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"Made me feel as though I was a problem"

About: Maternity care / Antenatal and Postnatal (Ward 38)

(as the patient),

My pregnancy journey wasn’t the easiest, I was classed as high risk with hyperemesis. During my pregnancy I was in and out of hospital with reduced movements, extreme pains and the list goes on. A particular midwife made what was supposed to be a magical experience a rather hard and daunting experience. The midwife would make nasty comments and I felt they treated me very horribly, all the while seeming to be very nice, helpful and supportive of other pregnant women. 

I would always call PRI first in hopes of going there because all the midwives are lovely, but finding out I had to go to Ninewells always put a pit in my stomach and making me not want to go because I didn't want to face this midwife, who I feel shamed me every time I went in. 

I went into slow back labour and was admitted into Ninewells, while in the antenatal clinic, the midwife told me to sit in one of the plastic chairs in the waiting room. I was in the waiting room getting more uncomfortable and hurting, going back and forth, explaining how uncomfortable I was and the midwife made me feel as though I was a problem, rolling their eyes even when I was crying and calling me dramatic. 

After the doctor came and said I was being admitted, the midwife took me and my partner down to the ward, forcing us to take the stairs, constantly calling me dramatic for wanting to take the lift because it was hurting too much to walk. During the 7 hours I spent in the ante-natal clinic I was not spoken to or asked if I needed anything even when visibly upset. 

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Responses

Response from Lee-Anne Abel, NHS Tayside 6 months ago
Lee-Anne Abel
NHS Tayside
Submitted on 27/10/2023 at 10:01
Published on Care Opinion at 10:01


Dear Blake 823

I am so sorry to read your experience of our maternity services. I can hear from your story that you didn't feel your care was kind and compassionate and I would like to understand this better so we can look into this on your behalf.

As care opinion is anonymous I cannot do this without some additional information. If you are happy to make direct contact with me to discuss this further I would really appreciate hearing your feedback so we can learn from your experience and feedback to those involved how you were made to feel.

I will communicate with staff today about your experience of feeling forced to use stairs and walk as the transfer of women should be supported and based on an individual assessment of need. It sounds like this may not have happened for you.

If you would like me to explore this further please send an email to: lee-anne.abel@nhs.scot.

Best Wishes,

Lee-Anne Abel, Senior Midwife

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