After 4 days sat around hospital waiting for a bed to free up so I could be induced (they wouldn't let me go home as I was 40+11 on admission) I was finally taken to a delivery room. Any questions I tried to ask about the induction were largely ignored or I was told that things were the way they were. Very much felt like a 5 year old. Was told they would have to break waters but not why, was told I couldn't get up off the bed as I needed constant monitoring, then made to wait hours for anaesthetist for epidural, no one examined me before trying to insert epidural even though I was having almost constant contractions.
After and hour and twenty mins and 3 failed attempts at insertion the anaesthetist gave up and left complaining about me not staying still, by this point I was in tears with pain. They finally thought to do an internal exam only to find out I was fully dilated (and had clearly been for some time) then confiscated my gas + air as I was having difficulty concentrating on pushing so had to manage most painful stage with no medicine. Very scared, being told off and blamed for things.
Then I was told I needed an episiotomy as baby's heart rate had slowed, then me and partner clearly heard midwife say "whoops" followed by lots and lots of blood. Notes say 600ml but judging by floor afterwards (even after partially cleaned up) probably more. Then left up in stirrups with door open while I had stitches, multiple midwives going in and out, felt very exposed. Notes do not record any of this apparently (according to birth afterthoughts) and rest of blood was left on floor.
Due to deliver here again in the next couple of months. Terrified as was diagnosed with traumatic stress by doctor following first baby, but according to the Lead Midwife at DRI I had a very good and straightforward birth (and was made to feel like I was making a mountain of a molehill). All seemed like an exercise in covering up and providing excuses than a service designed to help people deal with the emotional trauma faced, which is how it was described by my doctor when she referred me.
Interestingly I was told that the reason I wasn't checked before they attempted the epidural was because it wasn't a standard practice and they wouldn't have expected me to be that far along so quickly, but given that I was having literally almost constant contractions, making someone sit there in agony, crying in pain for over an hour seems stupid for the sake of a two minute internal exam by a member of staff who was already in the room anyway.
"My questions were largely ignored"
About: Doncaster Royal Infirmary / Maternity care Doncaster Royal Infirmary Maternity care DN2 5LT
Posted by elibeth92 (as ),
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