"Involuntary pushing and breathing problems in newborn not picked up"

I Was first admitted to labour ward to have my waters broken and labour induced. 

The midwife that welcomed us to the ward was absolutely amazing.  She spent time getting to know my husband and I and spent time discussing our preferences for birth. We both felt that we had received a gift having such a qualified and compassionate midwife on hand for the delivery of our 3rd child. 

Unfortunately my labour didn't progress quickly and the midwife was to finish her shift at 7AM. 

She provided a detailed handover to the new team that entered the room. 

The new midwives included a student midwife. Whilst I am of the opinion that everyone has to learn (and having had a student present at both of my previous births) I was not concerned at all regarding the student being present. 

At 7.55AM I was examined and found to 6cm dilated. Up to this point I had no pain relief and now requested Gas and Air. Having previously moved quickly from this stage to delivery I advised the midwives that I didn't think the baby would be long before delivery. The midwives seemed reluctant to believe this and made no preparations for birth. 

When the midwives suggested that delivery was not close, I requested morphine  but this was never given.  At around 8.45AM  on further request for an examination from myself  (after involuntary pushing) I was found to be 10CM dilated. Even at this point the team didn't fully jump into action. Fresh eyes entered the room and noticed the involuntary pushing and again indicated to the midwives that they should prepare for birth. Our daughter was then delivered very quickly after this stage but there was no guidance for pushing to avoid any tears. 

On delivery the cord was cut immediately and not left for delayed clamping as had been discussed and skin to skin contact post delivery was only initiated by my mother and not the midwives. Similarly, breast feeding was initiated by me and no guidance given from the team. This was something that I had specifically requested in my birth plan. 

My daughter was making a noticeable grunting noise on birth along with foaming at the mouth. We asked the midwives if she was ok and needed any extra help to be advised that she was fine. Her colour was very pale and we noted this again to the midwives. 

The midwives were lovely in their personality. They were supportive (though the student midwife spent more time in the room with us than the qualified midwife did- and post birth it was really only the student midwife that we seen with the exception of my stitches). 

But is my strong opinion that student midwives should shadow experienced midwives . Whilst we appreciate that students need to learn, for the safety of patients and newborn babies, I feel they should learn from midwives who have the necessary experience to pick up on involuntary pushing and breathing problems in newborns at birth. 

We were discharged to Peterhead Maternity Hospital by 1PM. On arrival at Peterhead Maternity we received breastfeeding support and during the night the midwives at Peterhead were concerned about our daughters breathing and we were sent to Aberdeen Neonatal unit for breathing support in an ambulance.  

We are so glad that this was picked up in Peterhead Maternity because if we had taken the 6 hour discharge to go straight home from Aberdeen maternity, the outcome for our daughter could have been tragically different.