"My experience with maternity services"

I first of all have to say my first point of contact with a midwife was in springburn medical centre - pleasant enough, quite abrupt but also didn't really care very much as I had told them I would be moving to Renfrewshire. Not once did I get notes on myself, no little maternity book etc. Then I had meetings with maternity staff at the Royal (who were angels) - where I was sent unnecessarily, I assume because my BMI was high the health centre nurse thought I was high risk. 

However, then I got transferred finally to Renfrewshire perhaps 6 months down the line where I was given a midwife who was to remain mines until I gave birth -really clicked with this one! They were very Zen and we bonded. To then be given over to another midwife who to put it frank it seemed couldn't be arsed.  

Messed around by junior doctors at maternity services at RAH - told I would be induced at 38 weeks because baby was growing rapid, to then be told no I wouldn't be getting induced because the baby was then measuring small. To then come back and be told I would be induced however the consultant (finally got to meet) wanted the community midwife to do a sweep of which she refused - can I also reiterate that all "information" given by junior docs was none, nothing on induction, no informed consent on my part until I spoke with the consultant which I asked for otherwise would have been given another junior.

Fast forward to my induction - maternity staff...AMAZING!! I can not praise the maternity staff at RAH enough. I was taken to labour suite around 12 after 3 pessaries over the necessary time etc. The midwife I had until shift change was lovely, bright and bubbly. However, my midwife for the Nightshift!! What an absolute angel! I will forever be thankful for their calm, informative and professional nature. The epitome of a midwife with added banter! I genuinely cannot praise this staff member enough. However, my labour was very long and this midwife had to leave just as everything was going wrong. Dilated fully then taken for a C-section. Again, the anaesthetic nurse - great at her job. Helped to calm my poor partner down. The anaesthetist threw the spinal in like a champ! Instant relieve. All the perioperative staff were great especially when I lost a lot of blood, so professional and astute. Dr Robbins, again what a lovely man -such a shame he has retired.

Post op - I don't remember much but I was unwell and had a lot of drugs and blood transfusions. The staff were accomodating. 

Up the ward - left to my own devices, staff pleasant, some less so. No aftercare on c section, no guidelines or booklets about do's and don'ts. The Consultant who eventually discharged me, lovely mannerisms, spoke clearly, concisely and informatively to me. 

On return home after removal of my stitch my wound dehisced at several areas, serous fluid and blood all over my living room. Staff at maternity line so unhelpful and on attendance a very junior doc had a quick look and popped a few paper stitches over my leaking, gaping wound and sent me on my merry way. Appalled. The community midwives tried to help but were not so sure about wound management, having an already massive case load! However, perhaps a wee bit of training may help them if the services could provide! 

Thanks goodness for my practice nurse on the management of my wound. 

Overall, I am happy with my care all that mattered to me was that my baby was born safely. However, I feel maternity services could benefit with debriefs including patients after traumatic events/births after discharge. This would benefit any potential PTSD issues. Which is something I raised with a junior doctor about my apprehension to an induced birth due to increased risk of traumatic births, haemorrhage etc. However, I was dismissed. Luckily I was more traumatised by my gaping wound than my birth story. There is many training opportunities required. However, staffing needs improved and in my opinion the pay needs increased! Thankful for the NHS.