"Overall care fine, but definitely room for improvement"

I had my son via elective C-section recently. Upon arriving to Freya ward at 1130am and being shown my bedspace, it took around an hour to be seen by anyone to explain what was happening. My midwife did apologise that it had taken so long and she explained that the drs had to decide who was going down to theatre first as it was a busier than normal elective section list. Around 4pm I was informed to get ready as it was time for me to head to theatre.

The theatre staff were lovely and explained everything to me, ensuring I was comfortable - however, it wasn't until then that I was informed that paed drs had been called to attend my delivery to see over my baby before I could have skin to skin. I knew once my son had been born he needed paeds to see him but it was never the plan for him to be checked immediately at birth. I agreed that they could should this be necessary.

Once the paed team had checked him over, who also said, they didn't know why they were called to this delivery, the baby was healthy, I was able to have skin to skin. My baby immediately was rooting but at no point did anyone support me in trying to place him to my breast. When I was taken into theatre recovery and was sat more upright, I attempted to place my son to my breast. I asked the theatre recovery nurse where my midwife was but she wasn't sure. My midwife eventually turned up and said she had to go upstairs for something. I asked her what his weight was and she said, she hadn't done this yet. Once she weighed him, I again had to ask for his weight. She gave him his Vit K jab with permission and eventually did help me put him onto the breast.

Whilst in recovery I developed some itching but my recovery nurse said she did not have access to the medication as it was now all online and she wasn't able to view my prescription. My midwife was informed and said she'd sort this for me.

When we arrived back onto Freya, my midwife had again disappeared. I then asked a support worker when she was completing my obs if she could remind my midwife about the anti histamine for my itching. My midwife eventually came with the medication and left again.

At no point did my midwife or any member of staff offer me a cup of tea or toast post birth. We had then overheard a different midwife tell their patient that there was a room round the corner from our bay where we could make tea/toast. My partner then went and made me a cup of tea, then left the hospital to get us both something decent to eat as I had been on clear fluids since 6am.

I never saw my midwife again after she gave me my antihistamine.

The staff on the night shift were more present and did offer support with breast feeding. My partner left at 2200 as we have another child at home so couldn't stay overnight to support me. Again no one offered me any food or hot drinks. I was post c section with a catheter insitu till it was removed at 6am. I had my water bottle filled up once throughout the night as I had ran out and asked.

In the morning, I was greeted by a lovely midwife who checked on me multiple times and ensured I was happy with breastfeeding and pain was controlled etc.

My overall care was fine, however there is definitely room for improvement on basic nursing care. I am a staff nurse myself and would like to think these are our core basics and should be offered to our patients. If we are unable to offer the basics such as a refreshment or food post op, then direction as to where we can get these are needed. I could have asked for a cup of tea or some toast, however I do feel like I was seen by mutliple staff and not one member offered me either.

The first meal I was given by the ward was at 1230pm the day after, that a housekeeper had taken my order for that morning.

I had my son at YDH in 2020 during covid and felt like the care I received was more attentive even with all the madness of covid going on. I hope these comments will be taken on board.