"Apalled at lack of care."

What I liked

I liked the care I received at the labour ward, staff there were really nice, every midwife I came into contact with was lovely.

What could be improved

My whole experience when I was transferred to ward 1 was a complete nightmare. The care (or lack of) I received before delivery when I was induced was apalling but the worst was my time in ward 1. I was so extremely disappointed with the staff there, I spent 5 days and 5 nights and every midwife (apart from two) that were on duty (day or night) were just completely careless. No-one came to check on me, I had lost alot of blood, had low iron levels, was feeling dizzy, low blood pressure. I was told I'd have blood tests/blood pressure checked etc. Nothing was done, I'd press the buzzer to call a midwife for some help and someone would come ages later and I'd get spoken to rudely as if my concern was meaningless. This lead me to believe that they must be busy with other patients but any time I'd walk in extreme pain to their reception they'd all be sitting there laughing/drinking coffee or sleeping. This is just apalling. I was told by my community midwife that I wouldn't be sent home until I was shown how to breastfeed/look after baby etc. But no-one helped me with anything, even when I asked continuously. I'd chase around midwifes down corridors with a urine bag attached to me and on drips just to get someone to come address my concern.

I don't know why they wouldn't let me home as I was really struggling there alone when my husband would have to go home at night. There was no point in having a birth plan as everything was overlooked (don't think anyone even read it) from halal food to medical students. I think it was pretty disappointing as I had nothing that was suitable for me to eat. Even if there was anything that was suitable for vegetarians, that would have suited me fine. But the whole time I was there I had to have someone bring me food over which was quite a hassle and sometimes I was left extremely hungry with no energy.

Anything else?

Also on leaving home when I read my notes, I was shocked to read the midwifes lied about what happened during my time there. They'd write fake times and notes about checking on me when they actually didn't at all! No-one would tell me when it was time to eat or even ask about how I was. I have so much disappointing things to say about my experience there that I will run out of room to write but I definitely will not be recommending dewsbury hospital to any of my pregnant friends or relatives, infact I have already warned them off. I wish I listened to the people who warned me but I thought their experiences were a while back and maybe things have improved as I read an article about how maternity services would be improved but nothing has changed. I suggest someone checking up on what actually happens there (maybe undercover as a visitor or something and the midwifes responsible) as they really shouldn't be there.

So so extremely disappointed.