How often to see the midwife?

Balamory

A relative of mine is pregnant at the moment. She lost a baby last year and is obviously very anxious. She has been told by her midwife that they are now only seeing people every 8 weeks. When I had my children it was every 4 weeks. Has any one else not been seen for this long?

Thanks

Lillibet_2

I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant with my first, I have seen my GP at 5 weeks and a midwife so far at : 12, 18, 24, 28, 31 & appointment due at 34 weeks, further appointments due at 38 & 40 weeks. This is in Surrey, I expect , like scans, it varies county to county. I ahve also had a couple of minor ailments which have resulted in my being seen on the spur of the moment at the hospital once & by a midwife follwing a ante-natal class once (this week in fact). I had scans at 12 & 22 weeks. The team of midwives I have seen have been very accomodating, taking blood preassue durign ante-natal classes & fitting in appointments at the very alst minute whenever I ahve had concerns.

Miscarriage, although utterly heartbraking, is not considered a problem unless more than 3 have occoured or an eptopic pregnancy. I am not trying to play down your friends mis-carriage in any way but if it is just one then I understand it really is very unlikey to have any direct bearing on this pregnancy, however the worry could (high boold preassure anyone?).

HTH

s@sha

I'm 27 weeks pregnant. I saw my midwife once at 10 weeks for all the initial 'booking in' stuff. I was told I didn't need to see her again until 24 weeks, which I thought was a bit too long to be honest. Especially since they said that because this is an IVF baby I am considered 'higher-risk' and have to have 'consultant-led care'. (Don't ask me why...I don't see how the baby was conceived makes me higher-risk, as long as both baby & I are healthy & everything's going OK.)

To be fair, I also has a 12-week scan & ante-natal checkup at the hospital, and an anomaly scan at 20 weeks, both of which are standard here in Cardiff.

I think I'm supposed to see her every 4 weeks now, but because I have another ante-natal appt at the hospital at 28 weeks (think this an extra one to do with the IVF thing) I won't be seeing the midwife again until 30 weeks. . so as Lillibet says, it does vary depending on where you are.

I think Lillibet is right with her advice on miscarriages, as I've been told the same thing, though I can completely understand how much more worried your relative must be about this pregnancy. If you don't mind me asking, was it an early miscarriage, or did something happen later in the pregnancy?

I ask because my friend also lost a baby in 2003 suddenly at 35 weeks pregnant. When she became pregnant again she was monitered throughout the pregnancy with twice-weekly scans.

Balamory

Thank you both. The miscarriage was at 15 weeks. I was under the care of the same midwife only recently and it was every 4 weeks. This is a new thing apparently. She is seeing a consultant soon so maybe he will want more monitoring.

jenpoptab

I've just had a baby and was seen much less compared to last baby. I had confirmation appt at 7 weeks, then booking in appointment at 16 wks, the 24, 28, 34, 36 & 38 weeks. They say it depends on area but you can request appt at any time if you have any concerns. All the best with this pregnancy.

Counting_Pennies_2

I know it sounds incredibly harsh, but when I spoke to my midwife about extra care after miscarriage she said they only take it seriously after three!

I know in my area they are looking to scale down the visits to midwifes for uncomplicated pregnancies, so if your friend is doing well in this pregnancy she is unlikely to immediately be given the additional visits.

I would however advise her to speak about her concerns and request more meetings. It might even be that the midwife isn't necessary and the doctor agrees to do some more appointments in between. (I know it sounds crazy but midwife shortages seem to be greater than the shortage of doctor appointments!)

If not perhaps talk to the consultant and arrange drop ins at the hospital.

I remember the hospital allowed me to go in on each occasion I called them with a concern, and never had a go at me. I went in on three occasions and was allowed to be monitored so I could hear baby and felt very reassured.

jellyhead

i'm 34 weeks pregnant and i have been seen much less than in my last pregnancy, they reckon maybe 7 visits in total unless there's a problem. i have ten visits on my plan (and scans at 12 and 20 weeks), i had a baby 9 years ago. some of mine are with the consultant because of problems in my first pregnancy.

12 weeks booking appointment (at home),
14 weeks blood tests (for anaemia, blood group, HIV, etc. etc.,
16 weeks consultant (blood taken for triple test at this time if required, heartbeat listened to for first time),
24 weeks (tummy/height of fundus measurements start from now)
28 weeks (more blood taken)
31 weeks
34 weeks
36 weeks
38 weeks
40 weeks

you can ask to be seen at any point, and more appointments come up if required. you can be monitored at hospital if problems are suspected, this often leads to extra consultant appointments and more scans. they seem to be much more laid back than last time. i've seen my GP when i've had hyperemesis (too much vomiting) and also for water infections. i've had some hospital stays (sent up there by GP) and extra scans, consultant appointments etc. but the plan above is the initial plan made by the midwife when she did the booking in. extra appointments are made when necessary and monitoring can be carried out at any time your friend is worried by pain, lack of movement, any bleeding etc. so she doesn't have to stick rigidly to the plan the midwives have given her - it's for routine checkups if nothing is wrong, if she suspects a problem she can get a checkup straight away. tell her to try not to worry, 4 weekly checkups is fine for straightforward pregnancies, and problems are dealt with if they arise.