To Ask for your experiences of post natal wards

[RozziPringle]

Mine was Noisy and hot with incredibly overworked midwives. The most memorable incident was around 12 hours after a c-section i was made to get out of bed to walk along 5 corridors to shower, doubled over in agony. When i told the widwife i wasnt going to make it and i felt faint she tutted and muttered about me been lazy under her breath.
There were some fantastic midwives Don't get me wrong but they seemed few and far between.
Im due to give birth in 3 weeks and im dreading going through all this again

(Ooops sorry for essay!)

Only on page 7 so far but just had to post..

Catgirl Im not quite sure how to take you?

What exactly makes you more important than everyone else on the ward?

No way would I want your DH there on the ward at 2am when I hobble in my blood soaked nightie across to the toilet

The first at RUH Bath, shocking. As it was first baby and labour ward was busy, I couldn't possibly be in labour and was told to walk the corridors even though in LOTS of pain. Ended up crowning in the lift, where I eventually saw a midwife and delivered.

Transferred to a low risk local hospital for post natal care, amazing! Have lovely memories of sitting in sun on ward with ten other new mums having tea and cake bought around by HCPs and one on one help to bath, feed and even change nappies. Stayed for four days.

Second birth at Plymouth, was excellent. Had a student midwife and her teaching midwife. Stayed with me from admission, birth and till transfer to post natal. Very calm experience. Post natal ward was manic though..

I have two daughters. I'll whore myself before I allow them to give birth here, and I've no shortage of old fools who'll pay for that service.

DS1 - long induced labour at RUH Bath - couldn't fault antenatal, delivery or post natal care. He was born late (11pm ish) and I transferred out the next morning to the smaller midwife led unit for a few days to get bf established. Awesome care there (Devizes), lots of feeding help all hours of day and night, even once I'd left. No community midwife visits, had to go back to the unit every other day for checkups. Only slight niggle in that they wouldn't believe my stitches were infected and I had to trek to an OOH gp with a 6 day old baby to get some antibiotics - other than that, all good. Epidural requested at 5pm, doc in room by 5 mins past!

DS2, Southmead in Bristol - great care throughout again. Had a bank midwife for delivery as they were stretched but fab post delivery care by lovely HCA. Overnight stay because he arrived in the silly hours - ward was ok. Not as clean as I'd like but nothing terrible. Again lots of support from the staff, bells answered promptly and food surprisingly good!

Both reasonably straightforward deliveries though so I was able to look after myself for much of the time. I was fully oriented to ward, meal times & procedures, staff etc. both times (2006 & 2007).

First time - own room which you'd think was great, but ds screamed and screamed and dh wasn't allowed to take him out of room to give me a break. Food unrecognisable (as said already) and disturbed at silly times to fit their routines, but no help when needed. Was on floor with exhaustion and hunger when got home 3 days later.
With ds2 said in delivery room wanted to go straight home given previous experience. Persuaded that had to wait for paediatrician and they needed the room so had to wait on post-natal ward - for 12 hours. In end we packed up to walk out and made to leave under our own steam. Paediatrician magically appeared 10 minutes later.
Third time again said in delivery room that we were off but also said we were not going to a ward to wait we would come back for an appointment to get dd checked over. Got to wait five hours in delivery room with no sheets, blankets, pillows or whatever for comfort. Thankfully dh had brought in his coat so had something to keep me warm (room was quite cold). Got home 3 hours later than we would have liked.

I think a campaign for better postnatal care is well overdue - especially for those with traumatic births/c-sections.

I already tried to write down my experiences on this post and I can't. Two years later and I still start shaking - I've been in tears. I have never felt so alone, so vulnerable and so verbally abused. Grotty food I can live with.

After 15 months I had a debrief and the head midwife said my experience had been appalling and that helped me move on. Just mentioning that so people know you can get help a long time after the event.

I cannot fault the midwives at my birth - they were amazing. I also can't help but notice that a lot of the people commenting on good pn care were either only in for a few hours or had uncomplicated births.

