mater midwifery program

[godders]

Good in theory but the midwife my partner and i were allocated "Julie" was shocking and that was only by telephone.

Missed 2 appointments with us due to being in birthing suites, understand this can't be helped but what about the others within the group?? Then when my partner calls up very vague as to who she was.

We are now waiting to be transferred out of this program into the mainstream

The final straw for us was when we needed to change the OB appoint as I will be in the middle of court at that time & this midwife then tried to change my partners mind about me being at this appt commenting "it's only an ob appt"....very hard to be involved in pregnancy and birth when the midwife is so narrow minded,......rant over

ps: Great forum:smiliedance:

[UmmInayah]

How far in your pregnancy are you?

[godders]

almost 19weeks....due 13th June.

Can't wait, loving my partners changing figure :)

[khaloodi]

Sorry to say this but nothing you say gives me the impression she is narrow minded. Maybe you can go into more detail. Maybe you have the wrong idea about exactly what the program does for you? You should clarify your expectations with Julie. Maybe open some dialogue with her?

Each midwife is allocated a number of patients, when your wife is giving birth, it's possible one of her other patients would like to speak with her. If it was me i'd rather she concentrate on the impending birth of my child.

It's your decision to exit the program, but you must realise that exiting the program does not bring any benefits. It's not like you're leaving the midwifery practice & going into something else. There is nothing else. You are now in the real world.

You have no midwife, no doctor. When you go into labour you're going straight into a birthing suit with unknown midwives, asking you to do things you've never discussed with them before. There's no trust, no rapport, no birth plan, and no post birth care.

With each nurse/midwife you're discussing your history over and over again... each midwife giving you conflicting views and opinions. If you have any special requirements... well... good luck.

Welcome to the real world... I hope you've made the right decision.

[godders]

Sorry to say this but nothing you say gives me the impression she is narrow minded. Maybe you can go into more detail. Maybe you have the wrong idea about exactly what the program does for you? You should clarify your expectations with Julie. Maybe open some dialogue with her?

Each midwife is allocated a number of patients, when your wife is giving birth, it's possible one of her other patients would like to speak with her. If it was me i'd rather she concentrate on the impending birth of my child.

It's your decision to exit the program, but you must realise that exiting the program does not bring any benefits. It's not like you're leaving the midwifery practice & going into something else. There is nothing else. You are now in the real world.

You have no midwife, no doctor. When you go into labour you're going straight into a birthing suit with unknown midwives, asking you to do things you've never discussed with them before. There's no trust, no rapport, no birth plan, and no post birth care.

With each nurse/midwife you're discussing your history over and over again... each midwife giving you conflicting views and opinions. If you have any special requirements... well... good luck.

Welcome to the real world... I hope you've made the right decision.

------

Indeed the midwifes are allocated xx amount of women to manage however the fact that there was no communication to the other midwives to ensure our appointments were met was pretty poor on her part.

You say "each midwife giving you conflicting views and opinions". Indeed they do as do Dr's and family & friends and it is just that, their opinion...not something that has to be taken to the letter.

It's much the same as you read this book & read that book and get different views, some good some bad.

I'm sure all will be fine, at the end of the day we weren't happy with the service so opted out of the program - much the same as you would change banks or service providers:laughing:

[khaloodi]

Except now you have no bank at all ;-)

All the best...

[megaminz]

I am with the Mater Midwifery group and cannot say enough good things about them.

I didn't have my first physical appointment with one til after 20 weeks, I just can't remember exactly when though.

I am now up to fortnightly visits but was monthly for a while. Our group is made up of about 8-10 preggy ladies with 4 midwives assigned to the group. We all meet together. We know all the midwifes in the group and its good as what if mine is on another birth?? Then another midwife steps in.

TBH you are in the midwifes group as you are low risk and dont really need the OBs appointment. All they do is confirm your low risk status and make same notes Middys do at each visit.

You may have not had the start you wanted but I think by leaving you are missing out o0n a wonderful service. I don't know anyone else who hasn't loved being in the group and I know a few people who have birthed through them now.

[UmmInayah]

I haven't ever birthed before without knowing my midwife as I was lucky enough to get into the midwifery program for my first and now my second.

I liked the idea of my midwife and the other midwives in my group knowing what my expectations were of labour (ie no epi, etc.)

