"More consistency needed"

My daughter has had her first baby. She had a failed induction and the Keillands RF delivery.

She spent some time on the post natal ward and is post partum.

What I feel is missing is very basic midwifery care.

I feel it doesn’t matter if you’re a first time mum age 13, or an older lady birthing her 4th child. All woman should be treated equally.

There has been no consistency in her care on the post natal ward. We have heard staff being abrupt with other relatives.

I understand the ward has a quick turn around of admissions and discharges, however, if staff took the time to share ward etiquette with ladies and their birth partners and relatives, perhaps it would be less chaotic. 

My daughter has not asked questions and has waited until I have visited to ask me.

She shared she has attempted to ask or felt not listened to.

One night when she asked if there was a quiet place she could breast feed her baby, she was told, in front of me, that this is a hospital. I was shocked and we were both upset. UNICEF and the Scottish Government promote breast feeding and for a first time mum to be treated like this is awful. 

Another time, I was going to stay with her baby while her and her husband had lunch together. It was lunchtime and we knew relatives were not allowed in. As I had been allowed to stay before, and I was her birthing partner with her husband, this hadn’t been an issue. this time it was. 

Please, I understands the pressures on midwife’s and the NHS in general. I have recently retired from working in healthcare and have friends in midwifery care. What would be helpful is listening and caring and treating all woman equally. 

Consistency with care.

All staff sharing the same values. 

I am saddened that my daughter’s first experience has been like this, and for her husband too.

I am hoping that there will be a review of my daughters care; failed induction, KRF delivery, baby in NNU and this will also include how her post natal care could have been improved. 

Being a mum for the first time is a scary experience, you only know what you know.

On the postnatal ward, no one has offered her the opportunity to talk about the labour and birth of her baby. She’s breast feeding and there has been no mention of infant feeding advisors to support her. 

I am hoping that this will the points I’ve raised Will be considered.

I again understand the current pressures on midwifery and I’m hoping by sharing my thoughts it will prevent further mum’s from not feeling valued, heard and understood.