Guest guest Posted June 2, 2000 Report Share Posted June 2, 2000 Had the following conversation when I phoned delivery suite at Watford General 2 weeks ago:- Me: (having contraction, not thinking straight) I'm in labour and I'd like to come in now, please. Midwife (rudely): Who are you? Me: (Thinks) - ooh, I don't like you. (Says) - name and hospital number. MW: Yes? Me: Yes what? MW: Yes, what is it you want? Me: I'm just phoning to let you know I'm coming in. MW: Are you having contractions? Me: (Thinks) - of course I'm having s...ing contractions. (Says) - yes. MW: How often? Me: I don't have regular contractions. This is my third baby. They're coming every two, three, five minutes but are lasting a minute or so each. MW: No, don't come in. Wait till you have regular contractions. Me: But I don't have regular contractions. MW: Have your waters broken? Me: No. They never do until I'm ready to push. MW: Wait till your waters break or you have regular contractions. Me: But I don't HAVE regular contractions! My waters only ever break on delivery suite! MW: (silence) Me: (trying desperately to be sensible whilst having contraction) Look, I'd like to come in please. If I'm examined and it's a false alarm, I'll come home. MW: Well, we can't STOP you coming in... Me: Righty-ho. I'm coming. However, I was so put off by this that I wasted 20 more minutes at home. When I got to hospital I was found to be 7 cm dilated and had my baby less than 2 hours later. If Watford want women to give birth in the car park this is the way to do it. Had this been my first baby I probably wouldn't have stood up to her and so made it to delivery suite. Is this sort of thing a regular occurrence? Should I complain? Are there any midwives out there with a view on this? Incidentally, another mum who phoned the following day was told 'Wait till you're desperate' Babs Membership Sec - Watford and district branch SAHM to Katharine (5) Ben (3) (2 weeks) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2000 Report Share Posted June 3, 2000 Babs (not happy with midwife's attitude!) said: > Should I complain? Are there any midwives out there with a view on this? > >Incidentally, another mum who phoned the following day was told 'Wait till you're desperate' : Hi Babs and welcome to the list - nice to see someone from Watford - I was born there - right next to the footy pitch (in the hospital ... not the stands). I have been talking to people here (Newbury) about the " dial a midwife " services and the overall opinion is that they are c**p. Here we are 25-90 mins drive from the various general hospitals we can opt for, so there are lots of wasted journeys and babies BBA - or literally in the carpark ( D's sister the other week). I think community midwives should be resourced to check on women in early labour (if that's what the woman wants). What happens elsewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2000 Report Share Posted June 3, 2000 Babs (not happy with midwife's attitude!) said: > Should I complain? Are there any midwives out there with a view on this? > >Incidentally, another mum who phoned the following day was told 'Wait till you're desperate' : Hi Babs and welcome to the list - nice to see someone from Watford - I was born there - right next to the footy pitch (in the hospital ... not the stands). I have been talking to people here (Newbury) about the " dial a midwife " services and the overall opinion is that they are c**p. Here we are 25-90 mins drive from the various general hospitals we can opt for, so there are lots of wasted journeys and babies BBA - or literally in the carpark ( D's sister the other week). I think community midwives should be resourced to check on women in early labour (if that's what the woman wants). What happens elsewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 3, 2000 Report Share Posted June 3, 2000 Babs (not happy with midwife's attitude!) said: > Should I complain? Are there any midwives out there with a view on this? > >Incidentally, another mum who phoned the following day was told 'Wait till you're desperate' : Hi Babs and welcome to the list - nice to see someone from Watford - I was born there - right next to the footy pitch (in the hospital ... not the stands). I have been talking to people here (Newbury) about the " dial a midwife " services and the overall opinion is that they are c**p. Here we are 25-90 mins drive from the various general hospitals we can opt for, so there are lots of wasted journeys and babies BBA - or literally in the carpark ( D's sister the other week). I think community midwives should be resourced to check on women in early labour (if that's what the woman wants). What happens elsewhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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