"Birth Story at Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital"

I had my daughter at the Royal Jubilee in January 2023. I was induced due to high blood pressure. The induction process was very smooth, I had a sweep followed by a balloon 2 days later. I was admitted to the delivery suite once the balloon fell out. My midwives were absolutely fantastic. I was really impressed by both the students professionalism and approach. I could not have asked for any more from all 4 of them. I ended up having an emergency c-section as the baby's heart rate was dropping on the hormone drip that I was given to help progress labour. 

The following day, I was admitted to E Ward where I stayed for 2 nights, and I can honestly say I have never had a worse experience in hospital than in this ward, which was really disappointing after having such a great experience in the delivery suite. I was really shocked that the fathers weren't allowed into the ward, only at visiting times (3hrs a day). Perhaps this has been changed going forward, but I felt completely abandoned going into a bay with my newborn, with a catheter still in from the section and still feeling numb from my epidural. The midwives on the nightshift during my stay were very insensitive. I was never asked once how I was, and felt really judged when I was asking for a bit of help. Being my first baby, I didn't know how these wards operate. I assumed they may have taken the baby for a couple of hours to let you get some sleep, but I was met with laughter when I asked. At 1am a support worker took some pity on me and took my daughter for a few hours to let me get some sleep, thank god for her. I wouldn't have been able to sleep if she didn't. I cried myself to sleep that night after everything that happened from the long labour, c-section and general treatment in E Ward. 

The midwife who came on the following day was just fantastic. I think they could tell I was stressed and offered so much advice and help when they could. They even offered to look after the baby for an hour during visiting hours so I could go for some fresh air, which I was so grateful for. The same nightshift was on the following night who provided the same treatment, done their rounds and went back to their bay. 

Overall, the feeling of E Ward was terrible. Visitors being shouted at to leave when visiting hours were done and a general insensitive and in compassionate approach to the mums. The ward was clearly very under staffed which is likely part of the problem. From what I have been told, if you can get a spot in Johnston House you are much better on in terms of the post care experience you have. When I was discharged I had infections in my wound. I personally put a lot of this down to the stress my body went through over those few days. Mum's are told to rest up, try not to over too much after your c-section, but here's your newborn to look after by yourself all day and all night, without even the dad's help for a few more hours a day. I was also really disappointed when my community midwives had told me that other Hospitals let's dad's in for longer during the day - I don't understand why there is such a difference. Id imagine COVID will be the answer as usual, but I don't understand the different policies in the same environment.