"Care Review: My Pregnancy and Birth Experiences"

In April 2022, during the third trimester of my first pregnancy, I had several challenging experiences that left me feeling unsupported and unsure about the care I was receiving. My concerns often weren’t taken seriously, and there was a lack of consistency and empathy from some of the medical staff. Here is a summary of my journey:

First Pregnancy (2022)

1.Inconsistent Advice and Care:

•At 38 weeks, I was told my iron levels were low and needed iron tablets, only for the midwife to later reverse this decision after reviewing new guidance. This back-and-forth left me uneasy about their knowledge.

•I was also told my baby was in an oblique position and might require a c-section. After rushing to the hospital and mentally preparing for surgery, I was informed he was head down and sent home.

2.Signs of Preeclampsia Missed:

•I experienced swelling, visual disturbances, and high blood pressure but wasn’t adequately monitored or taken seriously by triage. Despite frequent calls about my blood pressure, I was dismissed repeatedly, with my symptoms attributed to anxiety.

•At my 39-week appointment, my high blood pressure wasn’t rechecked, which should have been standard practice and it was put down to my own anxiety.

3.Labour and Delivery:

•I was eventually induced due to reduced movements and high blood pressure, but there were delays in transferring me to the labour ward despite being high-risk.

•My labour was complicated by severe preeclampsia, uncontrollable shaking, and a postpartum haemorrhage where I lost 2 litres of blood. I was rushed to surgery and told I might need a hysterectomy, which was incredibly distressing.

4.Postnatal Complications:

•I developed postpartum eclampsia shortly after being discharged. My blood pressure was dangerously high, and I had to be readmitted. This condition was something I had never been informed about during my antenatal care.

•The trauma from my experience left me physically and emotionally drained, and I required postnatal counselling to cope.

Second Pregnancy (2024)

1.Anxieties from Previous Trauma:

•After being told I would receive consistent, consultant-led care in future pregnancies, I was disappointed by the lack of follow-through. I saw registrars instead of the same consultant at first, which was triggering as I had to recount my traumatic experiences repeatedly.

•I was promised psychological support early in my pregnancy, but the midwife didn’t emphasise the long waiting time, delaying my access to this vital resource. I had to advocate for myself to receive the help I needed.

2.Lack of Continuity and Empathy:

•I saw multiple midwives throughout my second pregnancy, and some lacked the empathy and understanding I needed. This inconsistency increased my anxiety and made me feel unsupported.

Reflections and Suggestions:

Looking back, I feel my care during both pregnancies fell short in several ways:

•Inconsistent Information: Receiving conflicting advice made it hard to trust the care I was given.

•Dismissal of Concerns: My symptoms of preeclampsia and high blood pressure were not taken seriously, putting me and my baby at significant risk.

•Lack of Continuity: Seeing different midwives and doctors prevented me from feeling supported or properly understood.

•Postnatal Support: Little information was provided about postpartum complications like eclampsia, leaving me unprepared for what I experienced.

While some medical professionals went above and beyond to provide high-quality care, there were clear gaps that made my pregnancies unnecessarily stressful and traumatic. I hope future care prioritises better communication, continuity, and compassion for all mothers, especially those with a history of complications or trauma.