Hi,
Hope you don't mind me starting this thread - didn't want to bother / take over the JUST HERE girls...
Anyway, just would like to find out how the whole system with midwives and doctors, etc is supposed to work.
I'm 13.5 wks now, had a first antenatal clinic with midwife, 12-week scan and am booked in for 20-week scan.
What is supposed to happen in the meantime? Am I supposed to see the midwife? Or the doctor?
I would really like to know THE BIRTH PLAN kind of thing. How does the system work?
Slight complication is that I have absolutely no confidence in the midwives at my hospital (Queen Charlotte's&Chelsea, which is supposed to have an excellent reputation), because two of them have just been appauling, being rude, giving wrong advice etc (see JUST HERE thread). There are some others there, but I have no idea whether I would see them or whether I'm stuck with the one I say previously?
So I'd just like to find out what the procedure is normally ie on the NHS and then maybe we can go private for some other bits...???
Any advice greatly appreciated!
Cheers,
bina
How does it all work?
How does it all work?
ttc 2.5 yrs
endometriosis treated May 2003
IVF Apr 2004 +ve: Lucy was born 27.12.04
2nd IVF Jan06 +ve; EDD 30th October 2006 - feeling sooo lucky and praying for a healthy delivery!!!
me 36 yrs; DH 46 yrs
endometriosis treated May 2003
IVF Apr 2004 +ve: Lucy was born 27.12.04
2nd IVF Jan06 +ve; EDD 30th October 2006 - feeling sooo lucky and praying for a healthy delivery!!!
me 36 yrs; DH 46 yrs
hihi bina, cant believe u are 13.5 wks its just amazing suddenly how
quickly time moves on, like u i realy didnt know what to expect
re midwife care, i went for my first book in appointment at about 12
wks and then was told my next appointment was not till after my
20 wk scan, i felt a bit lost, to me its such a big thing, but i suppose
to them u are just another pregnant lady, i think it is slightly different
if u are having twins, but just remember if u have any worries u just
have to pick up the phone, and if they are not that helpful then book
an appointment with your GP.
Keep well alisonn
quickly time moves on, like u i realy didnt know what to expect
re midwife care, i went for my first book in appointment at about 12
wks and then was told my next appointment was not till after my
20 wk scan, i felt a bit lost, to me its such a big thing, but i suppose
to them u are just another pregnant lady, i think it is slightly different
if u are having twins, but just remember if u have any worries u just
have to pick up the phone, and if they are not that helpful then book
an appointment with your GP.
Keep well alisonn
Hi Bina
Although I had twins, the number of appointments that I had were the same as a single pregnancy round here. I saw a health professional every 4 weeks from 12 weeks, then every 2 weeks from 28 weeks. Supposedly the care system here is that on one visit you see your midwife at your GP's surgery and the next visit you see your consultant at the hospital but I never ever met my consultant even with a twin pregnancy - I saw a registrar each time.
Just to show how different things are though, we don't have 12 week scans round here so if I hadn't had a private Nuchal scan, my first scan would have been my 20 week scan (which actually happened at 23 weeks).
I didn't have a birth plan because I've heard that it's quite difficult to persuade the hospital to keep to them.
I read about your midwife's comments and was too shocked to respond but it really sounds as if you need to look into other options for care. Have you looked at other hospitals?
Take care.
Jules
Although I had twins, the number of appointments that I had were the same as a single pregnancy round here. I saw a health professional every 4 weeks from 12 weeks, then every 2 weeks from 28 weeks. Supposedly the care system here is that on one visit you see your midwife at your GP's surgery and the next visit you see your consultant at the hospital but I never ever met my consultant even with a twin pregnancy - I saw a registrar each time.
Just to show how different things are though, we don't have 12 week scans round here so if I hadn't had a private Nuchal scan, my first scan would have been my 20 week scan (which actually happened at 23 weeks).
I didn't have a birth plan because I've heard that it's quite difficult to persuade the hospital to keep to them.
