"maternity service is under too much strain"

I choose UCLH since i have a traumatic memory of losing a baby at the hospital nearer to me. My initial visit to UCLH in particular the very early pregnancy unit was fantastic. staff listened, informed me and took their time.

our first visit with the midwife felt very disorganised, albeit it took considerate time, not everything was fully communicated e.g. what to expect, process (which forms when e.g. maternity exemption form, MATB1), considerations due to my age.

When we had our 12 week scan it became clear that several pieces of 'clinical' information had been missing - e.g. types of tests, but the sonographer was great and filled in the gaps at the time.

My first real disappointment came when I experienced pain and was concerned. I dialled the maternity number written by my midwife on the booklet and it came up with "number did not exist", so I dialled the printed maternity helpline number, but found myself just listening to ringing with no-one answering it. I then dialled the generic hospital number to be put through to maternity services, and after 20 minutes of being passed around I spoke to a midwife, who was very short: simply stating that I should take paracetamol and if it gets worse to call again. I asked which number and she confirmed the printed number on the booklet - when I stated that I rang it earlier (for a very long time with no answer) she said that they were busy.

My point here is that UCLH should at least invest in a automated message saying: "you have come through to the maternity service, but all our staff is busy, please try at less busy time between bla bla" to re-assure that the number is working!. Not having the right number written down by the midwife initially and then not having any sign whether I was dialing the right number was highly anxiety causing for me.

I then had a glucose intolerance test for which I had to be early at UCLH. Being still in my first trimester I had a huge appetite and a healthy breakfast in the morning , only to find out that I should have been given a leaflet that I should have fasted from midnight. the appointment was re-scheduled, but I had a morning 'wasted' time. At the second glucose intolerance appointment, the staff was lovely and when I told her about my scare she told me about the emergency unit just next door and that I should go there to double-check. So I did - in the emergency unit I had to wait, but I was seen. we checked the baby's heart rate and it was fine. I was re-assured. The midwife there explained that I should have simply come to them rather than calling - no one told me about this before!

next midwife appointment - i had a different midwife, friendly, but she only had recently joined again and had to get used to the processes, computer etc. Not very trust evoking.

on my 20 week scan - i had an extremely rude sonographer, who pressed on my stomach extremely hard, whilst I could only see her elbow and not anything of the screen. and I was not allowed to move!