I didn't want to be treated like I was in a hotel - just some dignity and compassion.

Couldn't have had a more different experience at Colchester General, loudlass. All the midwives there were very nice and the HCP's were too. The obstetricians put me at ease and made me feel really comfortable whilst I was having my ELCS. I did however make them discharge me the next day because I can't bear to be in hospitals and I don't sleep in them at all.

However, when I had DS at North Middlesex Hospital in it was awful really. I had pre-eclampsia, then DS turned breech at the last minute so I had an EMCS. They then put me in a room by myself which felt like a prison cell, when I rang the buzzer for help, I was told to 'stop doing it as it was for emergencies only'... I'd had a c-section like 6 hours ago, it was agony just sitting up, let alone trying to get up, bend down and pick DS up!

In the end, I forced myself up and out of the bed, I had been lying in a blood clot for about 45 minutes and couldn't take it anymore, a midwife comes in and tries to get me to lay down. I said to her 'I'm not laying in this bed anymore, you aren't helping me, I'm not allowed to press the buzzer for help so I'm getting up and doing it myself.' I made them discharge me the next day, they were very reluctant too as my BP was still very high. Miraculously, my blood pressure was completely next to normal the next day when the midewife came and checked it on the home visit. Awful hospital

You know some of the "not allowed" comments, particularly the ones about food, what happens if you quietly and politely flout them?

BagofHolly I'm curious about that too. Tbh I have no idea if I was allowed food or not, having had previous experience staying in this particular hospital I was sure to pack some food in my bag and DH brought me some as well. (obviously nothing smelly or unclean!)

I can't believe people have to go days without eating, that must violate some kind of rule or regulation.

ds1 was fab and it was in for 4 days with your first and was very relaxed .

Ds2 well had him at 5am home for 10am and grumbled as had to go onto postnantal to wait for discharge and was tired out but course was morning and everyone else awake

Dd was very hard was in a bay of 6 had emergency C section and dd was fighting for her life in scubu wa snot even allowed to touch her .$other mums on same bay .had their babys with them .If not for the other mum on the ward do not now how would got through it.struggled for food and if was not back froom scubu there was nothing available not even a biscuit .

Ds3 csection and the staff were lovely

IME, if you flout the rules and get caught you get shouted at and humiliated for doing so. I am however this time planning to take food in as 48hrs is a long time to go without anything. This was time in labour plus the time I couldn't walk after my eventual emcs. I mean couldn't walk in terms of still couldn't feel my legs after epidural.

I have to say all these stories are making me feel so awful for the ladies having to go through that. And I can totally understand why at the time you just sit and take it because you're in shock.
My post natal care was amazing for both of my DC's.
DS was born at St Mary's Maternity in Poole. I was induced, checked on every hour when I went into delivery I had the same midwife who stayed with me all night and a student midwife who was wonderful. For my post natal care I went to Bournemouth Hospital (for 7 days after due to problems with me bf'ing) and the midwives there were so lovely, helping me with everything. Helped me try and bf and didn't get annoyed when I switched to formula (I wasn't making enough milk for ds and he was losing weight). They made sure I ate enough and even brought my DH some dinner too which I thought was nice.
DD I had at St Marys too. My birth was amazing. I was allowed to go in the water even after being told by my mw that I probably wouldn't be allowed to due to my weight. And I had to have an operation after dd was born and they were wonderful with me, calming me down because I was scared and keeping my DH informed of how I was doing. Had my after care there too, was checked every few hours at night. Went home the next day. Honestly couldn't fault a single thing.

FrenchRuby, your post has made me rather sad. I think it's very sad that you describe your care as "amazing" when actually it looks to me like you received what should be a basic standard of care. And (and this is not a dig, I must make that clear) there will be plenty reading your post and shaking their heads at the BF advice/support you got.
Very pleased to hear you had a good experience.

And the food thing? I was STARVING hungry through most of my pregnancy and they would have had to have dragged my sandwiches from my rigor morticed fingers...but then I'm stroppy if not fed regularly.

Haven't read whole thread, but had to post.

