"When I think about the experience I had I feel so very sad"

I feel compelled to write about the maternity care at Ninewells Hospital (Ward 38).

My first planned C section in 2022 went well and overall I felt it was a great experience, despite some staffing shortages.

I recently went into Ninewells for the birth of my second child. I can honestly say I have never had a worse care experience.

The C section itself felt a little disorganised, with no clear explanation of when it would take place and many student midwives on shift. It felt like there was a lack of experience and confidence (apart from the surgeon and lead anaesthetist). For example the theatre nurse had to be shown how to raise my vein, and there was a transcription error of my CHI number on my band.

My baby had to go to the SCBU (who were all absolutely amazing) and I was unable to see him, the midwives/student midwifes in recovery were not reassuring or showed any empathy to how I was feeling.

I then had to go back to theatre in the afternoon as an emergency due to a bleed. We were in Ninewells for 3 days, with a return the following week due to my high blood pressure.

Main Care Issues:

1. Lack of rest/sleep

Fundamental to a new mum, the midwives were not sympathetic to the time of night, slow to switch lights off, chat amongst themselves. I was moved ward at 2am after seeing my baby in SCBU at 11pm. The following night we were moved to transitional care unit at 11pm, which isn't conducive to rest. 

Other patients were keen on using speaker phone at all times, which was never mentioned by the midwives. I eventually had to ask other patients if they could be more quiet.

The fundamentals of recovery are to allow rest, and this is one of the main issues in the ward. It would be good if noise could be kept to a minimum and checks banded together to minimise the times disrupted.

2. Lack of nutrition

I can only presume that budget cuts have resulted in the poor nutrition available. As a new mum nutrition is vital, however breakfast was one roll with a cup of tea, another day two Weetabix in milk. No fruit/yoghurt/fruit juice ever provided, I overheard another patient saying she had only two portions of toast that day. Water was also a bit hit or miss.

3. Discrepancies with medication

There was an uncertainty whether I'd had my blood pressure medication at one point, as it wasn't documented on my chart.

The following day a midwife tried to give me an antibiotic that had been prescribed for 24 hours only, and stopped the previous day. I pointed out that I wasn't to receive the antibiotic that day.

In 2022 during the birth of my first child the ward were trialling a self administration of pain relief, which was much better, as pain relief was often delayed or had to be asked for during this visit.

4. Difficulties of being in the ward and visiting SCBU. 

This must be a daily occurrence, but as I was with my little boy I missed my pain relief and lunch, even although the midwives were chatting and sitting down in the ward and could have brought it to me. Since SCBU isn't that far away from the ward, it would have been helpful if medication/food could be brought. When my husband asked about this he was told that it wasn't possible to bring pain relief, and that lunch had been an hour ago...

Surely having a facility where recovering mothers could have a bed nearer to their SCBU babies, or more combined care between the two wards would make the situation so much better for mothers and babies. I felt torn between trying to recover and being with my baby.

All in all, I feel that the experience (plus having the misfortune of having to return post discharge) completely ruined the start of my relationship with my baby. I felt unable to continue trying to breast feed him due to my exhaustion due to lack of sleep, and when I think about the experience I had I feel so very sad.

Some staff are amazing and obviously everyone within the ward is trying their best, however the care standard I experienced was far below what a new mum should have to endure (and endure is the correct word). Having to constantly advocate for yourself and your baby is absolutely exhausting.