"A unfortunate start to motherhood..."

Unfortunately, I did not have a very good experience of the maternity ward and felt my dealings with some staff within hospital pre-birth and post birth were very poor.

I stayed for a week in the maternity ward before my c-section and had a slight scare due to a suspected early labour, which could have been dangerous for me and baby due to the location of my placenta growth. Night staff were very understanding and put forward a new plan to move my c-section date, when morning staff arrived they had no communication of the change in plan and refused to believe me when I retold the events. I was told it should have been put in my notes, but no such notes were recorded. They took no notice of my situation and was made to feel as if I was overreacting. In the end I withdrew telling them about any pains or twinges I felt as they tended to ignore me. The regular monitoring I received dwindled and I came and went from the hospital with no notice from any midwifes - despite the fact I should have been reviewed frequently.

After my planned c-section I was pretty much left to my own devices despite struggling to breastfeed, it was as if that what the only option and god forbid if you mentioned formula at this stage. On day 3 I was told I was allowed to go home early morning but waited until early evening (7-8 hrs) the same day to be discharged. No advice to wake to feed baby regularly, even though baby had jaundice and was sleepier than usual.

Five days later we were back in hospital due to baby losing more weight that usual, some staff were amazing and very helpful. However, others were not so. We were made to feel like criminals even though we followed all advice and co-operated at all times (not even allowed to nip for a coffee downstairs with baby unless under surveillance). Pressure to breastfeed was immense and we were questioned to the ninth degree about how he'd fed, not to mention being observed feeding numerous times.

Again after being given the go-ahead for discharge it took 7-8 hours to actually be discharged.

A first-time mother's experience completely ruined by the time spent at hospital and aftercare from midwifes. I felt tired, drained and judged when I should have felt euphoric and been enjoying my baby's first experiences.