The birth centre has been recently refurbished. This is the only good thing about it.
My wife is 40 years old and our 3rd child was born very quickly. That's why when her water broke yesterday at 11: 00 pm I called and we went straight there.
The midwife examined my wife at around midnight and told us to go and walk about in the hospital for a couple of hours because it's too early. Fair enough. We went back at around 02: 00 am only to be told to come back in about an hour ( even though her water was broken and she was contracting).
We went back at 03: 15. The midwife examined her at around 04: 00 am.
They said that there was no opening at all, but they'll give us a small room and if nothing happens by 08: 00 am we will be sent back home, so we can come back at 20: 00 for induction.
The contractions started to get stronger though. I set up my wife for delivering the baby myself, cause no one was around.
At around 05: 10 I pressed the buzzer to call a midwife. The receptionist turned up and told us to wait 5 min or so. 5 min. later I pressed the buzzer again and the receptionist came again saying that the midwife is busy. I explained that the contractions are strong and she needs attention. They told me to wait and everything will be fine. At around 05: 20 I saw the baby's head coming out. At this point, I totally freaked out. I pressed the buzzer again and went out in the corridor shouting for help.
Eventually, 4 people turned up ( 2 midwives, 1 receptionist and ...) My wife was rushed into one of the 4 rooms to give birth. They made her stand up and swap beds.
The baby was born at 05: 37.
Everything happened so quick.
Thank God that baby and mum are fine and healthy.
The post care was terrible as well. Their shift finishes at 08: 00. They didn't change the bedding sheets, so my wife was left in a pool of blood.
I took all the sheets off and cleaned up so she can lay normally and relax. When the new shift midwives came eventually, they put new bedding sheets.
The old bloody sheets were left on the floor though. They were still there when we all left at around 11: 30 am
Terrible experience.
ps. I am extremely happy that I have a healthy baby and mum is fine, but at the same time still in shock of what happened today and extremely disappointed.
Visited in July 2017. Posted on 31 July 2017
"Shocked by treatment in birth centre"
About: Queen Elizabeth Hospital / Maternity Queen Elizabeth Hospital Maternity SE18 4QH
Posted by ThomasD (as ),
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