Honestly, I think you are still in the early stages of pregnancy (19 weeks) and the group meetings they have are so beneficial. You learn so much more than you otherwise would on your own as other people bring up their concerns and topics you would never have thought of discussing.

Postpartum, the midwives visit you and talk to you on the phone upon request to help with breastfeeding and other issues in the first 4 weeks of your babies life. I feel this support is vital! And you definitely don't get help like that in any other public offering. I don't know what I would have done (having gone public), if I just had a midwife I didn't know come to my house a couple of weeks after I gave birth and do just routine checks and that's it, I'm on my own.

[megaminz]

going off topic here for a second but UmmInayah good luck for coming weeks!!! Not long for us now huh?

[UmmInayah]

I am with the Mater Midwifery group and cannot say enough good things about them.

I didn't have my first physical appointment with one til after 20 weeks, I just can't remember exactly when though.

I am now up to fortnightly visits but was monthly for a while. Our group is made up of about 8-10 preggy ladies with 4 midwives assigned to the group. We all meet together. We know all the midwifes in the group and its good as what if mine is on another birth?? Then another midwife steps in.

TBH you are in the midwifes group as you are low risk and dont really need the OBs appointment. All they do is confirm your low risk status and make same notes Middys do at each visit.

You may have not had the start you wanted but I think by leaving you are missing out o0n a wonderful service. I don't know anyone else who hasn't loved being in the group and I know a few people who have birthed through them now.

:iagree: I utterly totally agree with the above. You really realise when you go to the groups how wonderful the midwives really are and how supportive they are of you. You don't need an OB appointment.

[megaminz]

the group meetings they have are so beneficial. You learn so much more than you otherwise would on your own as other people bring up their concerns and topics you would never have thought of discussing.

ooh I agree here. I have been lucky and half our group has mums who have given birth before and they all have wonderful positive stories and attitudes about birth even when things haven't gone the way they wanted necessarily. Makes me really excited to go through it and not scared.

They also have great little tips they talk about in regards to routines and just general stuff you can only hear about from mums. Its also good to have other ladies in the same stages as you to talk to. We all go for coffee after our group and they are all so lovely when I nearly had a breakdown one day about not knowing how I was getting to hospy cause DH doesnt drive I had about 4 of them give me THEIR dh's numbers to get me there.

All the middies in my group have also given birth too so really know how to talk to us in a way that makes sense about our bodies. Unlike the midwife at the antenatal class I went to who obviously didn't have a clue

[UmmInayah]

going off topic here for a second but UmmInayah good luck for coming weeks!!! Not long for us now huh?

LOL! I know! So exciting. I can't wait :) Luckily my middie took holidays a couple of weeks ago so she will be available when I give birth!

Good luck with your birth as well!

[Seekrit]

Not everything works with every person :) Good on you for getting out of a situation you felt uncomfortable with and changing it instead of sticking around and resenting it.

[trin_007]

I have to agree with the other posters that the MPG is a fantastic opportunity.

My middie came to my house and spent 3 hours taking histories for my friend and I (we are due together so going through the MGP together). We have her mobile number so she is contactable 24/7 - if she is unexpectely unavailable, it gets answered by one of the other middies, whom as mentioned, we meet at our group checkups.

Does that mean that you will go private now, will you engage an independent midwife or are you happy to just take whoever is rostered on for your appts and when it comes time for the birth?

[3blue&1pink]

I had a bad experience with my local hospital and there midwifery program.

I was much happier after leaving the program and going private.

I am aware you are in that group because you are low risk, I birth my 10pound babies fine, I was the perfect candidate for the program but unfortunately the treatment from the midwives turned me away.

I didn't appreciate being yelled at because I said I had been to my Gp and he has listened to the babies heart. I didn't go to an app with that planned, I have just been seeing him for 5 years and he wanted to hear it so I let him.

Also when questioning the size of my bub that came up on an ultrasound I was called stupid and that I had nothing to worry about.

Not to mentioned the 4-5 calls a day I would receive off them.

Sadly my experience was not a good one. Which was a disappointment.

Guess its not for everyone.

[megaminz]

Mto3 I hope you complained about the service to your local medical ombudsmen or the equivalent.

