Midwife appointments

I think it depends on where you are and what the staffing situation in that particular area - I’ve had 2 pregnancies in 2 different areas and this wasn’t the case x

I don’t think any of my appointments have ever been on time for my last pregnancy and this one. I’m actually surprised if I get called within 15mins of the booked time. Though I’m in London and you never see the same midwife and they are stretched and only takes a few people being late before you to domino. Afternoon is by far the worst, have waited over an hour before. One of my scans was almost 90mins after the booked time. It is frustrating but I’ve just come to accept it but also never risk being late just in case and don’t want be told they won’t have time.

Yeah mine are always late and I'm yet to see the same midwife twice so frustrating is an understatement

15 minutes late would be a miracle in my surgery. Every single appt I’ve had in this pregnancy and my last has been at least 45 mins late. The midwives told me the surgery only gives them 15 mins per appt and it’s not enough xx

I don’t think mine have been mega late, however I will say I’ve never ever felt rushed by the midwife and have had time and space to share my questions and feelings. Which has possibly then meant the next appointment has run late? This is just my experience (also London so a bit of a flurry of different midwives). My mantra is to not let it stress me out and scroll or read until it’s my turn, but I absolutely do understand how frustrating it can be especially if you’ve somewhere to be!

I really feel for them. They get 20 minute appointments to do all the necessary checks, check in with the mum to be, and actually treat their patients like humans. It's no wonder they're late! I've just come to accept it, and I never arrive until the appointment is meant to start. As frustrating as it is, this is the outcome of an underfunded health care system 🤷🏼‍♀️

Imagine a scenario along the lines of this... Let's say they get 20 minutes per person. Second person in the morning is late by 10 minutes. That's 10 minutes late on each appointment. Next person is struggling with their mental health so the midwife is there to listen and give her advice and tell her more on where to get more support etc. Next person's BP is high so she's trying to ring triage to make sure she should go in, before sending her to the hospital. They're not answering the phone. That takes extra 5 minutes. Next appointment, midwife is struggling to locate babies heart beat so that's taking extra time. Do you see where I'm going with this? I do get there are also some that just chat and chat and don't work properly but not always the case x

My midwife appts have run late more than they’ve run on time but I understand the midwife never knows what she’s going to be faced with during that appt - a mother who’s just disclosed domestic abuse, difficultly tracing babies heartbeat, an anxious mother with a billion questions… if they could have an hour with each patient they would. But unfortunately it doesn’t work like that. I’m just grateful I’ll get to see my midwife and if they’re on time then that’s a bonus. They’re doing the best they can with the time they’re allowed.

Only being 15mins late sounds dreamy tbh