I read about your midwife's comments and was too shocked to respond but it really sounds as if you need to look into other options for care. Have you looked at other hospitals?
Take care.
Jules
TTC 5 years. Daniel & Charlotte born 22.03.02, 1st ICSI treatment. TTC for 4 further years. 2nd ICSI cycle abandoned, 3rd cycle BFN. Looking forward to being a happy family of 4.
Hi Bina, sorry you had to face such rudeness and unpleasantness.
I can't help with the systems as I live elsewhere so did what happens here which is alternate apts. with a midwife and my GP. Reality no one bothers with the GP as their focus is the tests vs. the midwives who actually listen to your answers and worries. I would suggest you ask your GP about your options. Perhaps there are other midwives you could see?
I did have a birthplan although they're not common here. I think they're a good idea as you get an opportunity to seriously consider and discuss with DH the practicalities of what you hope will happen once labour begins. If you've not discussed drugs/decisons he might be asked to make on your behalf/number of people in room/lighting/students/what-ifs etc. beforehand, it's a bit too late afterwards. To be honest, nothing I wanted to happen did but that's another story
. It has a happy ending and that's all that counts.
Enjoy the rest of your pg,
love
Debra.
I can't help with the systems as I live elsewhere so did what happens here which is alternate apts. with a midwife and my GP. Reality no one bothers with the GP as their focus is the tests vs. the midwives who actually listen to your answers and worries. I would suggest you ask your GP about your options. Perhaps there are other midwives you could see?
I did have a birthplan although they're not common here. I think they're a good idea as you get an opportunity to seriously consider and discuss with DH the practicalities of what you hope will happen once labour begins. If you've not discussed drugs/decisons he might be asked to make on your behalf/number of people in room/lighting/students/what-ifs etc. beforehand, it's a bit too late afterwards. To be honest, nothing I wanted to happen did but that's another story
. It has a happy ending and that's all that counts. Enjoy the rest of your pg,
love
Debra.
Hi Bina
Dont know if I can help but I'm booked in to see my midwife on 15th July to listen to the baby's heartbeat,I made this appointment when I went to see her 2nd June,the appointment on 15th July was also to have the double blood tests done but we have decided not to have these done as if they came back high risk I wouldnt have an amnio.my midwife wrote down when she would see me which is 15 wks,24wks,30wks,32wks,34wks,37wks then every week til I give birth. I'm at my local hosp for my 20 week scan on 17th Aug then I dont see the consulant til I'm 32 weeks.Hope this as helped you I'm suprised your midwife hasnt made you an appointment have you looked into changing your midwife?
Hope your feeling ok
Love Gemxxxxx
Dont know if I can help but I'm booked in to see my midwife on 15th July to listen to the baby's heartbeat,I made this appointment when I went to see her 2nd June,the appointment on 15th July was also to have the double blood tests done but we have decided not to have these done as if they came back high risk I wouldnt have an amnio.my midwife wrote down when she would see me which is 15 wks,24wks,30wks,32wks,34wks,37wks then every week til I give birth. I'm at my local hosp for my 20 week scan on 17th Aug then I dont see the consulant til I'm 32 weeks.Hope this as helped you I'm suprised your midwife hasnt made you an appointment have you looked into changing your midwife?
Hope your feeling ok
Love Gemxxxxx
Bina
Good question and totally understand why you asked it! Gem you sound as if you have more appointments that someone expecting quads!
Mine is very much as Jules and not just because I am pg with twins! Last time with Oliver it was the same. Had a booking in between 9 and 11 weeks with the midwife - on both pg's and then nuchal at 12 wks on both. Then last time with Oliver my midwife saw me every 4 weeks until 32 weeks and then woould have seen me every 2 until 36 and then every week - this is normal protocol.
