"Giving birth"

I had a planned induction week of my due date. The staff on Dacre Ward were beyond amazing. Phenomenal to be precise. Nothing was too much for them, which is what is needed when you're nervous about what's going to be happening. I was alone a lot of the time and they helped ease my worry whilst being on my own.

I ended up needing an emergency C-section as I was not progressing. The surgical team were amazing. Again, could not fault them. I was in recovery a while then was moved up to Gloucester.

I have never felt more alone or unsupported in my life. I was left alone with my baby. No support offered. Being a first-time mum after a C-section with no family by my side, when I was moved to the ward you would think help would have been given. No. Next day it was time to get up again. No help was given with this. Was just told when I wanted to go to the toilet to use the urine bowl so they could measure my output.

When I went to get up the pain was unimaginable and I hate to admit it, I had an accident. I pressed the call bell and when a staff member came they tutted and said they'd be back to clean the mess up. I was crying, needing reassurance and help, and this was never given or offered.

Also, a member of staff on the day shift would just pull the curtain back without announcing themself, quite a few times catching me in a state of undress, which was embarrassing for me. I appreciate they see women in all sorts of undress, but not every woman just wants to be walked in on when either getting changed or trying to pump. They never apologised once when seeing my reaction.

My baby had tongue tie, though I still wanted to try breastfeeding and pumping. I was provided a pump, which an hour later was taken from me to give to another mother and never returned until a family member went and spoke to the midwives. Then they came and brought a pump for me stating that they thought I had already seen the breastfeeding team. Er, no. I had no help with attempting to breastfeed, which you think would have been given considering they promote "breast is best."

The only help I had was from the night midwife in charge, who was so lovely and took time with me and actually spoke to me and not at me. They actually seemed to care. The same day, a senior member of staff made me feel as if I was a hindrance, as I was there longer than medically needed, and even said at one point that they needed to get me home as other mothers needed the bed. Like I wanted to be stuck there being treated the way I was.

My experience on this ward seriously let the whole maternity unit down, which is such a shame as the experience otherwise was amazing. I thought it would have been the same on Gloucester, or even better, considering this is when you really need the support.

My baby is my one and only chance of having this experience, never to be repeated. When I think back to what should have been the first few magical days of having my baby, it saddens me, as it has ruined what should have been a beautiful experience for myself.

I know the NHS is overworked and underfunded, but this didn't stop other areas of the hospital from doing an amazing job.