No practioner should ever yell at you or call you stupid whether it be a midwife, OB or GP.

Many of us have asked our middy group about shared care with doctors and said if we want to we can, but that its not necessary its never been a big deal. They actually find it amusing too cause they said most Drs love whipping out the doppler and listening to baby even if you dont go for preg related issue. I know this is true cause I went for my carpal tunnel and teh old doc on duty had to have a listen :rolleyes:

What would they call you 4-5 times a day about?

Mine never call me except this week when they were just checking some details that I had asked them to follow up with an OB about. 4-5 calls a day sounds quite obsessive if you ask me!!!

[3blue&1pink]

No sadly I never reported it, I moved on to private.. and I was moving house at the time.. I just never had a chance.. time flew by and it was to late.

I was actually rather shaken up when she yelled and I have a very strong personality. I called my husband in tears and told him.. he just said thats not right.. then I called my mum and spoke to her.. after speaking to her I decided I was not comfortable to birth with her.. I would never be comfortable around her.. and then I decided to go private after having my first two public.


When it all started it was when I was around 26 weeks pregnant.. she called me one day and said I had missed an app and gave me this massive lecture on how dare I miss an app... All I could do was say sorry but I swear to this day I was never aware of the app.. she said they are all prebooked.. but she never told me when they were. So I missed one and she called 4 times that day really grumpy about it..

Then the following day (maybe 2-3 later) she called again to make sure I would never miss another app, She then asked over the phone how I was and asked questions about bubs.. thats when I mentioned the GP had listened this his heart and it sounded perfect.. her exact response was..

'How dare you go to a GP.. You are meant to be seeing me that is why you are apart of this program'

When down seeing the GP on another day for one of the kids...he wanted to feel my tummy.. I was 31 weeks at this time.. I was measuring 2-3 weeks in advance.. he said he would like to send me for a scan.. I agreed to it. I went to the scan and it revealed he was around 7pounds at that stage with a large head. I mentioned this to the midwife again on another call and was asking a few questions about the head etc.. she said 'Your just being stupid, you will be fine you have done this twice before'

It was then I told her I was not comfortable to continue under her care and I wish to change now. She was not happy at all, then she called back again and asked me for a booklet about breastfeeding back.. and accused me of having a book and DVD.. I did not have these.. for 4 days after I told her I no longer wanted to be apart of the program I received 3-4 calls a day asking for these books.. each time all I could tell her was if I had them I would return them but I think you are confused with someone else.

I then spoke to my GP again about this... and he was shocked as well but said he had heard one other bad report about this girl. He then said he would feel a lot better if I went to my OB.. Which I did then.

I haven't heard from them again but Oh my gosh I would never go to another program like that simply because of the way she was.. I had only seen her face to face once! Then she was like this on the phone:no:


But I know of a few other girls who have been through the same program at the same hospital and speak highly of it :confused:

I hope that makes sense .. sorry about the typos I have a grumpy boy on my lap.

[Briswegian]

I had both my kids through MM outreach service at coorparoo. This service was supposed to ensure that I got to know the midwives and that likely one of them would be at my birth. This didn't happen either time. Most of the midwives were nice but quite a few treated me like a moron and told me I must be eating too many takeaways or chicken with hormones as I was big for dates with my second child.....just silly comments without eliciting any history. Grrrrr.

Seems like the model has changed slightly now, but I have to say that I am going with the midwives again (but at the hospital) for my own convenience and because the good ones are good and if you have a problem they are good at calling the OB's straight away so you know that for serious issues, you're taken care of.

[Chrisgrace]

Hi there,
Just wondering if anybody can tell me whether through Mater Mothers Midwifery Group Practice you have access to water tubs/bath for pain relief throughout labour? I don't think they would offer waterbirth option but I have heard some midwives are trained in it. Are you able to stay in the tub until bub crowns?
Thanks,
Christine

[Briswegian]

I got a leaflet from the hospital saying that you can use the tub for pain relief but not for active birthing.....so according to the MMH info......no not at crowning stage.

[trin_007]

Yes the birth suites do have baths for use during labour. Its up to you whether you get out or not - although they don't approve it - they can't MAKE you move.

