"Terrible postnatal care"

I gave birth to my daughter in September 2011.

Although the care I received during the birth (at the midwife-led birth centre) was excellent, my postnatal experience was hell on earth. The midwives were, on the whole, uncaring and had no time for me at all. I had terrible problems breastfeeding and none of the midwives I saw - and I saw a lot - were willing or able to give more than cursory assistance before disappearing off again.

I later realised that the jitters my newborn was experiencing were due to dangerously low blood sugar. No professional spotted this. I missed more than one meal because I was busy with my baby or wasn't able to leave her unattended to fetch my own food.

I didn't sleep for four nights due to the loud and incessant sound of the call bell blaring day and night. I have never felt more alone and vulnerable than I did when I was a patient on that ward.

When I was discharged I was a physical and emotional wreck and ended up suffering from postnatal depression. I firmly believe this was due to my traumatic experience.