"Rude, unsupporting, nasty Midwife"

Firstly I would like to point out that the midwives that took care of me during labour/delivery were amazing! They were very supporting and understanding and took into consideration that where I am a first time mum, I was nervous and they helped me every step of the way.

After birth the ward was a completely different experience. Most midwives were OK, however one particular midwife was absolutely shocking. The midwife treated me so terribly. As a first time mum I struggled to breastfeed my newborn son. He was not latching on. Various midwives tried to help me, we tried different positions, different techniques, we even tried tricking my son with formula on the breast and yet I still could not get my son to feed. I found the whole situation upsetting and quite scary as being a first time mum you are not sure what to do and lose all confidence. I tried breastfeeding babes, which also didn't work. I was constantly given conflicting advice from midwives that each had their own way of doing things. In particular one midwife found the need to criticise me at every opportunity. The midwife criticised the position of the way Inwas breastfeeding, even though I was using the same technique another midwife had taught me. I explained this to the midwife and they referred me to google! Very unhelpful!

I was completely deviated that I could not feed my child and looked to the midwives for help, support and advice but this particular midwife was everything a midwife shouldn't be. After buzzing for help, the midwife pointed out that they were there for support only and I had to learn to do it myself. This was particularly unhelpful as I had being trying for the last hour to get my son to latch on. I felt so alone and unsupported that night in hospital that Indevided that I would only stay the one night so that I could be at home with my husband for help and support. After the midwife had repeatly that evening made me feel useless and so small I felt the need to defend myself and explain how I had been given so much conflicting advice and received no support that I would discharge myself the next day so that I could care for my son in a more relaxed/ supporting environment. This particular midwife also felt the need to point out that if I couldn't feed my son then social services would get involved! I was absolutely horrified and shocked that a midwife could be so cruel to a patient let alone a first time mum that was trying to do the best for her son. The midwife could have at least recommended that perhaps try formula but instead them treated Ned so disgustingly. The following day, I was so happy that there was a shift change and the most amazing midwife was on duty. This midwife spent all morning with me helping me to breastfeed, at times it 2 myself, the midwife and my husband to help try and get my son tonkatch on but again it didn't work. Finally the kind midwife offered formula and suggested I try this just to give me a rest.