"Do not go is pregnant"

I recently went for my 24 week check-up and was disappointed by the service I received. This is my first child so I'm not sure what was supposed to happen but upon speak with other mothers and midwives I am disappointed by the poor service I got at this surgery.

Firstly he did not perform any urine checks and he didn't measure me, which I have been told is standard practice at this appointment: I asked an he just felt my stomach and said if I didn't have urine sample on me (I wasn't asked to bring one) then not to bother. All he did was use a doppler (the first of which was broken) to check the babies heart was beating and check my blood pressure.

Then when I asked about post pregnancy midwife appointments he told me that as I'm giving birth outside the borough I won't get any appointments from a midwife. I pressed him as I am having to have a c-section and this is my first child so I was worried about just being discharged from the hospital and then not seeing anyone and he just said 'well you come in and see us at your six week standard appointment' I found this extremely distressing as the thought of being left alone with no support with a new born and post-surgery was upsetting to say the least. He just said thats the way it is in Lewisham Borough and left it at that. I subsequently spoken to the community midwives who were very supportive and said the

GP was entirely wrong and that they would of course visit and new mothers in the borough regardless of where they gave birth.

As a result of this appointment and the lack of female doctors I have felt I have no option than to find another GP. This is a shame as the reception staff have always been very friendly and accomodating, finding appointments when I need it. Additionally the GP I saw at the extended access at Lewisham Hospital was incredible, its just a shame I can't book appointments with her. If you are a new or expectant mother my advise would be to avoid this practice and find somewhere else.