"Awfully understaffed labour ward"

Anything else?

I had the worst experience I could have wished for at the labour ward. They were so busy that I was sent home 3 times before being allowed to go onto the labour suite.

When I was in a labour room I was left for hours at a time with no one checking on me. The midwives were so stressed that one of them ripped her gloves off and threw them on the bed before walking off because I was in too much pain to bear an examination.

I had a 40 hour labour which resulted in a forceps delivery and I was denied an epidural despite asking for one over and over again because the anaesthetist was in theatre.

I believe my notes do not contain this information and just say i asked for 'pain relief'.

I've just tried to obtain my notes but there is a charge of £50!

Once I was moved to theatre the atmosphere changed completely and I was treated with respect and kindness.

On the ward, after I'd had my baby the midwives were much kinder and calmer even though it was still very, very busy.

I know the midwives were under a lot of pressure because I was told that they were sending people to Ashford to have their babies after I'd been admitted.

I feel sorry for them working under such stressful conditions but I'm also traumatised and feel humiliated by the experience.

People should be able to expect respect in these situations.