they are a complete waste of time, but it is probably her hospital policy.

Yes she may have been a bit tactless etc but would you rather she breezed through the check smiling but not actually dealing with something she felt unsure of?

totally agree with mintpurple, I don't think you have anything to complain about.

i think i owuld have been worried but pleased that someone cared enough to get it checked out and just be relieved after more than anything else that all was ok

as some people know there job but it takes another person to spot something missed

im glad all was ok and i would be relieved that she had done her job properly and took correct procedures were always hearing stories where they havent done this so its nice to hear that someone has

sorry it upset you though

Hi Sophrosyne1, just want to put in my tuppence worth. I'm so glad everything turned out alright for you - I know the MW worried you unnecessarily but you got it all resolved on the same day. I recently had an entire 3 weeks of stress & worry: my GP was 'very concerned' about the fundal height (not taking into account my naturally long torso & my slight frame) & said he'd refer me right away.

A WEEK later I'd not heard a thing and rang him to check - he said he'd fax over a letter(?!) that afternoon. Nothing for another week. MW visited for antenatal check and said she'd had enough of "his fiddle-faddle". Wasn't her fault but I still had to wait yet another week for the consultant appointment.

Turns out all was fine but i will never trust this 'fundal height' fad again. I'm still annoyed that after sailing through the rest of my pregnancy (v.lucky I know) I had those weeks of totally unnecessary stress and freaking-out. So......although it emotionally drained you (& I know how hard it is) at least you knew all was ok within the day. Good luck! x