"Maternity"

My experience in the labour ward was really good my husband was informed of what was happening and why, as there was a little complication. The midwife that came on after change over was determined to get my baby out with having to have any help which makes me feel quite proud that I pushed my little girl out. Unfortunatley my experience on the maternity ward was shocking in my eyes I didnt get to the ward until midnight and not one of the staff came to introduce themselves to me as I was now in care or another department, they all seemed quite happy supping tea and eating cake as we went by the staff room, my midwife from labour ward showed me where everything was and told me to buzz if I needed anything and she wasn't joking. I really wanted to breastfeed and can honestly say that the staff werent bothered didn't really give me any support or help that evening it was me buzzing all the time concerned that It had been 5hrs since she was born and shouldn't she be having some form of food at least. Then again at 7am I buzzed wanting help trying to breast feed and the young lady didn't seem to be bothered and I had to get a little sharp and asked for some milk and a cup and she left me to it. As this is my first child I had never cup fed before and didn't really know what I was doing. Later in the morning a lady came to get her sucking on a bottle and then a few hours later I was asked if I wanted to go home, the midwife didn't seem concerned that she was breast feeding. I feel like theres a big push that breast feeding is the best start for your baby but yet the health care professionals at this hospital couldn't care less in my experience. Thank goodness I have a brilliant community midwife and health visitor that supported me through my challenge of breast feeding. I felt very let down that the staff on the night shift were only bothered about having a chat and drinking tea. Not one of them came round on their own accord to see if we were alright. I feel sorry for new mums that need reassurance, support and guidance not every new mum has initiative and feels confident in what they were doing. I never got showed how to change her nappy or bath her and was packed off home with a couple of bottles of milk. Its a shame the maternity ward let themselves down compaired to the labour ward.