I went in to the maternity ward to be induced which unfortunately failed and resulted in a C Section. From the moment I went in, it was clear the staff were pushed beyond belief looking after too many patients, all with different needs. Despite this however, the midwives were always patient and fantastic with me, treating me with respect and never griped. There were times unfortunately I had to wait up to 30 minutes for some paracetamol however this was purely down to resource again. However, once I had left theatre and put back on to a mixed ward, the aftercare reduced. I never seemed to see the same midwife more than once and there was rarely anyone around which when having a C Section, I really needed. I felt almost left to it including in the evening when my husband was made to go home and I had to fend for myself which included buzzing a midwife every time my baby cried and needed passing to me as I was unable to get her myself due to the surgery, and had to wait for up to 10 minutes at a time. It is clear the staff were stretched as I often only saw 1 or 2 midwives at night, looking after a lb entire ward of mixed patients from mums with babies, people going in to labour and people like me who had just come out of serious surgery and were somewhat imobile. I do not believe that people being induced should be on a ward with people already having had their babies as their needs are clearly different. Also, although I appreciate that partners cannot stay and rules are rules, discretion should be used in situations such as mine when I was unable to even hold my baby and had to rely on staff of which were too stretched to assist me which resulted in my daughter becoming extremley distressed. It didn't make sense that my husband who was both willing and capable to help me, was sent home and I was left to be cared by people that through no fault of their own, didn't unfortunately have the time to. Overall, I cannot fault the midwives or staff as the cuts are out of their control and they were doing the best they could but I think common sense needs to be used when managing a ward of mixed patients and by doing so, I believe the care and in particular the post delivery after care would be better.
"Midwives are clearly stretched"
About: Blackpool Victoria Hospital Blackpool Victoria Hospital Blackpool FY3 8NR
Posted via nhs.uk
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