"Poor experience in the delivery suite"

My partner and I were in the hospital for a C - Section in October.  We found the care on the delivery suite was atrocious. My partner was in a lot of pain and discomfort following the section (as we were later told they were out of the normal pain killer given before the surgery and the replacement was not as good - would have been good to know this information beforehand to help mentally prepare).

My partner needed help getting on and off the bed and for the first 2 days walking to the toilet. 

Whilst I was visiting we asked a midwife if they could watch our newborn whilst I helped my partner to the toilet, the answer was that she will be fine.  As parents who lost our daughter the year before you can imagine our anxiety and anger at this response, they wouldn't even help my partner to the toilet.

Whilst using the facilities my partner noticed blood.  She was alarmed and pulled the emergency cord...…10 minutes it took for someone to attend.....and the response was that they didn't know what we wanted them to do! Are you serious?! Help, you are a healthcare professional, not just the welfare of newborns but of the mothers too! My partner returned to the bed in floods of tears as she was in too much agony to bend over to fully clean herself....that's just degrading treatment.

Fortunately someone did come and help her clean herself.

This wasn't the only issue, we also had trouble feeding our daughter, just wanting someone to watch and give guidance (surely part of the job).  It appeared that no one could be bothered, so that night as I left, distressed as my partner was upset, I was upset and our daughter not feeding properly.  I asked if i could stay just to help out a little bit more....the answer was no, in what I found a rude manner.  I was given no reassurance  that mother and daughter would be looked after when I left.

I feel that a review of the department is a must.  When you can hear a assistance bell ringing and the midwives are seemingly sat outside just eating. It is their job; if they don't want to help people then they shouldn't work in a hospital.

In a time where mental health is so prominent, I am shocked that new mothers and parents can be treated this way.  It is meant to be a happy, exciting time but that was ruined by these midwives.

However prenatal care and early assessment were fantastic, we had extra scans and whenever we had doubts on movements they were never judgemental, always friendly and polite and very reassuring, they made the journey fantastic.

Staff attitude