This time I have what is could consultant led care - ie the consultants at the hospital drive it and the midwife slots in! It is still every 4 weeks and has been up to 32/3 weeks and meant I went in to have a scan every 4 weeks and blood pressure etc. In the early days I would go to see my midwife on the monday before my thursday scan as she would put my mind at ease and do my heartbeat checks and blood pressure and growth etc. She also said I can go in when I want but then she is a friend too. (to be fair she would have been like this anyway) I am now on 2 weekly checks at the hospital as growth is of paramount importance at this stage.
REally bina your lot are a nightmare - you should be seen every 4 weeks until 32 weeks and then every 2 weeks and then at 36 weeks every week
Hope this helps
Love
Tracey
xxx
Good question and totally understand why you asked it! Gem you sound as if you have more appointments that someone expecting quads!
Mine is very much as Jules and not just because I am pg with twins! Last time with Oliver it was the same. Had a booking in between 9 and 11 weeks with the midwife - on both pg's and then nuchal at 12 wks on both. Then last time with Oliver my midwife saw me every 4 weeks until 32 weeks and then woould have seen me every 2 until 36 and then every week - this is normal protocol.
This time I have what is could consultant led care - ie the consultants at the hospital drive it and the midwife slots in! It is still every 4 weeks and has been up to 32/3 weeks and meant I went in to have a scan every 4 weeks and blood pressure etc. In the early days I would go to see my midwife on the monday before my thursday scan as she would put my mind at ease and do my heartbeat checks and blood pressure and growth etc. She also said I can go in when I want but then she is a friend too. (to be fair she would have been like this anyway) I am now on 2 weekly checks at the hospital as growth is of paramount importance at this stage.
REally bina your lot are a nightmare - you should be seen every 4 weeks until 32 weeks and then every 2 weeks and then at 36 weeks every week
Hope this helps
Love
Tracey
xxx
ttc 9 years. 38 yrs old, dh 8 hrs younger!First IVF in Aug 2002 and had ectopic.2nd IVF neg.3rd FET and negative.4th FET and positive but sadly lost our little boy at 20 weeks.5th FET and Alice Isobel and Emily Charlotte born 5th Aug 2004!
Bina
every NHS district is different, I don't see my GP at all he has no involvement in pregnancy (apart from to give me a sick note for work) I have seen the midwife attached to my GP only about 4 times - although she said I had open access to her if I wanted it because I was expecting twins. I saw the midwife at the hospital every 4 weeks from week 20 when I had my first official scan this has continued to now and I am 38 weeks, I have an appointment tomorrow which is only 2 weeks after the last one and this is the shortest timescale in which I have been seen throughout.
They were quite happy for me to be seen and scanned, blood pressure taken and urine checked once a month, for a singleton pregnancy my hospital only does one scan at 20 weeks and you would see the midwife for a check up.
I gather if you are unhappy with your midwife you are well within your rights to ask to see somebody else and this should be carried out.
Take care
Lisa x
every NHS district is different, I don't see my GP at all he has no involvement in pregnancy (apart from to give me a sick note for work) I have seen the midwife attached to my GP only about 4 times - although she said I had open access to her if I wanted it because I was expecting twins. I saw the midwife at the hospital every 4 weeks from week 20 when I had my first official scan this has continued to now and I am 38 weeks, I have an appointment tomorrow which is only 2 weeks after the last one and this is the shortest timescale in which I have been seen throughout.
They were quite happy for me to be seen and scanned, blood pressure taken and urine checked once a month, for a singleton pregnancy my hospital only does one scan at 20 weeks and you would see the midwife for a check up.
I gather if you are unhappy with your midwife you are well within your rights to ask to see somebody else and this should be carried out.
Take care
Lisa x
Hi Bina,
My GP clinic is a nightmare. I registered to see the midwife last week and haven't heard anything since. The GP said the midwife would get in contact with me as I should have a 10 week scan because of twins. I am now 9 weeks. I rang the clinic today to see if I could get hold of the number for the midwife (who has clinics at their surgery) and she told me to ring directory enquiries!! I told her the number was on the bottom of the referal letter from the GP. She told me to go and look at it then. I procedded to tell her I would but I was told to fill it in and give it to the secretaries, and I did. (My fault I didn't take note of the phone number). She said 'oh well ring directory enquiries). - HOW RUDE.
