It has to be said that almost the entire staff we encountered during our 6 day stay in hospital were amazing. The midwives on the delivery suite were kind, considerate and supportive and made a difficult journey much easier. What I would say is that as the husband, being in theatre during the caesarean I felt somewhat out of control as little information was given as to what was happening (my wife had some complications that meant both delivery and stitching up after was not straightforward). Given I had severe anxiety about the whole birth process due to my mum passing away delivering me, I would have preferred some more frequent information to understand what was happening and why. It would be said that the consultant who performed the surgery was lovely.
After recovery we were taken down to the ward where we felt a little abandoned, especially as first time parents, the staff member who we asked for help made us feel a little inadequate but after that the remainder of the midwives, consultants and maternity support workers were brilliant - checking in on us when they didn’t need to and being very supportive. All but one staff member who came to visit my wife in the very early hours on our second night in regarding concerns over her bowel. The manner was both arrogant and abrupt and greatly upset both myself and my wife, to the point where another staff member ended up coming back into the room to apologise. This person may have expertise and everything may be very simple for them, but to us the situation was both frightening and upsetting - sadly I didn’t get the staff member's name but I feel they really need to revisit the bedside manner element of training!
My only other criticism was the lack of catering for me as the husband - I couldn’t go home due to not being allowed back because of the coronavirus concerns and so I had to rely on my wife sharing some with me and a few “handouts” but this should be taken into account as husbands are likely to stay when their partner has had a c section to help and support and due to the lack of sleep etc. we also need to look after ourselves as well by eating well etc. and should not be expected to live out of a vending machine. Other than that the care at Treliske was second to none and we are forever grateful to the midwives, doctors and maternity support workers.
"Birth of our first child"
About: Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) / Maternity Royal Cornwall Hospital (Treliske) Maternity TR1 3LJ
Posted by firsttimedad (as ),
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Update posted by firsttimedad (a service user) 4 years ago
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