MATB1 form?

[Jamie.d]

I have got a midwife but I'm having no regular appointments...I've had my scans etc but my anxiety is being managed in a way that I don't see anyone regularly.

I phoned around today to try and get a MATB1 form but no one wanted to give me one? the GP thinks the midwife has to book an appointment but the midwife was adamant the GP does it if I don't see her? Which is not again now until 34 weeks...
I'm literally going to be giving birth behind my desk.

I'm so confused! Who can give me one!! I was hoping to go on mat leave by May which really isn't going to happen now

 

[Mexico2014]

I get mine from the midwife! Think they can only be issued after 20 weeeks. I have my midwife coming next Friday for my 25 week check and to do the measurements and she will give the form then x

 

[KHTW]

I got mine from the MW at my 24 week apppintment. They are reluctant to give you one before then but obv you are 24 weeks now so go to your GP or call MW and ask her to wrote you one and leave at reception xx

 

[Jamie.d]

she says she can't issue one unless I agree to receive regular visits..but the doctor won't either? so i'm stuck between a rock and a hard place lol!

 

[Mexico2014]

Agree them to get the form and then cancel them if you don’t want to have the appointments

 

[SF2018]

I'm pretty sure legally they have to provide you with one as it affects your maternity leave and maternity pay.

 

[GBLiz]

i wasnt told i had to have regular appointments - i havent had them regularly in one place because i'm kind of across areas- and i got my form at approx 24 weeks when i happened to be at an appointment and asked for it. just make a mw appointment and ask for it, shouldnt be a problem?

 

[Elven]

I will be getting one at my 25 week appointment, but definitely wasn't told regular appointments were mandatory in order to get one. I would just book an appointment with the MW for a check-up and ask her for the form then, seems mad for them to be making it difficult really!

 

[Jamie.d]

it's because they're not so happy about me not having regular appointments I have a feeling it's more of a ploy to get me booked in with her but I absolutely refuse! I know I'm healthy and my baby is too, any change in that and I would get seen to of course... It's just more beneficial for the sake of my mental health to keep as calm and relaxed as I can... so far it has worked wonders and I'm 1000x better but now they're making something so simple a huge task I can feel it creeping back!

 

[Princess81]

It just says that they’ve examined you, the date of the examination, and that they expect you will have that baby on the week including your EDD. A midwife could do that from seeing you only once. GP’s can also do it because I’ve seen it happen. Weird.

 

[Jamie.d]

It just says that they’ve examined you, the date of the examination, and that they expect you will have that baby on the week including your EDD. A midwife could do that from seeing you only once. GP’s can also do it because I’ve seen it happen. Weird.

my manager was laughing at the phonecalls because I was going back and fourth!

The receptionist told me to ring back on Monday and they'd find out what I could do to get one
Should be such a simple thing!

 

[Fela]

I got mine at my 25 week appointment. I think it says on the form that they have examined you and confirm that you are pregnant and expected to deliver a baby on EDD. Then they sign it. Considering it says that they examined you on the form, I imagine they are reluctant to just hand over the form unless they actually did examine you as. I know I'm a stickler personally for not signing something unless I've met the letter of what the document says.

I suspect you need to just make one appointment p, attend it, get the form and you're done.

 

[Jamie.d]

I think that's what I'll do on Monday...It's just annoying because two receptionists told me the GP couldn't do it, but my midwife was adamant they could. Surely they can't deny me having one?
I doubt my manager will let me go on mat leave as early as I requested anyway....

Thanks everyone

 

[Sharcaz]

This seems crazy! You're pregnant so you're entitled to one to prove you're pregnant and get the maternity pay you're entitled to! I got mine from my consultant app as I was consultant led... The nurse got me one and the Dr signed it. Sounds like your midwife is just being awkward :/ could make a GP app and explain the situation? Are there any other midwives you can ask as I rarely got to see my "designated" midwife. Good luck lovely! Xx

 

[GBLiz]

i know youve had bad experiences with midwives and hospital staff etc but it would be a good idea to keep some appointments with a mw just so you know you are not high risk for your homebirth. for example getting iron levels checked to make sure you're not at risk of needing a blood transfusion, just keeping an eye on blood pressure. You may find it impossible for someone to attend to your homebirth if you haven been deemed low risk. you dont have to go to all the appointments or consent to everything they might suggest but straight out refusing isnt the only way to be in control.....i have picked and chosen when i feel there is any merit in seeing a midwife, and if they have offered things i dont want i just politely say no thank you.

 

[Jamie.d]

i know youve had bad experiences with midwives and hospital staff etc but it would be a good idea to keep some appointments with a mw just so you know you are not high risk for your homebirth. for example getting iron levels checked to make sure you're not at risk of needing a blood transfusion, just keeping an eye on blood pressure. You may find it impossible for someone to attend to your homebirth if you haven been deemed low risk. you dont have to go to all the appointments or consent to everything they might suggest but straight out refusing isnt the only way to be in control.....i have picked and chosen when i feel there is any merit in seeing a midwife, and if they have offered things i dont want i just politely say no thank you.

I thought this... I have seen her a couple times and have asked her to come out on Wednesday and check BP and fundal measurements as it's getting closer to the time... She's going to come out and check the house too at 35 weeks too, like you say it's a case of having the necessary checks I'd hate to put the baby at extra risk

She's actually been really understanding so far and I feel like I've kept a good level head throughout (compared to usual!) so it has been the best way for me to make it through

 

[Red_eric]

As far as the form goes, where I am they give you the form with your file when you first go to the doctor to say you’re pregnant. I was told just to drop off the form at my GP once I reached 20 weeks, that it would be signed and I could come back the next day to collect it. However, somehow it was mislaid at the surgery and it was an absolute nightmare trying to get a replacement one - in fact I don’t have one yet, although they have promised me there will be one waiting for me on Friday.

The reason I’m sharing this with you is that there genuinely seemed to be a lot of confusion about whether they were allowed to give me another form, who could sign it etc... the midwife said there had been problems in the past where people gave them into their employers, then needed another copy to claim shared parental leave. It may be that people are genuinely unsure rather than trying to trick you into attending more appointments than you are comfortable with. I would go along to the one appointment with a supportive friend if needs be, get it signed and you’ll be good to go. You don’t have to have anything done if you don’t want it done and you don’t have to attend future appointments once it’s signed unless you want specific checks done.

Hope that helps.

 

[Jamie.d]

Thank you ladies

I did decide it would just be easier to get seen by the midwife...saves all the faffing around I suppose!
She can also go through my birth preferences with me so I'll deffo have to be prepared lol x