"Aberdeen Maternity Triage Midwife"

In November 2025, when I was 25wks+ 2 days pregnant, I phoned the maternity triage for advice about reduced fetal movements, as this is what my midwife had advised me to do if I ever noticed a change.

The person I spoke to on the phone was incredibly kind, supportive, and reassuring. She encouraged me to come in to be checked for peace of mind, which made me feel safe and cared for.

However, when I arrived at maternity triage, my experience with the midwife who saw me was extremely upsetting. Their attitude and comments made me feel belittled, embarrassed, and hesitant to seek help in the future. After leaving, I went home and burst into tears because of how I had been made to feel.

Some of the specific things that happened include:

•The midwife told me that the more I phone triage, the more likely I would be classed as a high-risk pregnancy, and that this could prevent me from having the birth I want, such as a water birth. 

•When I explained that I had reduced fetal movements ie I hadn’t felt that baby move in over an hour to an hour and a half, they said that at 25 weeks there is no pattern, even though I told them that my baby normally moves a lot at that time of night. I was told the baby was allowed to rest and sleep, which felt dismissive of the concern I had expressed.

•When I told them I was 25 weeks pregnant, they pulled a face, almost like a screwed-up expression, and basically laughed to themselves, which made me feel stupid for attending for reduced movements. 

•They told me that all they could do was listen to the baby’s heartbeat and make sure it was still alive, adding that there was nothing else they could do. This comment was deeply alarming, insensitive, and completely inappropriate.

Overall, I left the appointment feeling belittled, judged, and as though I had wasted their time, even though I followed the advice I had been given. This experience has affected my confidence in contacting triage again if I have concerns, which is dangerous during pregnancy. I should feel safe and supported when seeking help, not afraid to call.

I’m a medical professional, so I understand that people have their down days but the way I was treated by the midwife that day was horrific! Especially with this being my first baby, all I needed was a little reassurance that baby was ok and I left feeling 10x worse and wish I never came in.