Experience of NHS maternity care so far

I'm at UCLH and can't complain over anything. I feel really taken care of and that they know what they are doing. The midwives are lovely and the Consultant is spoke to really listened to me (it felt like) and noone have tried to push me any direction, never been called geriatric mum, even though I'm 43 in 3 weeks. I feel trust in them. Very happy with my care!

I've been really happy with my care but I have also had a low risk pregnancy. My only gripe is that my local hospital doesn't seem to publish a lot of my information on badger notes so for example I had a thyroid test at 28 weeks as I am already diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and because my results weren't published I couldn't see the results until my next midwife appointment. I've had to chase the hospital a couple of times but my midwife has been amazing! It would be helpful for things to be a little more consistent across trusts.

So far better than it was the first time round during covid. Younger more open minded and accepting staff/midwives. Still short staffed, struggle for appointments, long waiting times and general confusion and disarray (which feels usual for NHS services). Consultants have been majority better but still hit and miss with some. Only experienced one midwife who seemed like she had a bit of a bad attitude which I assumed came from feeling burned out/overworked. Overall lots of room for improvement but I can see the thought of optimum services is there with some attempt to make them available but the staffing, funding and resources act as barriers to make it actually accessible.

I've struggled with multiple people, doctors and midwives in Triage mostly all telling me different things. Some patronising, some I think are being really informative to only be told the next visit that that previous Dr is wrong.... Makes it really difficult to make informed decisions when you don't know who to trust is telling the truth