"Things that would have made the experience more positive"

Overall, the nurses and midwives were caring and kept me informed about next steps. Unfortunately, I had to wait for some time to go into labour ward due to high demand. I went in on the Thursday evening after my water broke, and gave birth evening on the Sunday via C-section, to a beautiful baby girl. I was in the hospital for 4 nights. I discharged myself on the Monday 24hrs after birth. While the medical staff were great, especially given how busy the ward was, there were a few things I note below that would have made the experience more positive.

1. Access to working lift - for a busy part of the hospital, it was disappointing that the lifts were often either out of service or limited to 1 out of 2, meaning getting the stairs or waiting for some time. The night I went in, the lifts weren't working and I had to use the stairs. Thankfully, I just needed to get to 2nd floor.

2. Amenities: the hospital's only shop was under refurbishment when I was there. Closest shop was Co-op which is rather expensive. If you can, make sure to have your snacks and other dry foods packed in advance to reduce cost. 

3. Green spaces or lack thereof: the only space I could find to get 'fresh air' was the lower ground entrance, which was always full of smokers. No one seems to be reinforcing the no smoking on NHS grounds rule. There was nowhere on hospital grounds for patients to seek peace and quiet outside the wards. Hospital needs to invest in green and smoke free spaces as part of their wellbeing initiative. It is disappointing that this even needs to be suggested. 

4. Food: I'm grateful that patients do get three meals, however quality could be better. Much of the food was either overcooked or low in nutritional value. I would also have appreciated being told to eat before going to labour ward as I was expected to only drink water once induction process started. I went 24hrs+ without any food. Suffice to say, I was not happy.

5. Showers: all the shower rooms I used pre and post birth had faulty shower heads. They also needed updating with better hooks and towel rails. I had to use the shower seat to prop my toiletries which you really don't want to be doing. A bit of paint would go a long way also. 

6. Post birth support: I felt the midwives and medical staff were stretched thin and often seemed stressed out. I had a midwive matter-of-factly tell me that baby had to have her hat on as her temperature was a bit low. I was a new mum for less than a day and already felt I had failed my child. I was told I would receive breastfeeding support but all I got was a tired midwife at a ward clearly understaffed. There was very little guidance. I asked to be discharged after 24hrs but could not leave before I received my medication, which led to further delays and waiting. I was told the doctor would need to sign off prescription which didn't happen for at least 4/5hrs after I had asked to be discharged. I would not have minded another night at the ward. However, patient next to me had a very noisy family and staff did very little to keep this under control. 

I love the NHS and I really hope it remains open and free to the public. I'm thankful for the staff that were kind and patient. And I'm thankful I left hospital with me and baby both healthy. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to me that the right funding and allocation of resources is in place at this hospital's maternity ward.