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"Terrible experience at pregnancy consultation"

About: The Princess Royal Maternity Unit / Maternity care (wards 68, 72 &73)

(as a service user),

I was booked for a consultation appointment because I was 42 weeks pregnant, to find out how I was and what I’d like to do next because I was quite far on in their books. 

Having kept me waiting over an hour, the doctor took me into a counselling room and attempted to emotionally blackmail me into booking a caesarean birth because I was 42 weeks pregnant. I’d like to note that I was happy, healthy and monitored - which showed no sign for concern throughout therefore, baby and all the mechanics were good. However, this doctor felt it necessary to literally cry at me and tell me that because I didn’t want to book for a caesarean I was putting my baby in danger.  As a mother already and human, I couldn’t not believe what was being said or how they were saying it! They consistently told me about how high the stillbirth rate is and that the placenta will stop working (This would have been flagged up in monitoring if that was the case at all) - both of these being thrown around with no thought. 

I don't think it can be appropriate for this person to have been practising at this time as they were literally shouting and crying at me, a pregnant woman who is perfectly fit and healthy (as was baby), totally unacceptable - I left that very long emotionally, mentally and physically exhausting appointment after 3 hours and I was devastated that this doctor had caused me so much upset so late on in my pregnancy. 

I’d like to add that they finished my consultation by shouting that they were finished talking to me, goodbye! and stormed out of the room. 

Not once did I raise my voice or loose my cool but my goodness, I think that doctor needs to take break if they think it’s ok to act like that.

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Responses

Response from Victoria Mazzoni, Interim Clinical Services Manager, Obstetrics, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde 3 years ago
Victoria Mazzoni
Interim Clinical Services Manager, Obstetrics,
NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde
Submitted on 21/09/2020 at 16:35
Published on Care Opinion on 22/09/2020 at 12:45


Dear Melaina,

Thank you for taking the time to inform us of your experience which I can understand from your post has had a significant impact on you. Please be assured that all the points that you have raised have been prioritised by the team who cared for you and are already being fully investigated through the NHSGG&Cs complaints procedure and a response will immediately be shared with you when completed.

All women attending for any consultations within maternity services should be treated with dignity and respect and any plans for care are conducted jointly with women, their consultant and obstetric team through the sharing of evidence based information. I am sorry that this does not appear to have been your experience when accessing our services and no disrespect was ever intended by staff caring for you.


I can appreciate that these events have had an impact on your birth experience and I hope that our investigation and response will assist in some way. I hope that you are now able to enjoy this special time together with your new baby and family,


Kind regards,

Vicki Mazzoni

Lead Midwife

Princess Royal Maternity

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