"Training needed for maternity staff"

I had a few issues while being induced for my first baby which I feel need to be addressed to make staff aware and get the training needed.

I had a pessary put in early in the morning and was lying on top of my bed after it, as need to wait half an hour before getting up. I didn’t have anything on my bottom half other than a small towel across me for modesty. The curtains were pulled over. The domestic first proceeded to just come in to clean around my bed. Never to ask if it was OK to come in first before entering. I was slightly annoyed but it wasn’t an issue as I would’ve let them in anyway. The domestic then proceeded to come back in and dust over my head where I was lying, which I thought anything could’ve fell on my head and I’m pretty sure it could’ve waited half an hour.

However, the part that bothered me the most was this time the domestic went straight out and left the curtain open where I’m in a 4-bedded ward, and I then had to get up with nothing on but this towel and try to hold this towel and pull a curtain over with other patients and their partners in the room. The bed next to me actually had a new couple arrive at this moment I had to shut the curtain. I was really not happy with this, as know that dignity is one of the first things drummed in to all members of staff when starting. This seems to me like someone who has maybe worked there for a long time and became a bit more relaxed with that, to the point that they don’t even bother.

I did find the domestic's attitude terrible, specifically with me for some reason, as I hadn’t done anything to this person and didn’t know them beforehand. I also had an incident where I had went for a shower that morning and heard them say to their colleague very loudly that they had to go back in and clean the bathroom because I had been for a shower and brushed my teeth! This seemed to be aimed specifically at me. Now, I can assure you I never left any mess in that bathroom other than it being wet, and is that not what a bathroom is for?

I had been there for 4 days by this point, so whether it was because I was there for so long that it was directed at me I don’t know. As i said, they've maybe worked there for that long that they don't bother now, but I don't think it’s acceptable and should be made aware that it’s not OK and how it made me feel.

The other issue I had that really upset me while there happened after having my 4th pessary that morning and due to the codeine I had for pain relief I became constipated. After trying other things it was recommended I have an enema. Unfortunately, a major incident happened in labour ward that day which took all the doctors to there, so as a result I ended up waiting 6 and a half hours before someone could sign for this enema to be given. Surely that should be looked at for one of the midwives to be able to do as that was a long time to wait in pain and discomfort. I understand that it was unusual circumstances, however having someone else be able to sign off on it would’ve been beneficial. They’re able to give morphine etc, so why not an enema?

However, that’s not the worst part regarding the enema situation. It eventually got signed off for me to get and was given the enema by one of the midwives, but they don’t administer it?! So I was expected as a 39-week pregnant woman to lie on my side and insert it myself! It was impossible to do and not only that but once again I was in a 4-bedded ward with other partners there and would need to do the dash across the room to the bathroom and hope no one else was in at the time.

As a result, I had to go to the big bathroom along the corridor and lie on the floor and ask my partner to give me the enema. I cannot express to you how upsetting this was. I broke my heart like I’ve never broke my heart before to have to have your partner do something like this. Now as far as I’m aware, there’s risks with giving enemas and probably why they need signed off and is why staff have training on giving them. This is probably why the midwives don’t do them, as they haven’t had the training, but patients are expected to give them theirselves?!

As I said, this was devastating for me and that’s coming from someone who has worked in the care industry and currently works for the NHS, so has a bit more confidence around intimate things. However, imagine if that had been a young 18-year-old girl who might’ve been on her own or a partner that wouldn’t do something like that. I don't think that’s right! I badly needed the enema, as was so uncomfortable, and it also held up the pessary process as I couldn’t get examined.

This is not to flag up a specific member of staff, but there is clearly training needed to have the midwives able to administer the enema for patients as I’m sure I’m not the first nor the last to get constipated.

These were the main issues I had that contributed to a very emotionally stressful experience for my first time giving birth. I don’t fault the midwives at all, but I did not have a nice experience of the whole thing and glad that it’s over.