"Worried about my baby's health and safety"

I arrived at the induction bay in mid-afternoon.

After the midwives had done their checks and bloods and inserted an IV cannula, I was given a Foley balloon for induction of labour.

Within 5-6 hours the Foley had fallen out and an hour later my waters had broken.

The midwives continued their 4 hourly CTGs and clinical observations. Unfortunately my contractions were not progressing and were very mild and irregular.

The midwife on night duty informed me that there were currently no beds available in the labour ward, however they would do their best to move me into labour ward for a hormone drip as soon as a bed became available. I made no progress overnight and the following morning the midwife informed me that I would be next in line for a bed in labour ward. However, two other patients who had arrived into the induction bay hours after myself had already been moved into labour ward ahead of me.

Throughout the day the midwives continued to do do their 4 hourly checks, but unfortunately due to the shortage of staff and increased number of patients and c-sections there were still no beds available in labour ward.

I asked the midwife if the IV antibiotics could be started for group B strep. They asked the sister in charge but the sister said that there was no need to start the antibiotics until my contractions had progressed and it would be time enough to start them when I was moved to labour ward.

By that night, and still no hope of being moved to labour ward, I requested that the midwife start my IV antibiotics for group B strep as it had been over 24 hours since my waters had broken, placing myself and my baby at further risk for infection. The sister on the ward gave permission for the midwife to start the antibiotics in the induction bay.

After two nights of no sleep, and anxiety and worry overwhelming me I asked to speak to the midwife on night duty. I expressed my concerns that I was worried about my baby's health and safety due to the length of time that had passed since my waters had broken and there was still no sign of being moved to labour ward. The midwife was very understanding and apologised due to the lack of staff and the long wait my husband and I had endured. They advocated on my behalf and spoke to the sister and registrar on the ward to prioritise a bed for me in labour ward.

By the early hours, after over 34 hours wait in the induction bay, and over 27 hours since my waters had broken, I was finally moved into labour ward, where I received more iv antibiotics, and a hormone drip, and my daughter was born 7 hours later.

I felt that due to NHS staff shortages and increased numbers of patients, I was let down, with mother and baby put at risk.

I would like to thank the midwives and staff that took great care of myself and my daughter in such difficult circumstances. Thankfully we were able to go home the following day healthy and happy.

Hopefully this story will emphasize things which need to change in the NHS.