"Negative Birth Experience"

My main reason for wishing to provide feedback here is in hopes that services can be drastically improved for future mothers.

In December 2021 I gave birth via emergency c section in the Ulster hospital.

Prior to giving birth I was admitted into the induction ward. I had been booked in for an induction anyway but was strongly advised to come in for a second stretch and sweep. I explained to the midwife I did not want to, as it was previously very painful and did not help me along however I was advised this was not sensible.

When I arrived at the hospital I was then told I was showing signs of pre eclampsia so was therefore required to stay (protein in my urine and elevated blood pressure). Had I known what my next few days would have been like I would not have gone to the hospital that day.

My first night in the induction ward was intimidating and stressful to say the least. Being a first time mum listening to 6 other mothers screaming in pain, vomiting and crying (me included in the crying) I did not get any sleep whatsoever - already setting me up for an exhausting birth the next day.

However after a failed Foley, two failed pessaries I watched women come and go until finally someone came and got me - at this stage I had no sleep for 2 days and a 2 hour visit from my husband who felt absolutely useless at home. I am still in disbelief that the induction ward is ran by only one midwife - it’s a total disgrace to expect her to look after 6 or 7 women.

I just want to mention though despite the pressure there were two midwives on this ward who were so lovely, others who weren’t but I had expected that.

I was taken away to the labour ward then to have my waters broken and to start my birth journey - absolutely exhausted and then informed I couldn’t eat anything - I really wish that had been explained better from the start.

My midwife was nothing short of fantastic though and really looked after me and my husband - unfortunately I had to have a c section and I would like to mention the medical team who I felt were absolute professionals and made me feel in safe hands and really explained everything so well despite it all being a blur at this stage.

It’s what came after this that I really hope is taken on board and used to improve services in the future. The post natal ward/maternity ward whatever it is referred to as, was by far the most shocking experience.

Maybe I was naïve in what to expect but I genuinely believe that experience has set me up with such a bad start to motherhood and have been left feeling a bit traumatised by it all.

I was wheeled down from my operation - my husband who was allowed to stay with me and his new born for grand total of 1.5 hours was told to go home.

I was still numb from the waist down and couldn’t walk or feel anything - my baby was placed in a crib beside me and I was left in a room with other women and basically left to it.

My baby was crying and I was pressing the buzzer. I had to wait over 20 minutes to be seen and for someone to hand me my new born who needed their mother. This has really stuck with me. Why did it take so long to be seen to?

So we were now on day 3 of no sleep after major surgery and a new born to care for with no help from my husband due to covid regulations. You are basically left to your own devices with very little care or help.

Constantly pressing a buzzer makes you feel like an absolute nuisance. I had a catheter bag attached which dragged along the floor the whole time as I couldn’t carry it to nurse my wee baby I was covered in my own blood and other bodily fluids and had to ask a few times could I please have a change of stockings as I was damp and uncomfortable. I was told the NHS only allow one pair of stockings to be issued. I genuinely could not believe this.

My husband came to visit and I was sat in my own blood covered stockings unable to take them off myself. I also had to ask to have my catheter bag emptied - on two occasions as it was so full it started going back up!

Every time my little one managed to fall asleep the rest of the babies start screaming and it set them all off resulting in no sleep for anyone.

One massive issue for me which has only served to cause me greater issues going forward was my breastfeeding journey.

A midwife came round and offered to take my baby for an hour or two to let me rest as I hadn’t slept in nearly 3 days at this stage which is when my baby was given a bottle - a bottle! I had not consented to this but apparently they were hungry and unsettled.

Well my baby refused my breast after this incident - completely melted down every time we tried to breast feed. I asked for help several times to try and get back on track but no one seemed interested in helping me.

What a devastating start to motherhood. Like I said, this has only created further issues for me today.

I have been advised by family and friends to write this today as a way of moving forward but also in hopes of helping any other future mothers.