in October 2023 Babies 🇬🇧

Am I overreacting?

So, let me start by saying that I have been lucky as far as physical pregnancy symptoms go, but since day one I have been so much more emotional, about everything, sonetines nothing. Yep, normal, I know. I've always been a worrier and find it impossible to push things aside and not worry if I haven't got an immediate solution. I also don't want this to look like attack on the NHS....but....this is my first pregnancy so I'm not sure how much I am meant to deal with myself... I have my care split between my local midwives and my local hospital. Unfortunately, I live just over the border in Wales, and my local hospital is in England. While in England for an appt I was prescribed 2 medication - important ones, pessaries to prevent cervix opening to soon as I have shortening due to surgery, and blood thinning injections as I've had a DVT so risk is really high. With a week remaining on my script, I called the prescribing hospital for more. To avoid the faff, the midwives told me to ask my local midwife team to get my GP to prescribe. Fine. Local midwives asked for an email from me detailing the meds and photographs. I did that, it was sent to my GP and I got a call from the GP later actually shouting at me because it was unacceptable and unprofessional that they had not received a signed, headed letter from England. Cue the first lot of tears.... So I was told by GP that I had to sort this. Called every number I have for the maternity departments at the English hospital...while at work...they either didn't answer the phone or couldn't find my details and transferred me. Eventually I had to leave a msg with the secretary of a consultant who prescribed one of the meds, who had the foresight to contact the emergency triage doctors to have an emergency 10 day prescription written. So here it is....am I mad ladies? Are we expected to do this, or should they be keeping better records and communicating better? The idea of having to do this again in 10 days is really not having a good effect on me! If I need to man up and be more organised for myself please tell me

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I have had the exact same issue with this, with the blood thinners. Such a back and forth! Clinic to local midwife to my GP and back. Until I had to go and collect mine from another hospital where my consultant is based. It seems to be pretty common their lack of organisation with it. The best thing is ask for your consultant to send repeats as they seem to be the only ones who will actually prescribe them. My GP said the same thing. Now it has just reminded me I need to call the consultant again to send out a new prescription. You're not mad, its them and their lack of communication. This is my 2nd pregnancy on the thinners and it was the same last time. Best thing id suggest is do tell the consultant you need a repeat put in place so the midwives can send it to the pharmacy for you to collect.

Thanks @Anna

Email your gp practice so that you also have a copy and state what blood thinner you are on and dose and explain you have a dvt! Which could potentially travel! Tell them you need this as you have ran out and are pregnant with a blood clot and explain that should something happen you will be holding the gp practice accountable! Explain you have tried getting what they have requested but your done doing there job for them! Obviously put all details! You soon watch they won’t like that you’ve sent in an email and have proof! Also write same thing in a letter and personally take it to them!

I’m someone who has had dvts and multiple pe, both bilateral lower lobes, I’m also pregnant and aware of the risks involved! This is not something to play around with! Oh also state your are pregnant and this is causing you a lot of stress and anxiety! X

Thanks guys, will get writing and recording!

Sounds like your doctor needs advice on how to react to situations when they are under pressure. You're not responsible to do their work for them. I would ring and ask for an apology. Pregnancy is stressful enough without added worries and you need to remain calm and healthy for you and your baby.

I’ve had this issue as I’m also on medication for the cervix and need to take until 34 weeks. It’s taken a lot of tears and frustration but now my GP has a repeat prescription for me every 4 weeks. It’s really not fair we have to go through all this stress when we’ve been told we need this medication but are palmed off as to who can give it to us. I believe it should be your GP prescribing the medication now after the hospital have said what is needed x

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