"I attended the antenatal day unit 3..."

What I liked

I attended the antenatal day unit 3 times per week towards the end of my pregnancy due to pre-eclampsia & Cholestasis and the staff at the day unit were lovely. They explained why I had to visit, what would be happening at each visit and helped with any concerns I had. They moved over to the new hospital while I was being monitored and the new hospital seemed much cleaner and brighter which made the visits just a little better.

I was admitted to ward 10 for early induction in May and the midwives on duty at this time were lovely, checking on me when they had to but at the same time actually seeming to care about me and my unborn son. The night shift midwives however left a lot to be desired.

What could be improved

The antenatal unit and consultant clinic were on the top floor in the new hospital which seemed a little thoughtless although I suppose something has to be on the top floor.

The waiting room in the new hospital for the consultants clinic is tiny, which resulted in pregnant mums having to stand while they waited. There was also a childrens play area right next to a window on the top floor and although the window didn't open too widely my heart was in my mouth as I watched children leaning over the toy box right next to the window which was at child height.

The night shift on ward 10 didn't listen or show any concern, in fact it seemed they wanted as little fuss as possible. In the early hours of the morning having had some paracetamol & complaining at the constant pain I was in I was advised without examintation that I would need more than paracetamol if was in labour. When I questioned whether my waters had broken & were dripping I was advised without examination that they hadn't as I would feel a gush if they had. I had already explained that I didnt get to the hospital with my 1st child until I was 9cm dilated & my waters had already broken without my knowledge but as midwives I felt I couldnt disagree with them. When I asked for pain relief stronger than paracetamol I was advised they could give me something to knock me out so I could get a good night sleep, I didn't want to be knocked out I knew I was in so much pain that my baby would be here soon, as the nurse went off to get me some medication I went to the toilet and a very large blood clot gushed out of me and I started to bleed quite heavily. I was then finally examined and taken to the labour ward where my son was born approx 15-20minutes later. It made for a very scary and traumatic labour but if the midvies had listened to me and actually examined me I could have had a much easier experience.

Anything else?

When I advised the midwives on ward 10 that my contractions seemed to last forever, the pain was constant & that I had very bad back pain, I was advised the pain was just the pessary & the back pain would be the baby’s head, no examination was carried out at all and everything I said was just dismissed.

After I realised I was bleeding & was finally examined I told the midwife I was worried about the bleeding & instead of some explanation or reassurance all I got back was 'yes so am I' I was terrified and as I was being pushed to the labour ward I could tell from the facial expressions of the 2 midwives that things weren't quite right. I then overheard them telling the labour ward that I would have been brought down sooner if I had actually told them I had back pain and contractions I just thought to myself dont you mean if you had listened I would have been here sooner. Thankfully my baby was well; however I feel it could have been such a different ending had I have been given painkillers to knock me out.

I was advised by labour ward staff that I would need to remain in hospital for 24 hours so my baby could be monitored which would be necssary as I had been on medication for blood pressure but ward 10 sent me home later that afternoon and this was without the results of blood tests that were taken following my large blood loss, the results of which I have never received.

I can't say whether I would recommend this hospital as I feel it's luck as to which nurse, Dr, Surgeon etc you are lucky or unlucky enough to be treated by.

My experience was so frightening & I received no explanations afterwards, it has put me off ever having anymore children.