"Shocked at how badly I was treated in the..."

Anything else?

I have been left upset by how badly I and the women on my ward were treated by some of the 'professionals' in the postnatal ward at St Thomas' hospital. I had the misfortune to spend over a week there and while there were a few caring and professional midwives - the majority of the staff I came across were rude and unhelpful and some were downright cruel verging on abusive.

While the antenatal care I received via St Thomas' was excellent, the postnatal ward could not be more of a contrast. I feel that the experience contributed to me developing post natal depression, given what a terrible start me and my baby had there. I was repeatedly in tears and felt that as a new mum I was not offered the support and help that I needed, particularly given I had been through major surgery.

The following is a summary of some of the things which happened (not all as too many to list):

Due to being stuck in bed because of c -sec,developing a heat rash on my back and being refused antihistamines until 2 days later.

Being told there was no vegetarian food left when selecting my meal choice and my husband having to go downstairs to buy me food (happened several times)

Being told off for asking for water, as it had been offered earlier.

Being told my baby was starving as I hadn't given him formula (I was trying to breast feed) and having my baby taken away and given formula

People turning my buzzer off and then no-one returning to help me breast feed when my baby was having trouble feeding and had been re-admitted for significant weight loss.

Being scolded and told i was damaging my baby for not warming expressed milk when no-one had told me i had to or where I could actually do this.

Being told the was i was breast feeding my baby was unacceptable - but not being shown a better way or explained why by this midwife.

Having my baby taken off me when he was crying by a midwife who then told me off for trying to feed him.