Opinion: Midwife/Standard of care is a letdown?

[kadesmummy]

I've seen ALOT of posts recently, complaining about midwives and lack of care etc. I also feel the same.

I think the midwives, the standard of support they provide, and the appointments they provide have dropped dramatically in the last 3 years since i had my last baby.

Whenever i go visit the midwife, it seems like she doesn't care, they don't know what's going on half the time and basically your just another number, not a person with feelings or worries, and to me, since they are women, they should know what it feels like to be pregnant, over emotional, worried etc. and be more sympathetic.

Does anyone else feel the same? it's like... the NHS are trying to revert women back to the way they had babies years ago, they are cutting back appointments, checking over the basics just because they need to and that's it, your left to your own devices until it's time for your little one to be be born! (and even then they don't pay proper attention until your in proper labour!) - although saying that, if they see a problem with baby/mummy then they step the game up.

xx

 

[mummyagain]

I must say i am very lucky as i live in a small town and the midwifes here are all lovely and make u feel very welcome and have alot of time for u. You even get ur own room after u have had ur baby and u can stay up to 2 weeks if u want to. However 23miles up the road is our main hospital for emergencys and it is a totally different story. I had to go there for scans n have been sent there before when my local hospital couldnt treat me n they treat u like a number and leave u sat in a room for hours just to b sent home again saying theres nothing they can do etc....nothing like the midwifes here.

 

[pickled_onion]

I live in a rural area served by team of eight community midwives. Of the ones I've seen, I've generally found them to be friendly, helpful and supportive. One I saw early on was a bit too clinical and business-like for my taste but she was still clearly competent.

The midwives always seem to be running late (sometimes up to an hour) but that is because they take the time to sit with the ladies and go through any questions/concerns. I never feel rushed even though they are obviously busy and on a tight schedule. When we couldn't make some of the antenatal classes scheduled for earlier this month, one of them came round to our house and went through everything with us. So no, I really can't complain about the standard of care here.

It does sound to be a bit of a postcode lottery though.

 

[CharlieOne]

I hate my midwife appointments cant say ive ever had one where i felt comfortable or happy with, i get everything checked then thats it your okay/baby okay go - feels like im rushed in and out and its always next appoinment in 6 weeks time! Ive never asked them any questions - found answers in books/internet/on here and when i heard baby heartbeat was for a few seconds and that was it - came out upset....im shy too which doesnt help....but still....

 

[mum2A&L]

1st time around my community mw forgot to organise cover to visit me when i came home after having alice.... i ended up calling to chase them, and still no one showed. ive got the same named mw this time around so part of me isn't holding out much hope!!

i can not fault the care i get from the mw's on the ward though!! they are fantastic!

i wouldn't say im disappointed with the care, but sometimes im shocked by it! esp some of the things they say to people.