"Hospital Feedback"

Anything else?

I came into RHH with what I considered quite strong contractions but I was pregnant with my first baby so had no real measure how bad they were. i was advised to come in to get checked out but also reminded that i would probably be sent home, when we arrived I had vomited several times with the pain but was made to sit shaking in the waiting room whilst they found someone to see me. They then insisted I gave them a urine test but wouldn't help me to the bathroom even tho' i was struggling to walk. When i was examined the midwife actual laughed (I think due to awkwardness) and informed me i was 10cm dilated and should be ready to push. The birth itself was quick and complication free, although I didn't catch the name of the midwife who delivered my baby as she jumped off her shift as soon as the baby came. Although it wasn't how imagined my labour happening i was relieved that my baby was healthy and finally here. It was the aftercare that still makes feel like i want to cry every time I relive it. I was so desperate to breastfeed but when my baby was born and rooting they said I couldn't try and feed until I'd been stitched up by that time my baby had lost interest and gone to sleep. When my baby woke again to be fed, the midwives sent a breastfeeding partner into the room. I feel like if I ever see this lady again I won't be held responsible for my actions. She came in without introducing herself pulled my top down and starting squeezing my breasts to check i had milk, she didn't ask permission or give an explanation she just continued to man handle my breasts leaving me with finger mark bruises. Had i not been in the emotional and exhausted state of just giving birth I hope i would have said something but i so wanted to feed my baby as it has always been pounded into us mums-to-be that breast is best and I wanted the best. She couldn't help me get my baby to latch on and in the end told me that all i needed to do was squeeze the milk onto a spoon and pour it into her mouth (which she did for me again without asking permission) and spent 30 minutes giving me a lecture with a knitted boob whilst i cried at my clear inability to feed my baby. Had I been alone I would perhaps think i had imagined this whole scenario as I was sleep deprived and sore but my partner was with me to verify the events although he wasn't involved as the lady barely acknowledged his existence. Later that day I was discharged even though when asked i said i did not believe breastfeeding had been established (although on my discharge paper it says that it was). It was clear they needed the room and wanted to get rid of us in all honesty I wanted to leave as soon as possible for fear of meeting that woman again. There were also other discrepancies with the care i received but this is the thing that still gives makes me shudder.