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"Victoria ward,Postnatal"

About: Barnet Hospital

(as the patient),

I have had a gorgeous baby at Barnet Hospital and I'm more than greatfull to all the caring midwives and doctors who gave their best to make sure my baby was born healthy with no complications. I had passed due date, 40+12 and I was told to phone the hospital and get an appointment to be induced as an inpatient on Victoria ward. My appointment on the same day at 8am, had a few checks, 1cm dilated and was induced at 12pm.

After an unsuccessful induction, baby's heart beat made concerns before attempting second stage of induction. Saturday night I was taken to a delivery room with minor but relatively frequent contractions, 3 cm dilated, had my waters broken by a doctor and assured that baby wasn't in a stressed stage.

I was induced with and asked for an epidural. Because baby's heart beat was very confusing many suggested c-section for baby's well being. Reassuring signs such as clear waters and sample from baby's skin showed my baby was not stressing, and in a calm period of time managed to dilate to 9cm, and delivered baby within few minutes in two push. But oh Lord would have never done it without such a team at delivery ward. And I wish I could mention names! Greatest midwife Marina, Dr Panikos, Marta, a doctor younger blond haired lady, and the very mysterious woman without uniform who made this birth giving happen for me! ! ! Just like in the movies! I escaped my biggest fear the c section! Had a healthy baby in the morning hours, gorgeous little one!

However been told about the quick process of getting transferred to post natal ward and getting baby and myself checked should be leaving the hospital as a happy mummy as soon as possible, NOT! Having spent a whole 4 days in Barnet Hospital most of the times in bed I was still not "priority" to leave on the monday!

I felt i was humiliated in many occasions by a very arrogant midwife who made me feel like I was less than a normal human being for not being able to fully breast feed my child. Despite I told the midwife I was planning on mixed feeding since my (a year older) first born was fed the same way, as I was easily getting cracked-scarred-bleeding nipples, which I was struggling with this time too! ! ! The midwife walked around calling my name and told many people I was bottle feeding, and not breast! The midwife came to me, and spoke to my child, said mummy not breast feeding you! Then she told me any time the midwife opens the curtain i'm stuffing my face and that I didn't understand English.

I felt very guilty, frustrated and very very humiliated! I'm trying my best to bring give the best for both of my children, and a good healthy start! I felt I was a terrible mum for not letting my new born suck on my bleeding nipples! I gave birth in the morning as I mentioned, im a certain blood type, and I was promised an anti D injection right after giving birth, having to ask for it several times, it was still a question if anyone "ordered" it yet on late Monday! ! ! ! My baby also didn't have proper checks until late Monday, and the hearing test is STILL NOT COMPLETED NOW! I reported I moved house at around my last doctor check at 38 weeks, I was still sent home with a folder and the wrong address on it! ! ! Nightmare on the postnatal ward which made my hospital stay a sad and frustrating memory, and I would not recommend it to a friend!

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Responses

Response from Rachel Carn, Digital Communications, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust 8 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Rachel Carn
Digital Communications,
Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
Submitted on 30/07/2015 at 10:19
Published on Care Opinion at 12:12


Hi rudysmummy, thanks very much for your review and congratulations on the birth of your second child.

While we are delighted to hear that you had such a positive experience of giving birth with the support of our team, we are very sorry to read about your experience afterwards. We will be passing this feedback on to the team on Victoria ward so that they can look into what happened and ensure that it doesn't happen again.

In order to get to the bottom of things as quickly as possible, we would be really grateful if you would email rf.communications@nhs.net with your details so that we can look into your case. Many thanks for getting in touch and apologies once again.

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