Anyway I do have a sheet from the GP which states what care is provided for single pregnancies:
10-12 weeks Obstetric clinic
16-17 weeks Midwife clinic
19 weeks Ultrasound
22 weeks GP
28 weeks Midwife
31 weeks GP
34 weeks Consultant
36 weeks Midwife
38 weeks GP
40 weeks Midwife
41 weeks Consultant
As I say I can't even get in contact with my midwife so who knows what the difference is when carrying twins.
Argghhh
Shellie
My GP clinic is a nightmare. I registered to see the midwife last week and haven't heard anything since. The GP said the midwife would get in contact with me as I should have a 10 week scan because of twins. I am now 9 weeks. I rang the clinic today to see if I could get hold of the number for the midwife (who has clinics at their surgery) and she told me to ring directory enquiries!! I told her the number was on the bottom of the referal letter from the GP. She told me to go and look at it then. I procedded to tell her I would but I was told to fill it in and give it to the secretaries, and I did. (My fault I didn't take note of the phone number). She said 'oh well ring directory enquiries). - HOW RUDE.
Anyway I do have a sheet from the GP which states what care is provided for single pregnancies:
10-12 weeks Obstetric clinic
16-17 weeks Midwife clinic
19 weeks Ultrasound
22 weeks GP
28 weeks Midwife
31 weeks GP
34 weeks Consultant
36 weeks Midwife
38 weeks GP
40 weeks Midwife
41 weeks Consultant
As I say I can't even get in contact with my midwife so who knows what the difference is when carrying twins.
Argghhh
Shellie
DH 37, me 28 with Endometriosis
First attempt at IVF in May, now pregnant with twins. Fingers still crossed.
First attempt at IVF in May, now pregnant with twins. Fingers still crossed.
Shellie
Sounds like a bloody useless and rude clinic to me - but that does not help. Do you know of anyone who has had a baby there that might have the number of the midwife. Sure she will contact you within the week and the booking in appointment is all very dull but this is hardly the point!
Kick some ASS
Love
Tracey
xxx
Sounds like a bloody useless and rude clinic to me - but that does not help. Do you know of anyone who has had a baby there that might have the number of the midwife. Sure she will contact you within the week and the booking in appointment is all very dull but this is hardly the point!
Kick some ASS
Love
Tracey
xxx
ttc 9 years. 38 yrs old, dh 8 hrs younger!First IVF in Aug 2002 and had ectopic.2nd IVF neg.3rd FET and negative.4th FET and positive but sadly lost our little boy at 20 weeks.5th FET and Alice Isobel and Emily Charlotte born 5th Aug 2004!
-
slymunchkin3
- Regular
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Sat May 08, 2004 5:32 pm
- Location: uk
Hi Shellie,
Just to let you know that I made an appointment to see my GP & they she filled the forms in for me & gave me an appointment for the midwife for 22nd July there & then. The midwife like yours does clinics at the syrgery. I would get on to them again, as you are having twins, I am only having one so they should get you booked in.
Anyway hope you are feeling ok & good Luck!
Just to let you know that I made an appointment to see my GP & they she filled the forms in for me & gave me an appointment for the midwife for 22nd July there & then. The midwife like yours does clinics at the syrgery. I would get on to them again, as you are having twins, I am only having one so they should get you booked in.
Anyway hope you are feeling ok & good Luck!
