"Felt like my whole day was ruined"

I recently delivered my daughter in ward 45 Altnegelvin. We were so blessed with our midwife Shauna, she was kind, welcoming and caring from the minute we walked in the door. I felt very safe knowing I was being cared for by this special woman. She was simply made for this job and went above and beyond all day to make sure myself and my husband were cared for.

The Doctor I saw however, is someone I don't understand why they would go into this role. they were rude, impatient, and had absolutely no bedside manner. When I explained why I would not want to have a C-section, they rolled there eyes and asked what the problem is, and that they do this every day. I felt like they was trying to rush our decision and make me and my husband feel like a burden and that we were taking up a bed. The Doctor was chewing gum the whole time they was talking to us and was rude and dismissive. I have encountered them several times during my pregnancy journey and every time their behaviour was the same.

Thankfully the night I delivered my daughter, someone else was on duty. they were so reasonable and always comes with alternatives to try rather than making you feel forced into a decision. They were very calm and gave my husband and I several options and took the time to sit beside me and explain rather than standing at the other side of the room as mentioned by the other Doctor.

My daughter was born very quickly after the first Doctor entered the room. Brenda had entered the room at this stage and delivered my daughter. She was the voice of authority I needed at that time as things had escalated so quickly. Brenda brought my mind back to focus and made sure my daughter was born safely. 

I feel my whole day was ruined by the bedside manner of the doctor. Their attitude to women in their most vulnerable form is something that I feel needs to change immediately. 

That being said - I really want to applaud the care I received from Shauna, Janine, Brenda. My midwife Shauna kept us feeling calm all day and that we were receiving the highest level of care. When things started to lose control it was Shauna I looked for in the room.