Unhappy With Antenatal Care

[cherryelm]

My daughter is expecting her first child next month and is not happy with the level of care she has received. What can we do without being seen as troublemakers?

[anneasquith]

she should talk to her midwife/gp re her concerns, best to make a list of concerns. you will not be a trouble maker.

[sara3]

what was she expecting (care-wise), and what has or hasn't happened?

[bednobs]

it will depend on what the actual problem is:
if it's to do with the quality of care she is receiving then she either needs to speak to the people providing it or if she is uncomfortable doing this, the loacal PALS service can support her. If it is to do with for example something national (like the quantity of scans during the pregnancy) then she should take it up with her MP

[cherryelm]

She has never had an appointment lasting more than 5 minutes each with a different midwife. She is now 34 weeks and has never been given the opportunity to discuss her birth plan or any concerns she has. The midwife who was supposed to organise her antenatal class
'forgot' and now she is booked on a class just 1 week before her due date. I am a former midwife but it is a long time since I practised so I do not want to give her advice which may be out of date or practice

[anneasquith]

next time she goes to an visit. she presents her questions / anxieties to the midwife, and tell her not to leave until ALL HER QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED. GOOD LUCK

[johnny37]

This is all very well but your daughter need something done now to get on the right track. You do not want to be seen as a trouble maker but actually the patient has a lot of power these days. Do not be overawed by them. Make a list of things bothering you and make an appointment with the midwife today to resolve your issues ASAP. You are entitled to have your probs addressed in a timely, sympathetic and professional manner. I am not just saying that. It is what the patient charter is all about. If it is the midwife who is the prob ask to see her superior. Be assertive and you will get things done. Change the carer if necessary. It applies to anything, not just pregnancy.

[4getmenot]

Unless midwife finds a problem then the appointment isnt that long. I booked my own antenatal when given the dates. I have 1st one this afternoon. Has she ever talked to the midwife about her concerns? To be honest i think they are told just to stick to basic info now and everything else can be found on internet.

[ummmm]

They do seem much more hands off now.

[Sharingan]

I know nothing myself about this from personal experience but my Mum had one set of twins in the US where they were very hands on, structured and informative which she described as 'horrific' and one set in Germany where she had a home delivery and everything although very efficient was very laid back. I suppose my point being that intense 'care' is perhaps not always the most important thing, it's perhaps a positive thing they don't spend much time as it means there is nothing wrong.

[anneasquith]

4get, how is your pbd ? excuse me cherry

[4getmenot]

Psd still bad but im used to it now. I have a brace to wear on walks. I also have wrist splints to wear at night for carpal tunnel. Baby healthy just me thats falling apart. Lol x

[anneasquith]

wont be long now !!!!!!!

[4getmenot]

2 and a half weeks!! :-) although baby measuring 3 weeks ahead.