Kings aftercare

[verds]

Wise people of the forum...

My friend had her baby at Kings on Weds. The next day she was expecting a midwife visit, but no one turned up and when she rang they said she wasn't in their area as she lives in Crystal Palace. Since then she's tried Croydon, Bromley and finally Beckenham. Unfortunately they didn't visit her today but said they will tomorrow.

Has anyone had a similar experience or know of anywhere she can call to get emergency help with feeding, as she's finding it hard?

Thanks!

[sillywoman]

OMGoodness verds, your poor friend! Umm, Crystal Palace is a tricky one - depending on where she is she might find she's under Lewisham Midwives? The best thing for her would be to telephone her GP and ask them to tell her which community midwives should be visiting her - they may even have one attached to the surgery. It might be better if someone could do it for her, & be a bit dogged about it (a new Mum is more easily fobbed off due to hormones that might make her a bit more compliant than usual, plus the distractions of a new baby).

If she's struggling with feeding then the NCT feeding line can be helpful (sometimes)http://www.nct.org.uk/contact-us, or if she's willing to pay, then a lactation consultant might be the way forward (they'll come to your home & sit with you). They're discussed on this thread http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,691449,692042#msg-692042 - personally I've heard really good things about Katie Hall & Jill Dye. Also there's a private midwife who teaches antenatal classes in ED & is just lovely http://www.sofiejacobs.com/ - she might be able to help?

I hope she gets her midwives & fingers crossed for some good feeding support for her too.

SW

[mima08]

Oh your poor friend, what a horrible situation for a new mum to be passed around! I hope the midwife /HV aftercare is sorted quickly - if she is looking for help on breastfeeding and can travel to ED, there is a BF cafe at the Townley RD Clinic - I found them very helpful! Details from the Southwark website:

>> Monday (except public holidays)

Dulwich Breastfeeding Caf?

Townley Road Clinic

121 Townley Road, London, SE22 8SW

10.00am to 12.00 noon

For further details contact: 020 3049 7470 / 020 3049 8838

Wishing her good luck!

mx

[minder]

I would agree with Sillywoman and phone your own GP. Don't they have one attached to the surgery if she's in Crystal Palace? Wouldn't they have sorted this out before she went into hospital as CP is a long way from King's College Hospital.

Also getting to a clinic (Townley) isn't always an option if you've just given birth in King's and been discharged next day.

I hope your friend is coping ok over the weekend and can get some help from her doctor's surgery next week.

[verds]

Thanks for your replies! She finally had a midwife visit yesterday, and is up and running with feeding. I just popped round and there's a content-looking newborn. Awwww...