"My experience"

I live in Elgin and I had to be induced due to reduced fetal movements at 37 weeks pregnant 

I was told in Elgin they would be suggesting not for me to get cook balloon

I travelled to Aberdeen a Wednesday in December 2020 already extremely anxious as I didn’t want to have baby here. Once I had been told to go to triage I was advised my only option was the balloon and that they’d never offered the gel in Aberdeen 

I got balloon fitted, thinking this was my only option, this was left in until Thursday morning then I was taken to labour ward (baby head down) I was told that they would remove balloon and break waters. 

This was unsuccessful as once balloon removed, baby went into breech position, and was advised I may need to get c section,  so I was put back up to triage until a space to became available in labour ward again. 

It was now the Saturday and I had been having to fast every day just incase I can get to theatre, if c section required, I had been put in rooms with girls, in labour, able to eat.

The room I was in was absolutely freezing, which everyone that comes in, comments on! The toilet seat is broken and the shower didn’t feel clean.

My partner was only allowed in 2 hours a day, we stay in Elgin so we wasted money on 2 nights in a hotel when it wasn’t needed.

Saturday was the first time I was told I should take steroids incase of emergency c section, I advised that I didn’t want this and c section would be my absolute last resort if needed, I had already had 2 natural uncomplicated births with my other children and wanted the same with my 3rd. 

I was never told about taking steroids incase I have to get section until the Saturday. I felt totally pressured into taking them and more talk of section, which have they have been told, I don’t want. 

My partner spoke to a Doctor on the phone as I was extremely distressed. I felt I was left until I cave in and ask for section, I would only have one if absolutely necessary which they knew, I felt my wishes were being ignored.

Later on the Saturday I was taking to labour ward to see if an ECV could be performed as again, I advised I really didn’t want a section, when I was scanned baby was head down again so they decided to attempt to break waters again but unsuccessful as they said they felt cord.

I was then advised that I would need to get section but I’d need steroid injections before it would be performed. 

I was then, again out back to triage, this was the 3 room Id been put too. That night, I listened to 2 woman in labour and 1 woman had sadly miscarried. 

After fasting again, I was taken down to theatre on the Monday December at 4pm and a c section was performed, it was extremely distressing as this isn’t what I wanted. I was also under the understanding that after a c section, I would be in for a couple of days to help with recovery, instead I was told they could let me home less that 24 hours after surgery! 

I refused as I wasn’t in any fit state to even walk to the car, let alone an hour and half journey home.

I left on the Wednesday, the car journey home was horrendous as I was in so much pain. 

Myself and daughter had now been admitted to Dr grays hospital on the Friday as my daughter was jaundice and had to be put in incubator. I was advised that I could have been admitted sooner to assist with my recovery, which I would of preferred as the pain I was experiencing was horrendous, 

I contacted Aberdeen in between this as the pain was unbearable, they told me they couldn’t give me anymore than paracetamol and Diclofenac and to sit with a hot water bottle. 

The next day my community midwife was shocked to hear this and got me a prescription for another pain killer. 

I felt my mental health been severely affected. This is supposed to be an amazing time, instead it’s made me depressed and extremely anxious and left with a scar and having nightmares about my experience.

I have 2 young kids that were getting extremely worked up wondering what is happening with me 

Some of the staff were amazing but then others let me know how stressed out they were and how hard they’re job is as it’s so busy. 

The only way I could describe labour ward there, is it felt like I was in a c section factory.