"My maternity ward experience"

I am sad to write this as I was was born myself in lewisham hospital and had high hopes for my labour. However, the birth of my baby son in this ward in 2018 was less than satisfactory. 

I was induced due to my waters breaking and not contracting in the next 24 hours. 

I had to have two epidurals due to not being informed by the midwives to lay straight. I laid on my side which meant it only worked on one side. This meant that all the pain went to one particular point on my right side making the pain unbearable and therefore causing me to have a second epidural (which I feel was avoidable). My back was fine before labour but now gives me pain everyday. 

In addition to the above I was told on one examination that I was only 2 centimetres dilated and told they expected it to be some hours before I was anywhere near 10 cm. After an hour I was examined again and I was now at 10 cms and his head was there so told I would have to push. I could not feel anything as was completely numb from the epidural. This concerns me also as the umbilical cord was around his neck and as I could not feel anything and could have strangled his oxygen. 

Also, I have two large hernias that I will need operated on I think due to pushing so hard. I could not feel anything so just followed the midwifes instruction in the end they had to cut me as the pushing did not work. On doing so they cut his head also. 

Overall a terrible experience one where the consequence of which in my opinion still almost two years on effects my day to day living.  

I can say that the trainee staff who were on shift at the beginning of my labour were excellent. I can also say I have a beautiful healthy baby boy. I just think this should be highlighted as I do think some of it is negligent.