Christina Proud Mum Of Bradley after successful 1st IVF.
hi bina,
my hospital is in london too but my appointments have been split between nhs and private so it's difficult to say exactly what should or might have happend if i was just with the hospital and gp.
i had my scans done privately upto week 26. these were at wk 4, 6, 8, 12, 17 and 26, but had midwife, gp or consultant (all nhs) appoints about every 3-4 weeks from week 17. then every two weeks from about week 30. my scans were done privately because i hadn't decided what hospital to go to and didn't want to attend the local hospital because of previous bad experience. my scans stopped at wk 26 but the hospital consultant did say that if i wanted more then to just ask.
also i attended antenatal classes every week from wk 24 for 5 weeks (these aren't check up's though).
i'm at university college hospital in euston and have a midwife there and one at my local gp's practice. i must say that UCH has been fantastic so far. one of my closest friends moved from queen charlottes not so long ago, because they upset her so much.
does your gp have a midwife attached? queen charlottes must have a birth plan. wk 12 to wk 20 seems a fairly long time between apointments even it's if just for overall general well being checks and not scans.
why don't you call the midwife or gp and ask more about it, or even ask your gp about changing completely. its important that you feel comfortable with your carers.
best wishes,
phil
my hospital is in london too but my appointments have been split between nhs and private so it's difficult to say exactly what should or might have happend if i was just with the hospital and gp.
i had my scans done privately upto week 26. these were at wk 4, 6, 8, 12, 17 and 26, but had midwife, gp or consultant (all nhs) appoints about every 3-4 weeks from week 17. then every two weeks from about week 30. my scans were done privately because i hadn't decided what hospital to go to and didn't want to attend the local hospital because of previous bad experience. my scans stopped at wk 26 but the hospital consultant did say that if i wanted more then to just ask.
also i attended antenatal classes every week from wk 24 for 5 weeks (these aren't check up's though).
i'm at university college hospital in euston and have a midwife there and one at my local gp's practice. i must say that UCH has been fantastic so far. one of my closest friends moved from queen charlottes not so long ago, because they upset her so much.
does your gp have a midwife attached? queen charlottes must have a birth plan. wk 12 to wk 20 seems a fairly long time between apointments even it's if just for overall general well being checks and not scans.
why don't you call the midwife or gp and ask more about it, or even ask your gp about changing completely. its important that you feel comfortable with your carers.
best wishes,
phil
Hi all of you fellow preggies,
THANKS so much for your words of wisdom!
Shellie, your plan for all the scans etc at various weeks is a great guideline! I'll see whether I can persuade Queen Charlotte's to stick to that.
In the meantime I did call the antenatal clinic again (where the rude midwife is!) and asked whether I can request NOT to be seen by her again and they assured me that this was no problem at all. They make sure I don't get her a second time, but somebody else - hopefully better!
The problem with going to the midwife attached to my GP surgery is that she comes from Queen Charlotte's and does one day a week at my surgery. She's actually the first one who was useless as well; she didn't take any notes whatsoever, asked me why I was actually there and then was only concerned whether I had done the paperwork correctly...! So don't want to go back to her either...
So, I have also booked DH and me in for NCTclasses (not starting until November, but if I make it until then, hopefully they explain the rest to us). The other thing we did was book a tour of the birthcentre at Queen Charlotte's, which is run by midwives, so that way we thought if we find someone we like (wishful thinking?) we see whether we can stick with her; plus it might be nice to see where it could all be happening...!
So, keeping my fingers crossed that it'll all go well.....still being sick every morning, but quite happy about it! Bring it all on! Tiredeness is getting slowly better, but am still a wet blanket really...!
Thanks so much again - let me know if any of you have any other advice, all extremely welcome! Also, if you or anyone knows anyone who's been to Queen Charlotte's I'd love to know!
Cheers and best wishes to everyone!
bina
THANKS so much for your words of wisdom!
Shellie, your plan for all the scans etc at various weeks is a great guideline! I'll see whether I can persuade Queen Charlotte's to stick to that.
In the meantime I did call the antenatal clinic again (where the rude midwife is!) and asked whether I can request NOT to be seen by her again and they assured me that this was no problem at all. They make sure I don't get her a second time, but somebody else - hopefully better!
