Any UK mammas to be??

Question

I've had about four midwife appointments and I've seen a different lady every time and only two scans I've only heard my baby's heartbeat 3 times. And I had my last appointment and don't have any midwife numbers as well as no tour of the labour ward just a 10 second discussion on what kind of birth I want and I'm at a complete loss my best friend had her baby in the same hospital and she had the midwifes number for when she thought she was going into labour and I'm just upset as to why I'm not getting the same treatment. I need help 😩😩

Answer

You should be hearing the heartbeat at every appointment now. 2 ultrasound scans is the norm for here in the U.K. I had to ask for the contact numbers as I wasn't given any either. I double checked I had the correct ones by going on the website of the hospital I am delivering at. I also booked my hospital tour via the website. Ask your midwife about the antenatal class on your next visit, she should give you a leaflet. This is my first baby too and I feel like I've had to constantly ask for information on things that they should of given to me anyway! I don't have the community Midwife's number, if anything happens I'll be calling the labour line for my hospital, they can tell you if you need to go in or not x

Answer

This is all so sad ! I am 36 weeks pregnant and experiencing the same ! Bad care ! This is my firts baby! So far if I wouldn't check online and read in the books and after that asked midwife nothing would of been done or explained to me ! Appointments are extra short , they want you out of their office as soon as possible ! I have seen 4 different midwives ! On my last appointment they give me little letter asking if I wouldn't mind a little chat over the phone or in person about my experience with maternity unit and care that was provided to me form last 9 months , I am planing to telling them exactly how I feel ! On the top  everything they incorrectly signed and send my blood tests, give me incorrect medications for GD , signed incorrect side of MAT 1B form (almost didn't get my maternity pay because of that )!they booked my for scan but they forgotten about it! (Waited 3 hours to be squized between other females) they didn't put me on extra iron - forgot to call me with the results ( I called them asking about results after 2 weeks of feeling crap) and they said oh yea you should be on iron ! Sorry about that ! All in all this feels like a massive JOKE! Good luck to all of you ladies xx

Answer

Me🙋 this is my 2nd but because it is there not really bothered about you even though I had really bad problems in my first and should be monitored more closely this time for my blood pressure and everything but nope there not bothered think it's disgusting these days I'm 34weeks now and have had 4 different midwifes not met the same one twice yet 😖😷 x

Answer

2 scans is normal and they don't usually start listening for the heartbeat until after 20 weeks, you won't actually have that many Midwife's apts unless there is something wrong, and it's not uncommon to see a different one each time although I agree it's not good! TBH I found nhs ante natal classes to be absolute rubbish, I'm so glad I attended Daisy birthing classes, which provided relaxation and education

Answer

Does one to one Midwife's operate in your area if so you can swop at any point in your pregnancy to them, it's a private service that free for anyone

Answer

I feel like our midwives are way too laid back! So many of my friends have had the same experience as you,me on the other hand I don't leave the room until I feel comfy with the information I have received and this is my third! I do have more scans due to my first born being small so I have a growth scan every four weeks, I do hear my babies heartbeat at every midwife appointment though and so should you, even though I have never seen the same midwife twice! I think it's so easy for them to just fly through things because there's so many of us pregnant -which they shouldn't do
Next time write a list, all the things you're worried about or would like to find out about and the first question should be about the contact numbers you need.. Don't let them fob you off this is YOUR pregnancy and you need to feel at ease it is their job to take you through this experience step by step not throw you in at the deep end.  Good luck x

Answer

Your midwife should have provided contact details on your notes for them, community midwife, maternity assessment and labour ward. Not all hospitals do tours, mine did a PowerPoint presentation with pictures of the rooms but still talked you through the facilities etc. 
How many weeks are you now?

Answer

That is definitely not right! Do you have a community based midwife or do you visit a hospital? You should have a number for your midwife or at least the midwife base. And if I was you I'd be calling the maternity suite directly and asking for a tour and what antenatal classes are available. Is this your first? 
2 scans in a 'normal' pregnancy is standard in the NHS but you should have more contact with your midwife than the few appointments you have had. I have only heard the heartbeat a handful of times too.

Any UK mammas to be??

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