"Labour ward at The Royal London Hospital"

From my experience, I think the Labour Ward is an absolute disgrace.

The midwives I encountered did not seem interested and in my opinion they were rude and need re-training. The post natal care, in my case, seemed to be non existent. I would rather give birth in the street than in that hospital again.

I went into the ward in late morning and after 6 hours of contractions, I was bleeding quite heavily and severely vomiting. I was examined and told it was normal and to go home. Little did I know the midwife had missed vital signs that mine and my baby's lives were in danger.

I returned to the hospital as I was in severe pain between contractions and bleeding even heavier. I was taken into a room with blood all over the floor, not a great start. I was examined and told everything was normal - however my baby's heartbeat was causing concern. It was monitored and then another midwife decided the monitor was picking up my heartbeat not the baby's. Oh how wrong, was she?

I rapidly deteriorated but no one would help. The midwife was ignoring my pleas for help and didn't seem to know where any equipment was. Still vomiting and bleeding even heavier, I was asked if I could walk down to the delivery suite.

Eventually in the late evening, I was seen by a Dr who was so concerned that my baby's heartbeat was over 170, they pulled someone out of theatre and rushed me in.

I was severely dehydrated and had a blood loss of over 2 litres. My baby's heartbeat dropped to below 40 and the situation had become critical.

Had they listened to me 4 hours ago maybe my placenta wouldn't have abrupted and caused the blood loss and stress to my baby.

After the c section, I was wheeled back to the delivery suite to be greeted by a midwife seemingly demanding I breastfeed my baby. I had been pumped full of drugs and suffered extreme dehydration, couldn't move and was barely able to talk.

She continually put pressure on me and refused to help me bottle feed my baby. This was the start of things to come.

The only pleasant midwives, in my experience, were the students. I discharged myself within 48 hours due to the poor treatment I received.

To name a few issues, I was shouted at, prescribed medication unsuitable for someone with Asthma and refused different pain relief for 36 hours, given a blood pressure test on an arm with a drip in it which exploded, stabbed in the arm with an injection with such force it instantly bruised, not shown where any facilities were, not given water as I was on a drip and apparently didn't need any more fluid.

The staff continually walked in my room without introducing themselves or explaining what they were there to do. I witnessed a midwife shout at another member of staff across my room and then she proceeded to speak badly of her in front of me. At no point was I shown how to change, dress or feed my baby.

I could write so much more about my experience, but the bottom line is in my opinion people should not use the maternity services at this hospital.