"Mixture of good and bad"

I had a range of problems leading up to the delivery of my son. Which The hospital was excellent at monitoring, I felt that my health and the health of my baby were a priority and great attention was taken to explain what was happening. On week 38 I had to go onto the Robert Watson ward, as I was told I would have to be checked every two hours. However, no one checked me or my baby overnight till 6 the next day. Had to wait to be induced, so I refused to stay overnight as no one had checked me anyway! Had an excellent midwife start the inducement and monitor me, could not have done a better job. However, at 10 a different midwife check me, and sent my husband home as she felt the contractions were not regular enough. Was left on my own most of the night, begging for pain relief. Only to be told that 1st time mums dont go into labour that quick. In the morning was crying with pain and was sick everywhere. No one came to help as they were handing over to the next shift. Was made to walk to the labour ward with my bags. On the hand over by the midwife, she told the other midwife I was only two centre metres dilated but that was over 10hrs ago and no one had checked me. Was told by the new midwife that some new mums can't handle the pain! Still no one checked me, until the anaesthetic tired to do any epidural, and got the midwife to check me. My baby was then born within 30 mins. If there had been better communication or just someone checking the notes I feel this could have been avoided. We had to stay on the ward, and the care was good, however even tho we questioned it. I was keep on blood pressure medicine longer than needed and this made me really sick. There was one midwife who gave exceptional care and this redeemed a lot of the poor treatment. However, it's 9 months on since I had my child. The experience at northampton left me feeling scared, alone and very vulnerable to the point that I do not want to have another baby and face that situation again on my own. It was clear that the hospital was understaffed at times, and pushed to the limit on the budget cuts they face. As well as the sheer amount of woman giving birth and the demands they place on an already busy hospital. It really was a mixture of good and bad.