"A little disappointed"

The main thing I found lacking was that after having my baby and going back to ward 10. I was uncomfortable leaving my baby by itself unattended in a ward that wasn't secure. They don't even listen for your name and just buzz you in. My mum even gave my maiden name and was buzzed in. So I decided that as my partner was at home with our other children that I would wheel the baby to the toilet with me. I was told to leave baby where it was as it was quite safe. Well bearing in mind my baby was grey coloured when she was born and needed oxygen... she had low BSL readings and I was concerned about safety. I thought it was wrong for the midwife to discourage my protective behaviour. Then luckily I managed to make friends with the lady across from me and we looked out for each others babies. So managed to easily go to the toilet. Then on top of that as I had been stuck in hospital for 3 days having an induction... I needed a little air. So I got my baby safely into my Ring Sling baby carrier... and went to sign myself out for a walk... i then got told that I couldn't carry baby at all in the hospital in a sling (despite the NHS leaflet I had been given by the HV promoted this). On top of that I could not take baby out of the ward until I was discharged! So I had to leave my baby unattended in a ward that was clearly understaffed to go and get some fresh air?! Needless to say I went back to my bed quite annoyed. I was glad to get signed out of there... which took longer than it should have because someone had written the wrong BSL result on my babies paperwork. The staff are so kind and its not their fault that the place is understaffed and the rules are outdated. Security needs to be enhanced and there should be a toilet in each bay! You should not have to leave your baby and walk all the way down the hall... wait in a queue and walk back. Its the longest 5 mins of your life. On top of that... someone has decided to design the toilets with automatic flush. Every single woman on that ward was moaning about it self flushing while using it! Has anyone designing and updating the maternity wards actually ever been pregnant? Other than the above. The ward was clean... the staff were friendly... Although clearly run off their feet... and everything seemed well stocked... apart from a lack of toilet roll at times! Personally if you have a choice find a private clinic. If you don't try and see if someone can stay with you! Labour ward is fantastic caring funny clean brilliant on every level! Just need work on those maternity stay wards!