This week's Bump Club looks at midwifery care.
Bump Club members Lorna and Kay reflect on their experiences and relationships with their midwives.
Lorna Morley Medd
I know things have changed a lot since I had my first, six years ago, but in all honesty unless I look at my notes to see if it's on there I couldn't tell you what my midwife's name is. Seriously.
The community midwife I had last time gave me her name, a pager number, a mobile number, popped in to see me at home when I went into labour, even though she wasn't on shift, came to visit me in hospital afterwards, and also recognised that I needed over and above the 'normal' help, once we'd made it home.
This one I've seen twice, once at booking and once at 15 to 16 weeks, which is 10 or so weeks ago now. I know there are cuts, and I know that "it's like riding a bicycle", but with my personal history I'd have thought a little more contact would be available?
It's taken three weeks to get a copy of my MatB1 form, as I work the two days the midwife is in our surgery. They don't even take blood there, but send you to the local maternity unit.
As for labour, in my last pregnancy, after being attended at home by the on call midwife, who would be attending the home birth, I ended up being transferred, and made my way through three midwives before eventually having an emergency section.
Can I name any of them? Yes, the middle one. Who decided my waters hadn't actually broken nearly 36 hours before, decided to use the 'crochet hook' to break them, jabbing my son's head and leaving him born with marks that I can still see.
I have friends, who I met online through BabyCentre when pregnant for the first time, who are trained or trainee midwives and doulas and I turn to them for support when I need advice.
I really feel for first time mums now - although they will get more appointments than second/third/more timers, but unless more people go for home births the chances of continuity of care seem to be sliding from slim to none.
I am tempted to actually skip the remainder of my appointments - I have urine strips and a blood pressure monitor, so can test myself without having to take time off work and see someone who I don't have a connection with.
I probably won't do that, but if it leaves appointments for people without the support network it's tempting.
Bump Club member Kay Tart
I'm now 24 weeks into my pregnancy and have reached what lots of mums call "V Day" or viability day. From now on we know that our baby girl would have a good chance if she decided to arrive early, although of course we hope that she will stay tucked up for some considerable time yet.
I will soon be seeing my midwife again, at 28 weeks as well as having a growth scan. Luckily I have been able to see the same community midwife through all three of my pregnancies and this has meant I have built a good relationship with her.
I started with a different midwife during my first pregnancy but I didn't feel that I was receiving the right care and asked for a change - thankfully I started seeing my current midwife and she is really ideal for me - straightforward, supportive and genuinely interested in any concerns or questions I have and I know that she cares about me as an expectant mum as well as about our baby.
What are your experiences of health care while pregnant? Did you get the care you wanted from the NHS? Join in the discussion on Twitter using #bumpclub or go to the 5 live Facebook page.
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