in May 2025 Babies 🇬🇧

Midwives and Assessment Unit- A bit of a rant

Today I had a midwife appointment at 40w+1. Despite asking for some continuity of care, I was seen by yet someone new. She checked the previous measurements done at 38w and apologised cause I should have been sent in for a scan (I haven't had one past 20w). Then she asked about movements and I told her that baby has been active these past few days but last week a bit less. I find the whole concept of reduced movements and patterns a mindfuck (for lack of a better word) and keep receiving inconsistent advice. Anyway, I wasn't worried, she was overly cautious and called to refer me to the AU while also referring me for an urgent scan. Cue in another 5 hour wait at Southmead hospital. This is the 2nd time that I go and end up waiting for a doctor's review only to leave 5 hours later "against medical advice". I understand that they're understaffed, but we were once again left with no updates, just "wait". When I questioned what the doctor would do, the answer was "since you're past your due date and you came in for reduced movements, the doctor would give you the option to have an induction". I don't want one and I don't think that without a scan they can give me a reasonable explanation of why I'd need one. But I somehow needed to wait indefinitely for a 5 min (at best) chat with a doctor to tell me what I already know! I'm more concerned about the actual drop in percentiles on the fundal height curve, but first I need a scan. One that I was refused by Southmead hospital after their own midwife referral when I went in for reduced movements at 34w.

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I'm so sorry you had to go through this - Southmead is such a shitshow... I can't believe they actually refused you the scan but well done for sticking up for yourself! I'm having a scan tomorrow morning which will hopefully give me enough ammunition on Friday when I fully plan to refuse the induction that was booked in against my will. I do hope they won't jerk me around as well... N.B. Saw a community midwife today (different to my usual one) - she took one look at my file, rolled her eyes and said "I see you had a bit of an ordeal at the hospital last week; the consultant's "plan" is all over the place!". She reassured me that baby will come when he's ready, checked me and baby over and didn't even offer a sweep which I really appreciated (she obviously took an effort to read my birth preferences!). It was such a different and positive experience! BTW, you should consider putting in a PALS concern (they have to review those in 5 days rather than 35 days they take with complaint). Not long now... x

@Paulina thanks! I wish I'd known that they were this chaotic, I'd have gone to Bath instead. At 34w they said I didn't meet the criteria for a scan (despite the referral from their own AU), now everyone is concerned that I haven't had one since December! And I get the protocol, but making me wait for hours for a doctor to tell me what I already know is ridiculous. The one doctor covering AU, delivery and postnatal, btw! The community midwife I saw today was great, she didn't fuss over the fact that I don't want any interventions if I can avoid it, not even a sweep. But she was clearly unimpressed with her colleague who measure me at 36.5 cm at 38w. Apparently they're not supposed to record 0.5cm and it was a drop in percentile that should have been referred! I did ask thay midwife about it and she assured me that it was within range... Anyway, fingers crossed that this baby comes out of his own free will cause I can't deal with Southmead being like this... Good luck to you too!

Gosh, I've been thinking the same, should have gone with RUH! Or have a home birth, but I'm not brave enough... I do hope that despite Southmead being how it is we both get to give birth on our own terms! :)

@Paulina we can only hope that once labour starts they get their shit together.... but yes, a home birth or RUH sound much better right now!

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