I am horrified that this poor care is still going on...I had my two twenty and eighteen years ago and the PN ward was dreadful both times.

First time after forceps and ventouse, PN haemorrhage I went for a bath and when I got back to my bed my baby had gone! I still remember the wave of utter panic that swept over me. I went rushing to the nurses' station and was told that she had been taken for something or other and I had been told!! I can still feel that panic now all these years later.

Second time after another bloody forceps delivery, trying to feed baby who would not come off the breast after two hours during night I went to nurses' station again to asked for help and was asked 'well what would you do if you were at home???'. Could not believe the nastiness of the staff.

A friend who I did not know well at that time was in at the same time, and she was having big problems trying to feed her baby, had begged for some help. I heard this and saw that no-one went to help her, so I went and helped her to latch on and feed.

The staff were really horrid and uncaring and still all these years later I can remember the utter hopelessness I felt.

And it's not just PN wards...I went into the same hospital for an operation a few years later, and was left in the same blood stained and filthy bedding post-op for the whole stay. The staff all bullied one poor nurse who did everything, while the others did nothing.

So shame on you YORK DISTRICT HOSPITAL. YES YOU!!!

I lost my appitite for the last month of my pregnancy and after the birth and often forgot to eat so they made sure I remembered to eat.
With the bf'ing thing I don't mean they were just like 'Oh ok here you go' they gave me support while I was struggling bf'ing and when I came to the decision to switch to formula they made sure I was positive and gave me all the info from both sides. I had a horrible experience of a mw who when I said I wasn't sure if I was bf'ing or ff'ing she gave me a massive lecture, I felt like I was being told off. I came out of the appointment crying because I thought if I couldn't bf then I would be a bad mum.

Horrible Filthy room bloodspattered walls and dirty bathrooms -2 sets of midwives present so no excuse Doctors not good virtually had to do the thing ourselves Both of us transfered to another hospital where they agreed we had had bad care-costa fortune The nhs wastesmoney due to bad clincal care NEVER HAVE ANOTHER BABY

Another vote hear for Level 6 of the John Radcliffe, Oxford - I am a T1 diabetic, and spent weeks there both times ante-natally and post, so knew everyone - it was like a big family, with a low turnover of staff so they knew me second time round too. I was on first name terms with them all. I think a lot of it is down to how good/bad your pg is. Because I had camplications, and emcs, after nine months of hell the fact that the food was shite didn't matter. And I had to eat it for over a month! Sure, the bathrooms weren't too clean - who cares? Me and my baby, after all this time, were fine, and nothing else mattered.

My care from start to finish was superb - but I think that is down to the unique nature of level 6, and the fact that you were known. On that ward miracles happened every day, and everyone was really close - staff and patients.

I owe my life, and that of my two kids (now 7 and 9) to Prof Redman and his team. I am prond to be a Silvertstar mum (name of the clinic).

Some of you have awful stories - but it seems that knowledge is power, as a lot of you have said you knew better with no 2/3. The cards the OP mentioned sound a good idea, so that you know what to do/expect. Things like getting your own food when you can helps the mw a lot - but you have to know that! It seems obvious to me that they are not going to bring you food, they are far too busy but if they told you that it would help.

I spent so long on the ward that before I had my first baby they would give me admin jobs to do - stamping things, putting letters in envelopes, etc, just to pass the time!

I hope we can change things. Any other silverstar mums out there?!

I had to have a EMCS after an afternoon of induced labour - By the time I got back up to the ward I was on my own with my DS on a ward for 8 people, it was horrible, no DH no Mum - I couldn't pick my DS up, he was 11lb13oz so was particularly difficult to lift after a spinal, called for the MW who was quick to offer to "Take him for a walk" - she came back after about 30 minutes and asked if I wanted her to give him some formula from a cup which I agreed to, he finally stopped crying and had a sleep for about 4 hours - By which time there was another lady opposite me.

