"Disappointment with labour care"

Arrived at admissions at 5pm, 4cm dilated with first baby. We had been timing contractions so I had an idea how far along I was, but was sadly met with immediate dismissal by midwife (before she checked me). Seemed inconvenienced by our arrival & seemed to assume we were being over eager as first time parents. Appeared surprised when they checked and discovered I was 4cm. 

Was then admitted but only to A Ward (non labour ward) without explanation why this was. I had visited ABC unit during pregnancy & verbally requested this if possible on arrival, as well as having detailed written preference for birthing there in my notes (which sadly I believe to have been ignored). Was left for several hours at the end of the non labour ward, briefly greeted by different midwives on a handful of occasions & offered oral pain relief. Felt highly conscious of the labour noises I was making whilst all other women around me were Not in labour. 

By 9.30pm I was 9cm dilated and my husband had to run up the ward to encourage someone to come to us, at which point I was rushed to delivery suite to push and baby was born safely by 11pm. Very happy with consequent care in delivery suite by an experienced midwife and a student midwife who were both encouraging and caring. However, feel let down by lack of care prior to that point and confused as to why I was left to labour mostly alone (except thankfully for my husband) at the end of A ward. My guess is that the speed of my labour was faster than many first time mums, and assumptions were made that proper checks could be delayed with me until a shift handover took place. 

Now pregnant with second baby, due March ‘21 and discussed my prev. experience with a very helpful attentive midwife at my 28 week apt. who checked my prev. notes and relayed that there was no reason recorded why I couldn’t have laboured and delivered in ABC unit before. Advised me to speak about this preference again at every opportunity from now on in this pregnancy, as well as adding extra sheets of A4 to my current notes specifying this, so it is ‘unavoidable’ to notice this time. Also recommended encouraging my husband to strongly advocate for me again and often in this respect.

I will do all of the above but am discouraged that I now feel obligated to pester staff in order to have preferences acknowledged and supported this time. (To clarify, I had no pregnancy or labour complications whatsoever so these preferences were reasonable and simple, making it even more bewildering for us why they were ignored.) 

Through my first pregnancy, I had felt calm and open-minded about all aspects of delivery previously, including agreeing to student midwife care at various points. I had my preferences but I additionally really put my trust in the staff to guide us supportively through our first baby’s birth, and I believe we were let down for no real reason I can identify. This time I now sadly feel less trusting and more apprehensive about what lies ahead. 

Thank you again to the midwives who gave my sweep and who safely delivered our baby boy. My experience with admittance and labour at the Royal does not diminish my gratitude for those members of staff who helped us through other important stages.