"My experience has had an effect on my mental health"

I was induced in April at RCHT in Cornwall. As I had reduced movement. and due to covid-19 I had to come in alone. 

I was then recommended to be induced immediately by the dr. My birth partner wasn’t able to join me which was upsetting, I understand the reasons behind this but all the same it was upsetting and not a great way to start birth process feeling upset and alone. 

I was shown to a bed and given a leaflet after the pessary was given. 

After this I was left alone for hours without anyone checking to see if I was ok. I didn’t even get given a pillow for the bed, and wasn’t shown a call bell or anything so didn’t have a means to ask any questions I had. As I was alone without my partner through no choice of my own I’d thought that perhaps the staff might have been a bit more caring. 

I had to go and walk around the ward to find a member of staff when the pessary fell out. A midwife came after a short while to replace it but this led to me having hyper stimulation and my baby’s heart rate dropping (I assumed this is what happened as the midwife took the pessary out after looking at the monitor and the got another midwife and a dr to come). I found this quite frightening and I didn’t feel reassured at all. They were talking amongst themselves and then told me I was being taken up to have my waters broken and to call my partner. 

I feel upset about the care I received on the antenatal ward. 

I can’t fault the care I received on the delivery suite however. The midwife was caring and informative. I felt genuinely cared for. 

My birth experience has had a detrimental effect on my mental health which I’m now seeking help for through outlook South West. I feel that had my partner been with me I’d not have felt the way I do. I would have had support and someone to explain what was happening as he could have relayed information to me.