"Poor care on Ward 11"

I was admitted to Ward 11, SJH at the end of November for induction of labour for post dates and reduced foetal movements for my first baby. I had good antenatal care up until this point. Earlier in the week I was told I was 1cm dilated with a favourable cervix and would be getting a balloon induction. When I was assessed for induction I was told my cervix was unfavorable and that I would be getting propess instead. Following insertion (incredibly painful) at 11pm my husband was sent home and I was told it would take 12-24 hrs for it to work. 

Soon after I started having strong cramps and pelvic pain. I let the midwife know but they dismissed these and said it was normal. I asked for hot water for my hot water bottle but was denied this. At 0130 my contractions became so strong and so frequent I requested pain relief- I was given paracetamol and dihydrocodeine at this point.

At 3am my contractions were 1 minute apart lasting 90 seconds and I could not bear the pain any longer. I requested stronger pain relief but was denied this as there was nothing else they could give me on the antenatal ward, and told me once again this was normal and I was not in labour. They offered a bath which I agreed too. I walked down the corridor and got into the bath which offered temporary relief. I was left alone in the bathroom and I felt my contractions become more frequent (less than 1 minute apart) and more intense lasting almost 2 minutes each time.

I kept buzzing and requesting stronger pain relief but I was told there was nothing else I could get as I had already had paracetamol / dihydrocodeine and I was not in labour. I was then left alone for a full hour, in the bathtub. I felt myself getting more and more dizzy, dehydrated and was screaming in pain at this point. I got myself out of the bath and walked myself half naked whilst having 1 minute apart contractions down the long corridor back to my bed.

In the bed I kept buzzing and at this point I informed them that I was in labour and I needed to be moved to the labour ward, I needed stronger pain relief- gas and air/ morphine/ epidural/ anything. It was at this point I had CTG put back on and my midwife examined me. They informed me that I was 4cm and that the baby was having frequent decelerations, and to turn to my left. They informed me I was not in labour (I was confused- i informed them I was as I was 4cm) and that I should turn to my left. At this point I started vomiting out of pain and vomiting 5 times. Whilst vomiting I also wet the bed. I felt so undignified and did not feel listened too. I could not tolerate the pain and was screaming through every contraction.

The midwife came back with IM cyclizine and kept telling me to breathe. When they gave me the IM cyclizine I became so dizzy and lightheaded I struggled to advocate for myself, I couldn't reach for the buzzer, I couldn't even see straight, my vision became blurry but I could still feel every contraction more intense. They told me they would take out my pessary but as they went to take it out they realised it was already out and left. 

As 6am approached I was able to find the strength to scream again and reach for the buzzer. I requested my husband to come so that he could advocate for me. they refused. I requested to be moved to the labour ward, they refused. They told me I was not in labour, they said I looked like I was coping with the pain much better (because screaming had stopped whilst given IM cyclizine) and that this was a normal side effect of the pessary.

I requested to be given stronger pain relief, they gave me more paracetamol and dihydrocodeine at this point which I knew would not touch my less than 1 minute apart contractions. From 6am to 830am I was left screaming in pain with no plan from the midwives, left to labour alone with less than 1 minute apart contractions lasting up >90 seconds. I knew I was in labour, I realised I was being hyperstimulated and I was worried about how my baby was coping as I was aware of her frequent decelerations yet I had no plan from the midwife. My husband was not allowed in, my midwife did not believe I was in labour, ignored my requests for stronger pain relief and I was left to scream through every contraction. 

At 0830 a new midwife walked me across the corridor through contractions to examine me. I was in so much pain from the contractions they could not tell if they were examining my cervix or something else. I was told to walk back across to my bed whilst they spoke to the labour ward who advised them to give me gas and air to allow a proper examination. They walked me back across the corridor, gave me gas and air and whilst examining me they broke my waters. What they had been examining minutes before was my bulging membranes which they had mistaken for cervix and they informed me I was 7cm dilated. It was only at this point I was finally believed that I was in labour, given pain relief (gas and air) and moved to labour ward. It was only at this point my husband was allowed in. 

I have had such appalling care on Ward 11.