"Mixed experience of maternity ward"

I went into spontaneous labour with my first child at 35 weeks. My waters broke at 4.30am so I phoned Triage, who said to me that they better review me. Fine, great - I knew I was in labour, as did the midwives on the phone I suspect.

However, when I arrived a doctor examined me at 5.30/6am, and I was already in the throes of contractions (it was going to be a quick birth), who told me I was only so far on and this was going to be a long process. So their reasoning was that I should be put in an ambulance to Perth as there were no beds for me.

In the meantime, I needed a cannula placed in my hand. I warned every doctor that attempted to get the cannula in (approximately 5 in total) that I was notoriously difficult for getting blood out of. Eventually, the anaesthetist was called and managed to get it first time. I made a joke about how they should have called them in the first place and the anaesthetist realised how much pain I was in and asked me if I would like some pain relief. Yes please! This was about 8am at this point.

I was transferred to the ward (a bed having suddenly appeared) and being informed that they had found me a bed - I wouldn't have to go to Perth. Hurrah, because this baby is coming and fast! I felt that it fell on deaf ears however, as I was given painkillers and a hot water bottle at 9am - not what I would consider pain relief. My partner was sent home, but I told him just to sit in the cafe in the main building as you're going to be called back within half an hour. Thank god he listened! I had Eminem blaring in my earphones in the middle of the ward to help with my contractions, as I was getting sweet all else. 9.30am, I had enough and called the midwife on the emergency button beside the bed. She got a doctor to check me over and lo and behold I was delivering (9.45am). 

I am red path but as all the consultants were busy, two midwives delivered my baby. I'm so glad they did - they said they'd delivered countless more babies than the doctors, and they were superb! The lead midwife jagged me with diamorphine at 10am and gave me gas and air. My boy was here at 11am.

Following this, I was on the ward for 5 days in total. Absolutely no complaints about day staff, but I was less happy with the night staff I encountered. A patient on the ward slept through her baby crying. I had to approach the night staff who I believe were oblivious, and tell them to come - she's so tired I said. They only went and woke her up to feed her baby, which I found disgraceful. Then as chance happened (on my 4th night) I slept through my son's cries, and thank god the same girl did the same for me. I woke up to a midwife rocking the cot and staring at me.

I suffer from other health issues and found the night ward an extremely difficult environment - nevermind the fact I was adjusting to being a mother for the first time. I just wanted to go home. One midwife even changed his nappy on my first night after I called them in distress, and declared "well no wonder, he's filthy!" Personally, I believe it was some of the night ward staff attitudes which needed a change!