I know I can be a bit difficult but I challenge ANY of you to see the sense in this...

[StarshitTerrorise]

I'm 36 week pg and have STILL not been referred to local maternity services despite handing in forms to GP some time ago.

When I chased the reason given was that although I had put my height on the form, I had not put my weight and waist measurement.

I explained I was heavily pregnant but they insisted I come in regardless to have weight and waist measured, - which I did yesterday, so now I have to wait 48 hours for processing.

....and they wonder why the NHS is so expensive and ineffective.

I was attending a local hospital for my check ups during pregnancy but made it clear that I did not want to have the baby there as it was a midwive lead hospital and any complications they ship you off in an ambulance. At 38 weeks pregnant they told me that I had not been booked into the hospital hospital said they were fully booked up got my appointment just in the nick of time. Not a pleasant experience thank goodness I won't be doing all this again

Star, just ring the hospital yourself and ask to speak to the head of midwifery about making a self referral. Failing that, pitch up there complaining of whatever pregnancy related symptoms you currently suffer from, and mention that you're a potentially high risk person with no current antenatal care.

Of course, you could call the safeguarding midwife and tell them you're unbooked at 36 weeks and the old county had been so worried about your sanity they wanted your DS to be subject to child protection proceedings

Thanks Maria.

I researched and found the consultant midwife's email address and sent her an email, so there is at least documentary evidence of my existence. I told her i was planning a homebirth and asked her what I should do in the event I went into labour unbooked with my psychological barrier to hospital attendance.

I gave my new GPs name and a brief history of my pg so far with list of attended appointments (I have missed none) as well as my contact details.

Hopefully that will get things moving.

I presume you've already seen this

Yes thanks. I got nowhere phoning directly though. They kept saying needed a GP referral at this stage.

Having said that I'm not sure how high up I got. Think I've got high enough now though.

I've got a nasty feeling you may be told Tues it is too late to plan a homebirth and pushed onto the hospital route star. I hope I'm incorrect about this, but be prepared to have to dig your heels right in.

It's okay Boch. Before SEN rights became my obsession it was childbirth rights.

There is no such thing as too late for a homebirth.