We were both moved to another part of the ward and I was put with 3 other women who all bottlefed - their DCs all slept right through the night- mine didn't, I cried so quietly to myself, I sat and fed him and fed him and fed him - eventually a tea lady came in and sat next to me and comforted me, she really looked after me for a good hour, bringing me about 3 cups of tea ha ha

When she left, I got up to go to the loo and when I got back another mother was complaining to the MW about my DS who was crying (because I had put him down to go to the loo) and the MW said "Oh, she's trying to bloody breastfeed that monster of a child, I'll offer her a bottle to shut him up" I felt like screaming "I wont feed my child fucking formula so he HAS to sleep because he is too full to stay awake"

The next time I needed the loo, I went to the MWs station with my baby in his cot, I asked if they could watch him whilst i went and her words to me were"Why would I look after your child? You do know I wont be there when you get home dont you?!?" I apologised and took him with me, I felt so fucking stupid, I should have said "NO but my DH will be and I'm pretty sure he would be ok for 5 minutes whilst I have a wee and change the THREE pads its taking me not to bleed all over the floor!"

• Everyone else was great, most of them congratulated me on BFing and since nobody else seemed to be doing it, I got quite a lot of help from the MWs about it. Since I had DS, the whole maternity department has changed, everyone gets a single room with toilet and it has 8-8 visiting hours, that is the only reason I would ever have another DC (Just had coil though so am hoping places get even better ha ha)

I agree with the idea of having like a general information sheet from each hospital, perhaps with the bounty pack? Like a list of Dos and Donts perhaps?

Ds born over 21 years ago and I can still remember every awful minute of labour and postnatal care. Had DD at home, when people said 'ooh you are brave/reckless to have a home birth' I just said that from my previous experience hospital was the dangerous choice and I was a dams sight safer at home.

Postnatal care at home was fantastic - wonderful community midwives, DH, mum, friends, I did nothing but breastfeed, rest and play with dcs for weeks.

Apart from the death of my father, the 5 nights I spent on the PN ward at St Thomas Hospital, London in December 2004 with ds1 was, without a doubt, the worse experience in my life so far. Seriously, I am not over exaggerating and I am not being a drama queen. It was degrading and humiliating and had a lasting impact on my life.

The next 2 births were at a local hospital and I didn't have to go tostay on the PN ward, but in fairness, it seemed a lot better.

I've worked in health care for 11 years so understand problems with staffing levels etc, however I've never been rude, nasty or just plain aggressive to patients even when they have been all of the above to me.

I must say that out of all the bad mw I met there were far more good ones trying to do the best they could under difficult circumstances.

However it doesn't make up for the fact that refusing to do such an easy thing ( checking if I was dilating/ phoning a doc as I was having a cs anyway) resulted in cord prolapse and cs under general. I only saw this mw once after that, which was the night ds 3 was born, she said will you did know there was a risk of cord prolapse, if I hadn't been so upset and ill I might have told her where to go , as it was I was speechless!

Care during labour with DC1 at the Royal Bolton Hospital was non-existent, finally seen by a MW when fully dilated despite begging for help for several hours, delivery suite staff rude and bullying and refused all requests for pain relief.

Post-natal ward dirty and understaffed, I arrived on the ward at 10pm and wasn't spoken to until 7am the next morning. I was then told that I had to stay in for 48 hours if I wanted to establish breastfeeding, fortunately my CMW saw how distressed I was and discharged me.

Although my experience isn't bad compared to many I cried daily for months afterwards.

I believe the MLU which has opened since is much better, but I wasn't brave enough to find out - DC2 and DC3 were born at home.

Yeah, haven't got fond memories of PN care. In intensive care, with DS, asked the nurse if my baby looked ok as I thought he looked a funny colour through the perspex cot. She replied curtly. There I was, being monitored for everything and worried and she didn't give a monkeys, glad when a philipino nurse arrived and treated me lovely. Could not wait to get out. Spent 2 weeks in after. (1month total).

The second time I waited all the next day(until the evening)so I could get up, have catheter take out and take a shower. Just so I could feel human again! They were so busy and couldn't get to me. (2weeks total).