"Bad Midwife Experience"

My pregnancy has been mainly positive with minimal issues arising and my usual community midwife has been amazing throughout.

At my 38-week appointment I had a cover midwife. During this appointment there was minimal conversation to ease me into my appointment and no introduction, even though I had not seen this midwife my whole pregnancy.

I was asked to go onto the bed as normal so that the midwife could check the heartbeat and fundal height. Whilst the midwife was carrying out the heartbeat check it came apparent they could not locate the heartbeat. The way this was handled was not professional, in my view.

Due to it being hard to locate the heartbeat, the midwife was applying far too much pressure on my stomach that I was beginning to feel faint. I made them aware of this and asked for some water. The water was provided and the midwife went straight back on to applying pressure onto my stomach.

I was finally advised that they could not find the heartbeat so I would need to visit triage for a second opinion and for a scan as they also felt the baby was breech. The midwife called triage ahead to make them aware I would be on my way.

I advised I would pop home first as my partner works from home, to  which the midwife responded I should go straight there. I was in no position to drive, having almost fainted, thinking of the worst situation that my baby has no heartbeat and I’m in a panic. I felt I had to make the 30 minute journey alone, but with tears I turned around and went home, which was no more than a 5 minute detour.

Triage were amazing, they found the heartbeat within minutes of arriving and completed all of the regular checks to ensure everything else was OK. I went back later in the day for the scan and had it confirmed that baby was not in the breech position and was still remaining head down.

I understand sometimes there may be issues and a second opinion may be required, but this experience left me feeling deflated and anxious for a few days. The midwife appeared to be panicked throughout the appointment and showed no empathy - a really horrible experience.