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.

Would wrexham be quicker to get to? I really rate Glan Clwyd, and we're 30 mins from there. You're probably much further away though.

at 4/5 hour wait time! There is a Triage system at the hospital I had my DC at and although it is first come, first served no one ever waited that long to my knowledge, certainly not if they were bleeding heavily or baby was in distress.

Refurbishment or not, the hospital should have a better system. People don't just stop giving birth or having problems in their pregnancies because the hospital is having a face lift and it's a bank holiday!

What Hospital is it? I'm in the Cheshire area but haven't lived here long. Hope if I have anymore babies it wont be at the hospital you poor things are stuck at! Hope all is ok with you!

Oooh, do let us know what the man does when he gets back and realises someone is in 'his' seat [evil grin]

Astr_ Wrexham about 50 mins away on a good day. Could be possible if this baby isn't in as much of a rush to get out as the last one was. Have a sister who lives in Wrexham though so may think about going to stay a little while to be closer. Nice to hear decent hospitals do exist in this area.

Apparantly this hospital (Leighton in Crewe) has been in the papers as having the worst death rate in the country. Not sure how true it is, lady here just told me, scary thought though.

OP, I feel for you. I'm not based anywhere near you, but I had a similar situation in my pregnancy. I had to attend day assessment every day for monitoring, as I was overdue. The staff were brilliant and I was in and out in 60-90 minutes every time.

Unfortunately one of my visits landed on a bank holiday and I was stuck there for 9 hours. I too spent much of that time cooped up in a windowless room that was possibly doubling up as the green room for the Jeremy Kyle show. It was awful.

It turned out that the whole unit was being staffed by locums - none of the midwives or doctors were usually employed by the hospital and they had no clue how the department was run. They were actually seeing patients one by one rather than hooking 6 bumps up to monitors and taking readings from them all.

In your case this is NOT routine monitoring. You have been sent because there is concern with your condition and they are not taking you seriously. Please, please complain.

Desperately _ it's Leighton hospital in Crewe, hoping it's not your local one as well.

Although no idea what the rest of it is like. It was fine 9 years ago when my first 2 DC were born.

Man came back a while ago, didn't seem bothered actually and is now leaning against the wall instead.

Twin mum has just been called, yey!
Hope she is ok, must be very scary to be losing blood.

I think there are 4 people ahead of me now, unless any more urgent cases come in the meantime.

You might as well sit in the comfort of your own home for 4 hours, what difference is it to the baby? The situation you are in now sounds stressful and unhealthy. Why not go for your day out somewhere where there is a good hopsital nearby, and see if you can get checked out there? Bank holidays are busy enough anyway without staff shortages and building restrictions thrown into the mix!

Maybe just go to A&E? I would never normally advise this but you don't really want to leave it.

too long, sorry.

Fair_ I just asked about going home and either coming back at a less busy time / making an appointment to come back but was told they don't do appointments for monitoring, she would not recommend me going home in case it's serious and that if I were to go home I would need to sign a discharge form accepting responsibility should anything go wrong, not prepared to do that.

2 new ladies here now, one has a child around 3 or 4 years old with her. That's going to be great fun over the next few hours!

Where do you think it is?

It's Leighton hospital in Crewe.

I agree, I'd go to the next nearest hospital now. Chances are you will still get seen more quickly.

Wishing you all the best.

COCH is the hospital an hour from me, would love to go there instead but with a history of fast labours I doubt I will make it.

Wonder if I'm allowed to go any hospital for monitoring. A drive to Chester sounds better than another 2 hour plus wait.

Honestly it's dismal, and worrying

I would be tempted to drive to the other hospital now too. Can you ask for the letter back you originally gave them when you arrived? If baby is in distress they should be monitoring you now, not waiting a significant amount of time and then getting round to it.

Fingers crossed all is well and you can soon have your mind put at ease and enjoy the rest of your Easter weekend x

I'd get in your car and drive to Arrowe Park. Fantastic service there

But you're not in labour now, are you? You should be being monitored now, not in another 2 hours time. Ask for your letter back and go to the nearest good hospital.

No Sarah not in labour. Just waiting for midwife to come past so I can ask for my letter and notes back.

I meant I would love to go COCH for the birth but won't get there in time.