"Stressful experience in the Assessment Unit"

Pregnant 38 weeks!

Headache, vision issues and more symptoms. We are now nearly a week on. After trying to cope with paracetamol at home called FMAU. Due to symptoms including chest pain (MSK now confirmed) I was sent to A&E for investigation then sent up to FMAU  - I  was in from 11:00 am to 7:00pm between the two departments. 

Returned the next day for more blood results. Was told at 2:45pm I was being admitted and the plan was pain relief and more tests. Couldn't fault how they were really trying to get to the bottom of the whole thing. I was became more and more distressed due to noise and light sensitivity even after the paracetamol IV. 

FMAU was becoming very overwhelmed at this stage it was after 7:00 pm & I was  still sitting in FMAU. At this point I had told my story to two different doctors. Feeling like I was back at square one I hadn't a clue what was going on. I hadn't been offered even a glass of water and I sent my next of kin home. 

One lady was on a trolley in labour waiting to be taken round to the labour ward. Another lady in labour getting gas and air sounding very distressed due to her pains - this is simply not good enough. They deserved privacy not sitting in a ward full of other people in discomfort. The buzzer for the door constantly going and staff chasing their tails unable to cope due to trying to find beds. Relaying on students to try and fill the gap of an already stretched service. 

So after 8 hours I was finally given a bed to "Rest" in a bay with mums & babies. Being told my CT scan will be at 4:00 am. Well I think I would sleep better in a children's soft play area. Everyone is being thrown in wherever they can go. 

Not enough staff, not enough beds, not enough space

I am glad this will be my last child as I wouldn't want to go through all this again. As I fear this will only get more severe and with there only being one place to give birth in this trust now. You might get better facilities in a vets.