"I was on the post-natal ward for ..."

What I liked

I was on the post-natal ward for a week following the birth of our daughter in November 2005. Although I would rather have been at home, I am pleased I stayed in now as the care I received was brilliant, both on the delivery suite and on the post-natal ward. I had a very difficult labour and deliver with some complications but at all times my husband and I were kept informed. There was only one blip at about 2am when an anaesthetist could not be found to administer the epidural but apart from that, it was fine. The breastfeeding support lady was great as well, giving me lots of help and advice particularly as our daughter was jaundiced and had to be under the UV lamps. Food was only okay, although my husband would go to the restaurant for his meals and took great delight in telling me about his fantastic roast dinners!

What could be improved

The shower and bath facilities on the post-natal ward were nothing short of disgusting. There was only one shower working when I was in and it was old, mouldy and in a huge room with no heating, bearing in mind it was November and snowing outside!

The food was only okay too, but I'm not sure how easily that can be sorted out.

One other thing I would say is that I found it strange that my husband was not allowed a cup of tea. I was in with serious post delivery complications and our daughter had bad jaundice, so he was with us all day every day for the time we were in, yet he could not have a cuppa! There was one lady who would let him have one but others said it was for patients only. I found this odd.