"Communication skills need improvements -…"

It was extremely painful walking from the car park to the Triage with contractions. So can you imagine how devastated I was by the unpleasant and rude service I encountered from the 3 nurses at the reception table of the Triage, especially since this was my first baby. They told me I was not in labour, despite having 3 contractions in 10 minutes?! They told me since my water broke the day before, I was now needed for induction (even though I was having contractions?!).

I was apprehensive about the rest of my labour journey here in Newham Hospital since the first point of call was so rude especially being heavily pregnant and in pain.

They referred me to the next room where I was seen by much nicer nurses, who told me I was 5cm dilated so I was clearly in labour!! Within hours, I was moved to the Delivery suite and both the midwife and student midwife were great at their job. I was seen by a doctor at two intervals, who monitored our progress and directed the midwives. There were some other doctors/staff members who checked up on us during the labour, and were professional. My birth plan didn't get looked at, nor was I in the positions discussed in NCT, however, I felt like I was under care the whole time and my baby got delivered safely, and I did not suffer much.

We were left on our own after the baby arrived, in what seemed like hours, and being first time parents, we didn't know what to do. We were moved to the postnatal ward after - Larch Ward and stayed overnight in their private room. We were re-admitted to Larch Ward after discharge because baby had jaundice. Doctors, nurses and midwives were extremely nice and kind after re-admission.

We came across MANY midwives, nurses, doctors, helpers and cleaners during our stay at Newham Hospital, and I got the overall impression that they are overworked, tired and blunt, hence not particularly nice but they have good knowledge.

In regards to breastfeeding, I think most of the midwives needs to be more considerate especially since some of us are first time mums and it doesn't help the situation when they were telling me off for not feeding my baby correctly, not knowing how to latch the baby.

The immense pressure I was under each time I tried to breastfeed just made me want to bottle feed.