"Induction in ARI"

This was my third and last pregnancy as unfortunately we lost our baby last year, and then this year we found out I was expecting again 6 months later. Ward 3 were a huge support during what has been both a very anxious time for both me and my husband.

It was agreed that as my pregnancy this time had been fairly straight forward I could Give birth in Elgin. I was overjoyed at this as my first daughter was born here also and I didn’t want to be too far away from her either when the time came. 

I was due 3rd October but I was late and after many sweeps it was decided an induction would be the way. I couldn’t get an induction until the 12th! This was met with anxiety and huge worry as I felt this was far too long to leave me considering I’d had a still born 6 months previous so I was very anxious also I would have to stay in Aberdeen away from my daughter.

It was agreed that I would get a cooks balloon inserted on the 11th in ward 3 and then the following day go to Aberdeen for induction. My baby’s heart rate before the balloon could even be inserted went up high. The two midwives said it didn’t look good and that my husband would need to take me straight to Aberdeen with no stopping. So I then had to organise last min child care for my daughter and rush through to Aberdeen with my husband. The journey through was awful we were sick with worry after losing our last baby the very thought of something being wrong just killed us. We arrived just after 5pm in ARI, my husband was allowed in! Baby and I were monitored for 2 hours baby’s heart rate normal. Cooks balloon was inserted and we then got told we could go home! After having nothing to eat as no time to get food before heading through we then decided we would just stay in a nearby hotel. We got a phone call the next morning at 8:30 to come in for 9am to be induced. Just aswell we stayed!

All was well we got sent directly to the labour delivery suite room. Husband was allowed in again! The induction process started. Then I got told my baby’s heart rate was dipping with every contraction. A dr tried to put a clip on my baby’s head but this was accidentally clipped on the side of my cervix inside instead.. fast forward 3 hours later with just gas and air and extreme pain. They stopped the drip. The dr got consultant to try remove clip and suggested epidural. Which by the way was Great pain relief but I think should’ve been put in before they tried to remove clip! I cannot fault the midwives and I felt they were so unfairly rushed off their feet! They managed to get clip off with use of forceps. They then got the clip on my baby’s head and started the process of induction again. The consultant wanted a blood sample off my baby’s head to check oxygen levels. This was not possible. My baby’s heart rate continued to dip and was in distress so it was decided I would need emergency c section. I desperately did not want this as I knew my husband would need to go soon to offshore leaving me to recover alone with my 5 year old daughter. In the current state of things we could not afford for him to take more time off adding more anxiety. The staff in the theatre were fantastic and my son was born at 19:39.

My husband had to leave soon after but was very much appreciative of the fact he got to cut the cord and see his son being born. 

In recovery I had a temperature and it was decided I and my son would need antibiotics IV. My son was wheeled away to have cannula put in. About midnight we got put on the ward and was told we wouldn’t be allowed home for a few days till I was well and my son was well too. I couldn’t fault the staff on the maternity ward. It gets so busy and you are left to it picking baby up and showering etc. I managed fine though. I did feel disappointed that I didn’t get told anything about what caused the infection that caused the temperature or any results of the bloods and swabs they took. Hardest part was my husband couldn’t visit unless he booked a time slot which was hard to get. He could only get a late in afternoon appointment and by then our daughter who was with grandparents would’ve been away for two nights so we both felt it would be better for him to head home to take care of her. I found this very difficult I often got upset during my stay missing my husband and daughter. Especially the fact they couldn’t get to see our son and brother. After everything we have gone through this was heart breaking. I understand it is about safety but very hard mentally to cope with. 

Day 4- all was well and then at night time I asked for pain relief which I had been getting every night before bed to settle pain. The staff member I asked was very rude and said that the pain relief I wanted was too strong and shouldn’t be needed at this stage and couldn’t be given with paracetamol which I had already been getting previously. I’m a nurse so I know this to be false. The attitude was disgraceful. They said if I was that bad I would need to wait an hour and buzz for it. I was in pain and tears missing my family etc. Came back after an hour and gave me my the pain relief and to tell me I would be going home the next day anyways and wouldn’t be getting that sort of pain relief! 

The next day I asked the midwife as I hadn’t been told anything about my results or my sons recent blood results. Or anything really about treatment or what I should or shouldn’t do ie after having a section. The breast feeding nurse spent 10 mins with me then spent 2 hours with another patient, seemingly not bothered how I felt about my sons feeding as he has a tongue tie I’ve just discovered. The midwife who discharged me never came back to tell me results but came to tell me I was being discharged home in an hour. I told my husband and he left to come for us. I was told he wouldn’t be allowed onto ward to help me out to car either. I was discharged with paracetamol and told I wouldn’t be allowed any stronger pain relief for the journey home to Elgin. 

 

My community midwife arrived the next day and told me I was allowed stronger pain relief and was entitled to diclofenac as well. Which I didn’t get from Aberdeen.

My son is home healthy and well, I’m recovering well. I’m really grateful but I can’t help but feel let down and disappointed at how bad things have gotten. My 4 weeks post surgery and my husbands went offshore I feel very supported by the midwives, health visitor and ward 3. I wouldn’t wish this on any new mum and hope they get the services back to normal. This just isn’t safe and with the ever increasing population in Elgin they can’t keep sending people to Aberdeen and not use dr grays.