The problem with going to the midwife attached to my GP surgery is that she comes from Queen Charlotte's and does one day a week at my surgery. She's actually the first one who was useless as well; she didn't take any notes whatsoever, asked me why I was actually there and then was only concerned whether I had done the paperwork correctly...! So don't want to go back to her either...
So, I have also booked DH and me in for NCTclasses (not starting until November, but if I make it until then, hopefully they explain the rest to us). The other thing we did was book a tour of the birthcentre at Queen Charlotte's, which is run by midwives, so that way we thought if we find someone we like (wishful thinking?) we see whether we can stick with her; plus it might be nice to see where it could all be happening...!
So, keeping my fingers crossed that it'll all go well.....still being sick every morning, but quite happy about it! Bring it all on! Tiredeness is getting slowly better, but am still a wet blanket really...!
Thanks so much again - let me know if any of you have any other advice, all extremely welcome! Also, if you or anyone knows anyone who's been to Queen Charlotte's I'd love to know!
Cheers and best wishes to everyone!
bina
ttc 2.5 yrs
endometriosis treated May 2003
IVF Apr 2004 +ve: Lucy was born 27.12.04
2nd IVF Jan06 +ve; EDD 30th October 2006 - feeling sooo lucky and praying for a healthy delivery!!!
me 36 yrs; DH 46 yrs
endometriosis treated May 2003
IVF Apr 2004 +ve: Lucy was born 27.12.04
2nd IVF Jan06 +ve; EDD 30th October 2006 - feeling sooo lucky and praying for a healthy delivery!!!
me 36 yrs; DH 46 yrs
Bina
I think you are doing all the right things - well done -can't help on Queen Charlottes I am afraid
(you have stumped me on this one!) but feel sure you will find a midwife you can get on with. Some are just dreadful I have heard and feel lucky the one attached to my GP's is fab and lives in my village and is a friend. Met two on our tour of the hospital 10 days ago and they were lovely too so i have everything crossed for you wet blanket
Take care won't you
Love
Tracey
xxx
I think you are doing all the right things - well done -can't help on Queen Charlottes I am afraid
(you have stumped me on this one!) but feel sure you will find a midwife you can get on with. Some are just dreadful I have heard and feel lucky the one attached to my GP's is fab and lives in my village and is a friend. Met two on our tour of the hospital 10 days ago and they were lovely too so i have everything crossed for you wet blanket Take care won't you
Love
Tracey
xxx
ttc 9 years. 38 yrs old, dh 8 hrs younger!First IVF in Aug 2002 and had ectopic.2nd IVF neg.3rd FET and negative.4th FET and positive but sadly lost our little boy at 20 weeks.5th FET and Alice Isobel and Emily Charlotte born 5th Aug 2004!
Hello,
Thought I'd update you on my midwife drama (sorry for taking over thread
) I finally got hold of the midwife, by ringing the hospital who were more than happy to help me out. The midwife was lovely she was very helpful over the phone and is getting in contact with my hospital (ERI) to find out what procedure to use. As I have crohns disease, endometriosis and pg with twins she thinks the consultant will want to see me first as it is classed as a 'high risk' pregnancy. Anyway she dropped round some pamphlets and will let me know what to do as soon as she has spoken to the consultant.
I feel better now.
Shellie
Thought I'd update you on my midwife drama (sorry for taking over thread
) I finally got hold of the midwife, by ringing the hospital who were more than happy to help me out. The midwife was lovely she was very helpful over the phone and is getting in contact with my hospital (ERI) to find out what procedure to use. As I have crohns disease, endometriosis and pg with twins she thinks the consultant will want to see me first as it is classed as a 'high risk' pregnancy. Anyway she dropped round some pamphlets and will let me know what to do as soon as she has spoken to the consultant.I feel better now.
Shellie
DH 37, me 28 with Endometriosis
First attempt at IVF in May, now pregnant with twins. Fingers still crossed.
First attempt at IVF in May, now pregnant with twins. Fingers still crossed.