"Maternity assessment unit"

I called Ayrshire maternity unit on Friday morning as I had been up all night with really severe cramping/contractions, at that point I was 41+1 and first time mum so was looking for support an advice. Was advised on the phone that it could be the start of early labour and advised to stay home, take baths paracetamol etc which I did.

I then ended up calling back as the pain was getting worse and I had noticed a bit of a change in movements, again advised to stay at home. Eventually the following night I was in so much pain and the contractions were getting closer together I called for advice and also explained that I lived about 40 miles away and was struggling to get over due to my travel plans falling through and was scared to leave it until last minute for pain relief.

The midwife on the phone had an appalling attitude saying should you not have sorted that out months ago? After trying to explain and getting quite annoyed I was told to try make my way there for an assessment. I eventually managed to persuade a taxi company to take me there for about £100.

When I got there it felt they immediately had an attitude with me saw me into an assessment room and did general obs then asked me to get on the bed for an examination. I was having contractions whilst I was there trying my best to breathe through them. I got my examination and internal and it was pain I’ve never experienced in my life. they then told me that baby’s head was very low down but they couldn’t reach my cervix as they were too far back, checked my notes and told me the community midwife hadn’t given me a sweep as they couldn’t reach them either. This was news to me I was fully under the impression I had had a sweep. They then told me I wasn’t in labour and all the tightening etc I felt must be Braxton hicks (I have experienced Braxton hicks and they definitely didnt feel like that as they weren’t like these contractions, they were excruciating). They then offered me the options to could stay in the ward but warned me I’d be there for nothing and I’d get sent home in the morning or two codine tablets and go home. Their overall attitude though made me feel like a burden and nuisance and felt like she thought I was lying about how much pain I was experiencing,

I got very tearful which isn’t like me and my mum tried to apologise explaining I hadn’t had much sleep. They then questioned my mum (who walks with a stick) how are you going to get here anyway if you can’t walk as she was my birthing partner. I asked if I could request to be transferred to a different hospital to which they said I doubt they’d be happy with that if you’re booked in here and why did you not try this before why are you even booked in here? I told her I felt let down and at that stage would rather give birth in the house than come back to Crosshouse to which they were like well you’re not going to give birth in the house but it’s not my job to get you here (not that I said it was). Various other comments were made and in the end I agreed to go home just to get away from them. 

Since then I went home and spent the night in absolute agony, I’m too scared to call back as I think I won’t be take seriously. I can’t even sit down due to pain. Due to be induced on Tuesday so asked if they thought I’d make it to then to which they just replied I don’t know you could be in and out all night. Was made to feel terrible and even worse seeing her make comments to my mum. I left in floods of tears feeling so defeated and dreading having to come back or contact them for support felt like I was being bullied in high school. I’m a nurse myself  and honestly I’m shocked to see this level of care (or lack of) it shouldn’t be acceptable from the care providers who are supposed to be your support in vulnerable moments. As a fellow nurse I’m mortified by the experience and plan to lodge a formal complaint once I have recovered from birth.