"Mixed experience during admission, labour, delivery and recovery"

I recently gave birth in Antrim Area hospital. My experience during admission, labour, delivery and recovery was mixed.

The staff who admitted me and were with me through labour and delivery were amazing. They were caring and attentive and made what was a traumatic birth less traumatic. The day staff on the recovery ward were also brilliant. They made sure I was looked after and made me feel cared for. I felt confident in the care I was being provided.

However, my experience was vastly different when the shift changed and the night staff came on duty. I felt like as a first time mum who was recovering from a traumatic labour with complications that I was very much on my own.

I had an epidural, hadn’t stood up in approximately 36 hours and had a catheter. I buzzed for assistance because my baby needed fed and I couldn’t reach them. The midwife/nurse who came I felt had an attitude and made me feel like I was annoying them by asking for help. They got me out of bed to sit on the side as I couldn’t lift my child out of the crib from in bed. They then left me to stand on my own. I proceed to have an episode where I almost fainted and have never felt worse in my life. I thankfully managed to press for assistance and when they arrived they put me back in to bed.

I was in no fit state to look after my child that night alone without assistance but it was still expected. I understand that there are reduced numbers on in the evening but I was left feeling completely alone and like I was annoying them by asking for assistance with things like feeding. It really began to effect my mental health to the point where each morning my partner arrived I was reduced to tears of relief. One of the midwives on the day shift told me that they asked the night staff if they would help me during the night which they did but I feel like it should not have been required for the staff to ask other staff to offer assistance it should be care that is automatic. 

I was offered to stay another day in hospital but declined because of the thought of another night.

I then received care from home from the community midwives. Each midwife that visited was professional and caring. They offered me home visits rather than having to go in to the clinic which was very much appreciated as I didn’t feel fit to leave the house for over a week. However I had four different midwives visit and each time I had to tell them about my labour and any problems with me and baby and how I was feeling. It felt like there was no continuity. Continuity I feel is essential here in catching any issues with mum and baby particularly with regards to mental health. I felt comfortable enough discussing my physical health with each midwife but when it came to mental health it was less comfortable talking about this each time and repeating the same things. 

I also had to visit the DOU in Antrim a number of times pre-pregnancy and post birth. My experience in this unit was very positive. The staff were very reassuring, gave loads of really useful information which prepared me for labour and caring for myself afterwards.