"Lack of care and communication"

I was really not satisfied with the care I had by the maternity ward…

I went to my 34 week midwife appointment and told them I was leaking constantly and they rang triage and they told me to come in. The midwives at triage then decided to do an examination and made the mistake of me being 7cm dilated and being told I was in labour and not going home anytime sooner.  I was then rushed to the delivery suite and got attached to a drip and was being boosted with steroids and antibiotics to boost baby’s lungs as they were apparently not fully developed yet. I stayed down there for 2 days with my partner and because nothing was happening I was then examined again and was actually 3cm.

I got moved onto a bed on the Argyll Ward and stayed in there for 3 days and was not happy with care in there either. The midwives didn’t appear to believe anything you told them like if you was in pain or anything.

I was also upset with the lack of communication too. One midwife said I should’ve been going up to level 6 twice a week for reviews and for a plan on what’s happening next because I was walking around 3cm dilated but they didn’t tell me anything about it. I was told different things by different members of staff. I was told I was being induced when I was 7cm dilated, or in the next few days, or between 37-38 weeks.

I was then rushed up to triage on a Thursday evening and got moved to the delivery suite right away due to the tightening getting stronger and being 2 minutes apart (I was 38+5). I came in poorly and I got tested for COVID-19 and Flu because I was so ill and didn’t have the energy to move. I tested positive for flu but they didn’t seem bothered about my baby’s heart rate going up and then dropping constantly. I was being sick constantly and was really not well. I was then wheeled up to Argyll ward and the next day they decided to induce me the next day at 38+6.

3 hours after I gave birth, I was told to have a bath and then it felt like  I just got abandoned by the midwives. Left my partner in the room with our newborn.

I was really disappointed with the lack of care and communication. Especially because I’m so young too and really didn’t know what was happening. Just hope next time they improve their care.