"It wasn't the experience that I had hoped for"

I gave birth to my daughter over a year ago now.

I gave birth in the midwifery unit. I firstly felt unwelcome from the start even though they stated I was 4cm dilated. They seemed unprepared at the fact that I was going to be giving birth soon. The midwife even stated that I was the only one in the whole unit! So I felt I should have received the care that I deserved.

The midwife was unimpressed that I hadn't had a clear birthing plan....but this was something I didn't want. So I got into the pool as I agreed that might be a good idea. The midwife was very snippy with my mum who was only asking general questions. Anyway, I was pushing etc and the midwife actually took my night dress off without asking me. Which left me completely naked. Personally, I felt this was completely unnecessary and undignified! Once my baby was born I felt rushed into the bay.

I also then received very little support with breast feeding. I got kept in another night for the whole purpose of helping my baby to latch on yet the whole night my baby screamed and I struggled to attach her and feed her not one midwife came near me. (Still the only mother and baby I the bay). I'm not sure if there were mothers giving birth but there were 2 midwives at the desk all night. I felt very alone isolate and unwanted! It made me so upset I just wanted home!

It wasn't the experience that I had hoped for. I understand that midwives are stretched and over worked but I didn't feel like this was an excuse for the care I received. As a nurse myself I feel there is always time to support patients.