Curious about MW involvement

[Maaaaaac]

Just wanted to see the differences in what people have. I only see a MW for scans then at 40 wk so at 12 week (includes BA) and 20 week and sometimes a scan at 32. Otherwise ive to just make my appointments with my ordinary run of the mill GP. Its my first pregnancy but low risk. I see here everyone saying 'ask your midwife' or to check with mw but i dont really have the option to do that so i guess i just either get gp advice over phone or make an appointment. I dont kbow who id even contact if it was movement or anything related. I spose id ring appointments number at local maternity unit and get them to put me through. I feel a bit abandoned to be honest.

 

[scn]

I think if you were worried about reduced movement etc then you would phone the mat unit as it'll be there you would go to be checked over and monitored. Maybe a question for you to ask and get clarified when you go for your 20 weeks scan?

 

[Maaaaaac]

Yeah thats top of my list to ask! I had like an antenatal thing last week and they were so unhelpful, seems only community midwife involvement if you have multiples or high risk.

 

[Maud]

That's definitely unusual. Midwives wouldn't usually be at the scans as they aren't qualified sonographers. Where do you live?

 

[Maud]

Sorry just saw you're in Northern Ireland. Not sure if things are done differently over there but it certainly isn't normal for England.

 

[Selina13]

Ahhh for your first baby I would have thought you would have more mw contact. I'm not surprised you feel abandoned.

Maybe that's how things are done where you live but it's pretty shoddy service. I think your best bet is to contact your community midwife team if you do have any questions that are specific, I would not go to my gp regarding my pregnancy as I would want a midwife as they are specialised in pregnancy related everything and birth!!! X

 

[KeelyT90]

In England we see MW more with first pregnancy than with second/third etc.....
It's slightly different with myself as I'm consultant lead. Most see their MW around 16 weeks but I'm seeing consultant.
Would defo get a list of what you want answers to for your next scan appt x

 

[Rhiandell]

I think it can vary a lot, but I think it should be the same in Northern Ireland as England? I know Scotland is very different on many points when it comes to healthcare but NI is still NHS isn't it? Sort same guidelines.
I saw my GP this week to talk about medication, and she told me to make an appointment with the midwife around week 12, which felt really late. I know the first appointment can be with GP or midwife, but we only talked about my meds, nothing about nutrition and all the other things. Though honestly I'm kind of relieved, since I wasn't much looking forward to being lectured about my weight lol...

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[Maaaaaac]

That's definitely unusual. Midwives wouldn't usually be at the scans as they aren't qualified sonographers. Where do you live?

Its only been midwives doing my scans, i assume they are trained? Lol. The care over here in NI is so varied even within the one trust but there is definite increased dependence on GPs doing routine appointments.

I think your best bet is to contact your community midwife team if you do have any questions that are specific

You can only see community midwife team if your gp surgery has cover by them and mines doesnt! I think i can only go to hosp midwives. Ugh so confusing lol. Noone can give me a straight answer when I ask or they just fob me to someone else. Going to camp out after my scan and sit with a pen and a notebook lol

 

[Prettypee]

Your midwife should include her contact number in your pack of notes when doing your booking in appointment.

Personally, my experience both times has been poor. My midwife changed pretty much every other week through pregnancy 1 due to staff moving locations, another not working out and then the next breaking her foot! This time my first midwife retired the week she booked me in, the 16 week midwife was a temporary as replacement wasn't confirmed, now replacement has started.... So I've had little care from midwife - luckily my cousin is a midwife and so I text/call her.

If you are 20+ and worried there should be a maternity assessment unit at your local hospital (number should be in your notes). X

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[Phoenix85]

It's definitely not normal/usual, even for NI. If you google it the posts that come up from other NI women say they are seeing their MW just like they would in England.

Do you live somewhere remote maybe? I dunno but just wondering if there isn't enough demand for MWs which is why it's all handled by the GP?
Definitely odd though.

Any HCP can do training to be a sonographer so your MWs must have done it. Again, if there aren't many pregnant women or births at your local hospital it probably makes sense to train the MWs to do scans rather than employing a specific Sonographer where that's all they do.

 

[dolly26]

Hi what part of NI are you in? I know from personal experience the midwifes can and will do early scans up until 12 weeks. You should be seeing your midwife at 16,24,28,32,36 and 38 then weekly. I wasn't seen by my community midwife at all as I was hospital care only but my sister was seen by hers.

If you have any concerns about movement or any bleeding etc phone admissions.

 

[Maaaaaac]

I live in Belfast so opposite of remote, i live within 5/10 mins of two maternity units! I thought because they were so bisy was why i being 'fobbed' of to GP In my notes it highlights mw 12,20,32 (with scans as well) and then 40 specifically says in pen to make all other appointments myself through GP

Ill have to get number for admissions, the only numbers on my notes are for antenatal and outpatient unit (unless that's the number i call)
Scan next friday so ill ask then. As i said feel vsry abandoned. Im not undermining the GP but pregnancy is very specific.

 

[Smileygirl]

Yeah, it does seem quite strange. I'm not in NI, but all my appointments are with the midwife or sonographer, none with the gp... They also gave me clear numbers to call in case of emergency at different stages of pregnancy. Is it to do with a midwife shortage in your area? Hope you're ok!

 

[Maaaaaac]

Must be, i had (well i say had lol, recommended to go at ba) to go to like an early antenatal thing and they talked about pelvic floor exercises, diet and covered lots of stuff, im wondering now if that was because there is limited midwife cover. Im fine, im happy enough but now worried about other first time mums and how tgey must be feeling!

 

[dolly26]

Your under the Belfast trust then so you should be seeing a midwife. Can you phone your gp and ask to be given an appt for the midwife in the practice.

Pm me if you need anymore help

 

[Maaaaaac]

There's no midwife at my practice, i asked already. So being with a gp is unusual, it doesn't seem to be unusual to them.

 

[dolly26]

I would be on the phone on Monday to your gp because you should have a community midwife because they will be the ones looking after you once your home with baby. And it's very rare for a gp to have done a rotation in maternity. I only seen my gp to get booked in and for heartburn and I know my sister was the same

 

[Maaaaaac]

Thanks, really appreciate input from NI

 

[Summergurl]

Have you got a children's centre near you? I have been to one when I couldn't get it with the midwife at my surgery or she was off. Maybe that's something to look at at going to a centre like that rather than docs.