"Disappointing Maternity Care"

Firstly the midwives who helped me delivery my baby were fantastic and as a first time mum the very fast labour (3 hours) and rather large baby (9lb 15oz) I couldn't have had a better birth experience.

However once I was on the ward it was a different story. I didn't get to the ward until nearly 9pm despite my son being born at 4. 30pm. I wasn't shown where anything was and give a jug of water and left to my own devices as my husband had to leave. I was left alone without even being offered a painkiller despite the several stitches I had and was also trying to breastfeed. I was told to press the buzzer when I was going to feed in order for the midwife to check my sons latch.  

It was discovered he had a severe tongue tie. Pressed the buzzer and the midwife said she didn't have time to check and no one ever checked after that to make sure he was latched properly. If they had they would have seen he wasn't and was basically getting air leading to colic and me giving up breastfeeding, as he was screaming constantly due to hungry and pain and I was in so much pain I dreaded feeding him. It took until my health visitor met us on day 10 for something to be done and my sons had to have his tongue tie cut at 2 weeks old.

During the medicine round I was in the bathroom and was not offered any painkillers yet my notes said I refused them on 2 occasions. Believe me I would not have refused painkillers after birthing a 10lb baby naturally! !

I mentioned that my left leg was sore behind my knee and the midwife told me to keep an eye on it and nothing was done. After being home for 5 days my leg was swollen and bright red around the affected area and after being sent to hospital my the midwife it was confirmed I had a blood clot in my leg which had developed into cellulitis. I had to spend 6 hours in the hospital with my 5 day old baby and was offered nothing to eat or drink and both of the vending machines were out of service.

The security also leaves a lot to be desired as my mum walked straight onto the ward to see me and then walked out with my baby in the car seat and no-one batted an eyelid or asked who she was!

All in all a terrible experience in the maternity ward and the next time I have a baby I will be asking to leave after the mandatory 6 hours.