"Pregnancy nightmare"

I went to the nightingale maternity area at this hospital. I explained that I was worried I hadn't felt my baby move in a little while and that I had pretty bad back pain.

A nurse told me that they were really busy and that I should go across the road to the foetul observation unit. I am six months pregnant and it is quite a walk up hill.

When I got there they told me they were closed and treated me like I was lying that I had been sent there.

We were sent back to where we came from. I have pretty severe back pain and so these two walks alone were quite a lot.

We went back to where we came from and I was actually shocked with how rude the woman on reception was. She actually laughed at me with a guy who was sat next to her when I explained that I was worried. (The man was sat on top of the counter on his phone!!!! How can this be acceptable!)

At this point I have come into contact with three members of staff, none have asked me any questions at all about what is going on with me or weather it was an emergency, thank god it turned out not to be!

I was told nothing at all about waiting times etc and no one at all was caring or friendly in any way.

The receptionist wierdly criticized me for coming in after I told her a hadn't felt any movement for a while, which is exactly what you are told to do. It was shocking how rude she was.

I sat down next to another woman who said she had experienced much the same and had been waiting for a dressing to be changed for 4 hours with no information.

I ended up having to call up my own midwife and went all the way to North London rather than stay there because the environment was so bad.

More women left also.

My experience at this hospital has made me very fearful for anyone who might actually have to give birth there or have a problem.