To think a 4 hour wait is ridulous!

[BlackEyed]

Been to see my midwife this morning, am 38 Weeks pregnant. The midwife was a little concerned as babys heart rate is dropping at times and so she may be in distress.

She told me to go straight to labour ward to be checked. They operate a triage system where it's a first come, first serve system unless an obvious emergency.

Just arrived to be told the wait time is 4 hours. Best hope the baby isn't in distress as if so who knows what could happen in 4 hours!

There are 5 other women here, including one pregnant with twins and bleeding heavy and one clearly in labour who has just been ushered into the room. I hope there not expecting her to wait!

There is only 3 chairs in a room more suitable to being a cupboard and people are standing in corridors, sitting on floors etc.

This is because it's in the process of refurbishment. It's a terrible hospital anyway and really didn't think it could get any worse but it clearly has.

Anyone in the Cheshire area will know what hospital I am talking about.

Now I'm terrified at the prospect of giving birth here in the next 2 Weeks, surely this is dangerous and they shouldn't be allowed to operate so poorly.

I understand there is work on and it's a busy time etc. but AIBU to expect a certain standard no matter what and to think that waiting 4 hours for something that could be really serious is not meeting that.

A&E have a 4 hour turnaround so they probably see it as reasonable.

TBH at least you are there so if anything happens (and that goes for the other patients) you are in the right place. The woman in labour could be hours literally.

Hopefully you'll be seen before the 4 hours and hope all goes well for you.

Hope everything's OK, Blackeyed.

Yes but A&E operate by seeing people in order of importance not first come, first serve.

With pregnancy the only way to know that is further investigations. If the baby is in distress me sitting here won't help, I have no way of knowing if the baby is deteriorating over the next 4 hours.

The lady could be in labour hours yes but should she be on her hands and knees in a corridor surrounded by expectant mums and their partners?

Have they put you on a monitor?

Do they do mobile monitors?

Blimey I hope everything is okay

Hope everything is okay.

Try not to worry - chances are that you will get seen before then anyway.

x

On her hands and knees in a corridor

OP YANBU about any of it.

Best thing you can do OP is to stay calm. Is there someone with you? Can you bury head in a magazine & pretend none of this is happening? is there another hospital you can go to?

Hope you get seen soon.

Did your midwife not ring to say she suspected the baby might be in distress?

Have you got a number for midwife? You could ring her and ask her to contact LW re this.
IMO 4 hours too long to wait if CMW suspected fetal distress! although bleeding twin mum sounds like she shouldn't wait either

Nope not on a monitor, that's what I'm waiting 4 hours for. My midwife gave me a sealed letter which I have handed in.

Lady in labour has just been taken through thank god, poor woman was clearly in a lot of pain. Lots of scared pregnant ladies here now lol.

Midwife has said she is the only person working the triage department! One woman has just come in and complained it took them 20 mins to buzz her in the door.

I am occupying myself with my phone so not too bored at least just worried but there are people here who definitely are more urgent than me, twin mum for one! Hope all is ok with her.

Am now focussing my efforts at glaring at the man sat on one of the 3 chairs with his partner when there are heavily pregnant women standing.

Dare you to challenge him, suggest a chair rota for the pregnant women

Tell the bloke to get up!

you dont have to give birth there you know. just go to one of the other hospitals nearby when you go into labour.

it sounds dire. i wouldn't want to give birth there. they sound massively under equipped and understaffed.

any yes, tell that man to have a bit of fucking wit and get of the chair!! cannot believe he thinks that is acceptable!!

YANBU -challenge them to why they are making u wait four hours. Your midwife sent u there u should be being monitered, i hope everything turns out ok, in think its awful making u wait this long as your baby is in distress.
Hope things get hurried along for u x

Not sure I'm brave enough to challenge him. We should start a system based on duration of pregnancy, number of babies and any conditions such as SPD and mumsnet can vote who is entitled to a chair.

I'm happier standing anyway, no window in the (broom cupboard) waiting room so it's like an oven in there.

What a rude, inconsiderate man

This is very poor care. I had quite a lot of issues in my pregnancy with ds and was sent to be checked out and monitored numerous times. I never had to wait, was greeted and dealt with almost immediately. I can't believe they haven't got a cubicle and a monitor available!! Hope evrything is OK OP. IO would consider going elsewhere for the birth.

Booyhoo _ it's the only hospital near me, next one is an hours drive away and my last labour was a total of 27 minutes so would never get there in time. Home birth is looking tempting though.

Pumpkin _ don't want to moan about waiting as like I said there are other more urgent people here who should be seen first. They need more staff is the problem.

This is a temp labour ward as the normal one is closed for refurbishment.

I completely sympathise, which I want to point out as my next comment may come off as flippant. I mean it seriously though.

If you are that uncomfortable with the hospital as it is, I was under the impression that there is nothing stopping from you from pitching up at another hospital with your notes when the time comes to give birth. I'd be considering it in your position I think.

Oh, and ask that man for his seat.

Say to the man, "excuse but it really looks like that lady there could do with sitting for a while"

New lady just arrived and been told 5 hour wait time!

you poor thing. that's really tough knowing you have to go there.

TBH when you do get seen today i would make them put it in your notes how quick your last labour was and that you will not accept being made to wait 20 minutes to be buzzed in or four hours to wait in reception. that is toatlly unacceptable. make urself a nuisance now, let them know you will be making a complaint if you are made to wait that long in labour so taht hopefully they wiill put it on your file and might hurry you along so as to avoid complaints being made. that's what i'd do anyway.

What randommess said.
Try for a home birth if you think you'll be low risk. You'll get far more help and support at home.

Man has moved!

He has gone to the vending machine and new lady quickly jumped in his seat. Was tempted to cheer :)

Maybe I should have brought my labour bag with me and got in the queue for that at the same time. Starting to feel I may still be here then anyway.

Had a lovely day out planned today as well, hope there is still time afterwards :(