"Fetal assessment Altnagelvin"

I arrived at fetal assessment altnagelvin in labour- the midwife brought me in to be assessed and explained that they didn’t feel I was distressed enough to be in labour and that usually someone in labour was struggling more. I explained this was my second child and I had practiced hypnobirthing to help me manage the pain and stay in control.

They then did carry out a vaginal examination and told me I was 3cm dilated and offered to admit me or else let me walk around the hospital grounds with my husband to help progress my labour. I opted for the second option and confirmed that I should return in 2 hours or when I though contractions were closer together like 3-4mins apart.

I came back to fetal assessment after 2hours and my contractions where 3 1/2mins apart- after pacing the ward for 35mins the nurse finally reappeared and asked me why I was back so soon and then offered me two cocodomol for my pain- I explained that in my birth notes it stated to not offer me pain relief unless I asked and that I just wanted gas and air please.

Another 20mins passed and they came back out to me and asked me into the private room again. When we went in they said to me again that I was distressed enough to be in labour or warrant being admitted to the labour ward to get gas and air and in a very condescending manor they said to me that I was only 2cm this morning. Even though they had told me at the time I was 3cm.

Eventually I convinced them that yes I was in labour and that I needed gas and air they arranged for me to be admitted to the labour ward but explained it would take 30mins as they were understaffed. When they walked me over to the labour ward and done the handover to the other midwife- they said I was a good 3 plus cm this morning when I examined her they also said I was very head strong and knows what I want and don't want.

Just to put it into context I was admitted to the labour ward at 2.15pm and my baby girl arrived at 3.12pm (so I was in full blown labour and needed gas and air) All in all this nurse never introduced themselves to me and made me feel totally unwelcome and unwanted. Rather than empowering a woman who was about to give birth they made me feel like I was an inconvenience to her.

Telling a woman in labour that she didn’t look distressed shouldn’t be a negative. It should be encouraged that she is in control and coping with the changes that her body is going through. But to finish on a positive my midwife in the labour ward was incredible and made me feel so at ease and empowered.