"child birth"

The care I received during late labour and child birth was fantastic. However, unfortunately I cannot say the same for the care I did, or should I say did not recieve during early labour...

I was induced at term+12 with my first baby and was understandably nervous, anxious and didnt know what to expect.

The first midwife (day shift) was lovely, a little patronising but I would put that down to 1 being a friday and maybe had a long week and 2 she is sick of the same questions! I had mild contractions half an hour before the midwife who induced me finished her shift and explained that she would inform the night shift midwife of my progress. 3 hours passed and I didnt not see or hear from any member of staff, when I finally got to speak to a midwife I was told the pain I was getting was normal having been induced and given paracetamol to help. Later that night, my mother dragged the midwife into the room and begged her to examine me, she did and by this time I was 5cm dilated on paracetamol! She soon whipped out the gas and air and I was walked onto the labour ward where I was left in the very capable hands of a lovely and more caring midwife who delivered our baby girl.

I was then taken to theatre for stitches and given a spinal without warning and lay on the bed without any interaction from the theatre staff, they were like zombies! I had to ask how long it would take as there was no updates or reassurance from anyone, after 1 hour of silence in theatre I was taken back to the labour suite and later wheeled to maternity...

All staff on the maternity ward were really helpful, caring and understanding, nothing I asked was too much trouble even the lady who cleaned gave me a helping hand, I couldn't ask for more.

In all, the care I received was fantastic and although I had a bit of a bad experience with the night shift staff I would definatly return to the same hospital.