"Antenatal - Fantastic, Postnatal - Exasperating "

I was admitted after a bleed with placenta previa and was kept in for 2 weeks before a c-section delivery at 37 weeks. The care I received in those 2 weeks from everyone- triage, delivery and mulberry ward, was excellent. Staff were friendly, compassionate and respected my privacy as best they could. The doctors, registrars and consultant convinced me I was in the best hands with their firm and well explained decisions. My c-section was amazing - not the birth I had wanted or planned but a truly magical experience and I have had no issues at all in recovery.

Unfortunately the care received whilst on the postnatal ward for 4 days was a stark contrast. I had to request my catheter to be removed after not being checked on for hours, I was not given a pad or any kind of help in managing my bleeding, no one explained using the toilet afterwards or where the toilets even were. My already tiny daughter lost a huge amount of weight in the first day which was the reason for our prolonged stay yet I was never able to see the breast feeding consultant. No doctor or nurse bothered to read my notes before offering their advice which led to me being attached to a breast pump for 2 hours even though my milk had not come in. Despite the concern being my daughter’s weight and energy, almost every feed was interrupted as they hadn’t come to weigh her beforehand in time. Since leaving the ward I have been informed that the advice given was incorrect and not the best for my baby, which I am inclined to believe as she has improved far more since following the advice of the midwife seen at 5 days, from Queens Hospital. This part of the ward seemed to lack the compassion, care and diligence of the antenatal area which is unfortunate when their antenatal and delivery care is so good and worth recommending.