"Bitter postnatal care experience"

I had my first  and only baby at the end of Aug,2018  via an emergency c-section . Was fortunate enough to have the care of some efficient doctors and wonderful compassionate midwives throughout the whole labor period till birth .I could not thank them enough. However some bitter experience during the postnatal care period almost ruined my birth experience.

It was in the postnatal maternity ward that the behavior of 2 senior staff members shocked me to the core. One of them constantly pressuring me to breastfeed and judging me when I had to formula feed due to lack of milk supply in the initial days after birth.

The day after giving birth as i was headed for the first bath i simply asked them if i can get a towel since i cant find mine?In response they sarcastically asked whether I wanted toiletries as well, saying they had none of those either. Not to mention being highly irritated  when i asked some basic questions about baby care or if I needed anything, ignoring my need for expressing bottle at times. The next staff member was equally rude, shouting at me for not breastfeeding properly and also complained to my husband behind my back that I was not breastfeeding my baby when other midwives were not around! Even threatening him that I would not be discharged till I was able to breastfeed properly! Such behaviors in the initial days of a first time new mother is enough to make her depressed and hinder the bonding process with a new baby. Even now when I  have successfully breastfed and  raising my beautiful baby, thinking of the postnatal period makes me sad.

Hope this feedback helps the postnatal care for new mothers recovering from difficult surgery, being treated with more kindness and compassion. Please  ensure proper postnatal care as it is an important phase of a mother’s life and it’s crucial new mothers start off life happy with a newborn.