"Antenatal care and delayed c-section"

I am writing to share my disgust with regards to the way in which I have been treated at the maternity services department in the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

I am 36 weeks pregnant with my second child  My first pregnancy was an unstable lie which resulted in a failed induction and emergency c-section.

Given my history I was advised that this pregnancy may also have the same outcome and would require another c-section. I had an appointment at the doctors clinic.

At this appointment I asked for a provisional date for my c-section given my history with my previous delivery. They completely dismissed me, refused to book me in for a provisional date and questioned my reasons for requesting a c-section. They stated that I may want to consider delivering my baby naturally, which I felt that my right to autonomy as a patient was denied as I had already made an informed decision and chosen to have a c-section.

The doctor did not take into consideration my history at all. In fact they did not even look at my notes prior to my appointment and had to keep referring to these during the consultation when I was asking them questions. They advised that they would give me another appointment , and I would be given a date to come in for an elective section at 39 weeks. They said it would most likely be at the end of July as 39 weeks landed on a Saturday. At this appointment they also advised that there would be ample time to book me in for my c-section.

In subsequent appointments my baby has been lying in a transverse position meaning that it was likely that I would require a c-section. At each of these appointments I have asked again for a date for my section but was again dismissed and advised that I would get this soon.

I arrived at my appointment  and the baby is still in a transverse position. I have another appointment in a few weeks and if the baby still hasn't changed position I will be admitted  and will remain an inpatient until I have my c-section due to risk of cord prolapse if my membranes rupture. This is a repeat of what happened with my first pregnancy and I have planned for this accordingly.

The issue I have is that, despite me requesting a date for months, they have now left it too late to book my c-section for 39 weeks and there is no availability - until when I will be 39 weeks plus 5 days. They have also advised that there may not space  and I may need to be transferred to a different hospital to have my procedure.

Yet again I am faced with uncertainty and still have no proper plan or course of action in place. Having a c-section is already a stressful situation without having these additional complications.

I wish to raise highlight the following points:

- I have been asking for a date for my c-section in order to have a plan in place since March and each time I have been dismissed. My history has not been taken into consideration at any point and now there is no space for me to have the procedure at the end of July (the date I was advised it would be at my appointment in March).

I now cant be taken until 2 days before my due date. This means a longer hospital admission, a longer time away from my son, who will be severely distressed that I am not there, and a higher risk of a cord prolapse if my membranes rupture on their own.

- I understand the need for having to be admitted to hospital at 37 weeks due to the risk of cord prolapse following a rupture of membranes. What I don't understand is if the risk is so high why are they choosing to leave me to 39 weeks plus 5 days with the risk of going into labour on my own increasing with each day closer to my due date.

I believe this is an unnecessary risk which can be avoided with an earlier section date. I am not choosing to deliver this way, I need to have a c-section to avoid risk to my child. If my child was not in a compromising position I would be more than happy to wait. However, I feel that the risk is not being taken into consideration. The delay also means a longer stay away from my 3 year old son.

- If they have suggested that they will need to transfer me to another hospital, then why can this not be arranged for the end of July when I should be having the c section then as previously discussed in March. I understand that these other hospitals have their own lists too but if they will take me the start of August why cant they take me at an earlier date.

- I feel like I have been treated like a piece of meat, an inconvenience and passed from pillar to post at each appointment. I am merely a number, a tick box and the care has not been patient centred at all. At no point has my emotional well being been taken into consideration at any point.

- I suffered post natal depressiom following the traumatic nature of my first delivery. I am extremely concerned that this is going to be the case again. I am concerned about the risk to my unborn child should I go into labour before the delayed c-section date. I also have the anxiety and stress of having to leave my son for 3 weeks and find suitable childcare for this period.

- There is still no plan in place. I still don't know if there will be space for me to be able to deliver my child in early August or even where my child will be delivered. I cannot have this uncertainty when I have other responsibilities to consider.

I am an advocate for my unborn child and I believe that delaying my c-section  is putting my her at unnecessary risk. I also want to know who will be held accountable if my child is affected if I have a cord prolapse . I would like this information documented in my records.

I know consultants who work in the field in a personal capacity and they have also advised that they would not be leaving me to 39 weeks plus 5 days due to risk of cord prolapse.

I would appreciate feedback in regards to this and also think that the procedure needs to be looked at in order to avoid this happening to other people