"I honestly feel like I was totally disregarded"

I felt really let down with many aspects of care in this ward. I was told to come in and left in an assessment ward for a very long time whilst in labour. During this time a woman opposite me was left to nearly give birth. This was in a room with roughly four-six  cubicles, a trolley type  bed with curtains around and a waiting room not even meters away which was full of random visitors listening.

Once eventually transferred to the labour ward I was then told the ward had closed. I only had one ask in my notes- to have an epidural. As expected there was no anaesthetist so I couldn’t have one. I honestly feel like I was totally disregarded at the expense of everyone else here as I wasn’t screaming and swearing. 

The midwife helping me and the two who came in afterwards were just lovely. Within two hours however I was transferred to a postnatal ward and my partner went home. There was no space whatsoever, one toilet for four women and no visible shower facilities. My baby had to have blood taken again as they lost the first sample they took. I was practically ignored all day and unsure why we were left waiting around. Partners were allowed on the ward all day and one in particular was being very loud and noisy - when my own parents wanted to pop in for 5 minutes at 9.30 they were initially refused. 

The only toilet available I had to wait to use several times as there were men using it.

I discharged myself at 5pm after having no rest due to noise, bin lids banging constantly and bright lights. 

If I were to come again I’d just go to the birth centre- it was empty when we went for an assessment at 4.30 and if I can’t even access the pain relief I wanted in LDRP there seems little point in putting up with the many negatives of having to be in there afterwards. I honestly feel that men would not be expected to endure these conditions.