"Maternity and Birth Experience and Constantine Surgery"

Written by Healthwatch Cornwall on behalf of the story provider:

Constantine Surgery - fantastic, amazing seen same day and see doctor of choice. Doctors even phone out of hours to check on you. Very lovely midwife at Helston and consistently saw same midwife. Is aware they are trying to offer consistency with midwives.

Suggestion is to have a leaflet or online photos/blurb about the different midwives in order to become more familiar with the wider team, in case of having to see other midwives - by way of an introduction and to help new mums to feel safe.

RCHT mixed experience of postnatal ward - can see when it is full/busy - feeds for baby were late (feed required staff input) and delays to regular obs' being taken and to responding to the buzzer. It's not about the staff themselves it's about how busy they are. Staff are asking patients and family when tasks were last done by staff and the number of mills baby had at last feed, as it was not always recorded/checked. Feels it could be an issue if mum wasn't mobile, like some mums can be (i.e. if recovering from surgery/perineal tear) but when the ward is less busy, it is fantastic.

During labour, mum was in agony and pain was very intense with regular contractions of length but wasn't examined for hours and told might go into labour in the next 48 hours. However was examined 1 hour later and 8cm dilated. Feels this should have been worded differently as in agony and told 48 hours to go, which has a huge psychological impact (when in fact was 8cm dilated) and just needed to hear 'you are in labour'.

Fabulous time in the delivery suite - lovely woman, bright room and just great - all amazing here. Had previously gone into Helston birthing unit for decreased fetal movement. Walked in 'they scooped me up and did all they needed to do to reassure me'.

A note from Healthwatch Cornwall