"Birth"

I have birth in April during lockdown.

My homebirth was cancelled at 41 weeks as due to my risk factors, they didn’t feel they could ensure there was enough ambulances should I need to transfer for any reason.

At 42 weeks I agreed to an induction due to being post date.

It was arranged that if I only needed PROM I could still birth my baby on the birth unit.

Sadly my daughter had passed meconium so I was transferred back to labour ward on the main hospital.

Once labour was underway a consultant entered my room to discuss antibiotics in labour, I had already made clear I wanted to decline and Iv made an informed choice, the consultant argued this with me and gave much misinformation such as “it was a special antibiotic that only kills strepB” I knew this was utter rubbish, however they continued.

This person then wanted me to have a clip on the baby’s head.

My daughter was not stressed and on the monitor seemed to have the “perfect trace” as the midwifes said.

I declined the clip as I felt it was an invasive and unnecessary intervention, but did agree to be left on the external monitor.

The consultant was not happy with this, again I Had to argue while in active labour.

Just as they left they relooked at my notes and saw my baby was measuring larger on scans. They re enter my room and tells me due to the size of my baby, I should not be alarmed when there is lots of people during delivery, they may need to cut me as babies this size can get.

Thankful this was not my first baby and I didn’t panic and this truly insensitive and horrendous thing to say to a mother (for absolutely no reason) while she is in labour.

I asked the consultant to leave and didn’t see them again.

The midwife during my labour was great and supportive.

However, due to the consultant I felt uncomfortable.

I didn’t voice during the transition period as I didn’t want a room of strangers in masks, fighting with me more about how to birth my baby.

I did deliver my baby quickly and easily, she was 8lbs14oz, not huge and I did not need any assistance.

Moments after birth another dr enters the room, asking me to stay and talking about risks etc...

My baby had literally just been born (not even delivered the placenta) and again I’m having a very invasive conversation.

I felt it totally robbed a very special moment from me and my child, one I cannot get back.

I’m left now very upset and angry at these drs and their lack of care, compassion and manners.

The information the first dr gave was also appallingly inaccurate.

They shouldn’t be talking to anyone this way, especially during one of the most personal moments of a women’s life.