My DS2 was born in the bath in April with an MGP middie :)

[julietv8]

I went through the MGP with my last pregnancy and will be birthing with them again this time. I cannot recommend them highly enough :thumbsup:, Jo is the most wonderful compassionate midwife and I would have been happy to have any of the other midwives in the group attending my birth as well. I have never met Julie (is she new?) but Kerry, Mel and Jan are all very lovely and I would hate for someone to be turned off by your post. I'm sorry you have had a bad experience though, and I sincerely hope the birth of your baby happens as you plan. :)

[Chrisgrace]

Thanks so much for the info ladies! Fingers crossed that I'll get into the Birth Centre at RBWH, but if not the MGP sounds great!

[princesscinderalla]

WARNING!!! I had my first child under the Midwife program and i finally delivered after 4hrs of pushing - i thought it was fantastic until i began to pass POOH thru my vagina! I had developed a "fistula" which apparently is a tunnel between my rectum and my vagina - ALL BECAUSE OF MY DELIVERY!! I am currently seeking advice on suing the hospital and midwife for the disaster! BEWARE!!!

[julietv8]

Which midwife program did you go through princesscinderella? I'm sorry that you have suffered and I certainly think you deserve compensation, keep us up to date with how you go.

[oscarjessie]

OMG....so glad to hear some real feedback about the Mater program. I love my GP but was convinced to go through with the midwife care program when booking into the hospy at 14 wks because I was told my GP was not competent.

(This was not the actual midwifery practice - just the normal public midwife care)

Anyway....when we went to the 24 wk appt the midwife completely ignored my partner, asked me what his blood type was even though he was sitting right there and then when he answered she questioned him "are you sure" etc. Anyway she could hardly take blood pressure, could not determine where the baby was laying and miscalculated the babies heart rate. After that appt my partner hit the roof and we decided to go back to GP care.

I have had to go back to the hospital twice for my anti-d injections and both times they have been so rude to me and my partner - once when the midwife asked me if I had any questions - and I started asking a few she started shutting down her computer and mucking around with paperwork and did even give me eye contact.

It seems at every opportunity the midwifes want to rubbish the obs and GPs....and there seems to be this phrase "we have done the research" that keeps coming up as if that actual midwife has done the actual research. My partner who used to be a nurse almost starts laughing when he hears them say it. It was pretty funny particularly when one of them could not even explain why I needed the anti-d shot (even when we knew why).

I understand the value of a midwife and I hope to have a positive birthing experience with their help and support but the service and levels of care in the clinic are so average. For a profession trying to build credibility within the community they are definately going the wrong way about it.

My GP appointments are the complete opposite. He takes my BP, checks me for swelling etc (not just asks me if I have any), asks me about my general health/ feelings, gets my partner up next to the table so the GP can show him where bubs is laying -and they both have a good poke around, and actually counts the heart beat correctly. The appt takes about 15 - 20 minutes and we have a good chat, laugh and we both really look fwd to the appointments.

[UmmInayah]

I went through the MGP with my last pregnancy and will be birthing with them again this time. I cannot recommend them highly enough :thumbsup:, Jo is the most wonderful compassionate midwife and I would have been happy to have any of the other midwives in the group attending my birth as well. I have never met Julie (is she new?) but Kerry, Mel and Jan are all very lovely and I would hate for someone to be turned off by your post. I'm sorry you have had a bad experience though, and I sincerely hope the birth of your baby happens as you plan. :)

Julie was part of the Mt Gravatt practice, not the Cooparoo one. She has left for overseas now. But she is absolutely fantastic! Extremely supportive etc.

Kerry helped deliver my first bub. She was wonderful :) But Anne was my midwife for both my bubs. I love her. LOL

[kateh]

Hi, I am 12 weeks pregnant and have decided to look into a midwife run programme. We had a meeting with an obst last week and I wasn't happy with the attitude or response to some of my questions. He unfortunately matched all the bad stereotypes you hear about obst.

Can anyone tell me about private options at the Mater? I will call and ask them, but would appreciate any opinions. Is there a private MGP? Has anyone been through it? If not, what are the private options for midwifery??

Thanks a lot. Your comments on the forum are really helpful, though the negative ones make me worry. I wish there wasn't the conflict between obst and midwifes so we could get the best of both - I believe they both have a role to play.

Thanks for any info!! :)