"My experience with maternity services"

Despite some concerns overall with my care there were still exceptions and great postpartum care provided by midwifery staff and the surgical nurses in theatre were also wonderful.

I recently attended for my C-section, at this point I had been in early labour since 10pm the day before. On arrival we were greeted by friendly midwifery staff.

The doctor who was scheduled to carry out section entered my room with what I assume were two junior members of staff. I introduced the doctor to my husband and they stated they wouldn't recognise him as I'd brought so many different men to appointments. I was incredulous and my husband looked very angry.

The doctor proceeded to quiz me on complications of a section and stated they preferred the good old days when doctors only had to provide people with minimal information and patients didn't ask questions. Due to our previous conversations this felt like a very personal dig, I was very uncomfortable but felt unable to action any of this as this doctor was due to carry out surgery on me in a matter of hours.

During theatre my spinal took longer to work and also had worn off by the time we had reached the ward, to the point I could move one leg and feel my abdomen, this was excruciating. Staff on the ward were very helpful and contacted the anaesthetist, there was no debrief on why this had happened and nobody came to see me following this. The anaesthetist had according to staff advised paracetamol, which considering the nature of the surgery seems to be a poor attempt and supporting pain management. 

There was a red weather warning and police advice not to travel, and was informed they had forgotten to listen to baby at an appointment three days earlier, but they had not provided a midwife at antenatal appointment. They did not cancel this appointment, rather phoned and said it was up to me without providing alternative plans, also spoke to midwife the previous day and had offered to come through right then they stated they finished at 4:30. This advice to come in contradicts the FB page messaging. 

At my clinic appointment three days earlier I was not seen by a midwife. At this point I had only seen one consultant more than once. I mention the lack of continuity of care and that I have not seen the same person twice. No response was offered but perfectly pleasant team I engaged with at this time. When I asked for explanation of measurements, registrar reassured me it was my right to ask for this as it was my information.

At a previous clinic appointment, the consultant was very vague with their information sharing, stating only everything is all right, there was a lack of consideration or care given and very rushed appointment. Diabetic consultant encouraged me again to mute libre monitor due to hypoglycemic readings, unsure of purpose of monitor and continue on Metformin and humilin I insulin.

Seen by a midwife who stated amniotic fluid was still lower and I requested to be examined as nobody had listened to baby or felt position since community midwife appointment or triage. Midwife also told contradictory information to Dr and left feeling very confused and extremely anxious, midwife stated there was 2024 study from Sweden stating the risk of still birth in circumstance like mine would be high and stated they would send me information after appointment via email but did not. Called the consultant back in the afternoon for clarification and they partially explained pools measured across four quadrants, grateful for explanation but feel it would be more beneficial at time of appointment and when first mentioned.

At a clinic appointment, the consultant stated baby measuring well but appears to be dropping centile previously, told 85th centile and now appears to be on 50th centile line, and stated we needed to watch fluid around baby but did not elaborate further, appeared nonchalant and happy to continue with care plan. Again appointment felt rushed. Diabetic nurse in attendance again happy with care plan and I advised increased Humilin I from 8-10 as fasting BM higher. Continuing to hypo during the day.