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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think a 4 hour wait is ridulous!

331 replies

BlackEyed · 06/04/2012 12:16

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.

OP posts:
pumpkinsweetie · 06/04/2012 15:54

Stay put, make sure your baby is checked before leaving incase he or she is in distress, are you allowed to go for a walk until its your time to be seen?-or would that take you of the waiting list?

BlackEyed · 06/04/2012 15:54

Woo hoo just 1 lady now then me.

Well unless anyone else turns up in labour, maybe I should barricade the door. They can give birth in the carpark I have waited long enough ;)

OP posts:
pinkyp · 06/04/2012 15:55

Hope u get seen soon Smile poor woman with the 3yr old prob had no other option

BlackEyed · 06/04/2012 15:55

No idea pumpkin but I'm fine anyway, been having a waddle up and down the corridor and mumsnet is thankfully keeping me sane.

OP posts:
marriedinwhite · 06/04/2012 15:57

I'd have phoned the CEO's office or PALs from where you are and I woudl have invited someone to come and see the conditions in which you are expected to wait. furthermore, I would have noted formally that I had been sent because the midwife suspected my baby was distressed and if anything happened during the four wait, I would be holiding the hospital responsible.

Katiebeau · 06/04/2012 16:00

This is just dreadful! I went to Watford for monitoring due to the same thing, it was being remodelled, it was busy. I was on a machine within 10 minutes. Leighton was shocking 15 yrs ago, looks like it's not changed. Good luck I hope all is well.

BlackEyed · 06/04/2012 16:11

I'm next, I'm next, I'm next!

Doing a happy dance now, midwife just told me I'm next as she called another lady through.

Got a slightly annoyed glare from another lady who was here before me though.

Things seem to be moving quicker now so hopefully I'll be seen in the next 30 mins.

OP posts:
granule · 06/04/2012 16:11

Those waiting conditions are shocking. I'm really cross for you. I may still be waiting but at least I'm on a bed ( we'll not mention the frotting couple or the bloke who has just bought in fish and chips for his partner. Urgh)

Do all the pg women have chairs now?

piprabbit · 06/04/2012 16:13

Perhaps you should have asked them to sign a form accepting responsibility if anything untoward happened while you were waiting for 4 hours, on your feet, in a hot and confined space.

I hope you get seen very, very soon and that baby is bouncing!

GoblersKnob · 06/04/2012 16:15

Hope you get seen soon op and that all is well.

Would second phoning PALS and putting in a complaint, they really are astonishingly helpful.

AbigailAdams · 06/04/2012 16:19

I think you are being exceptionally well behaved and patient. I would be raging having had to stand and wait that long. Sarky passive aggressive remarks would be tripping off my tongue.

I do feel so sorry for the woman with the 3yr old though. She'll be worried, stressed and have everyone's eyes on her (not that this is competitive misery or anything but you gotta feel for her).

Good luck. Hope you are seen very soon and it is good news!

Pippinintherain · 06/04/2012 16:22

Outrageous.

Hope you get seen very soon and all is well with baby.

ChippingInNeedsCoffee · 06/04/2012 16:24

I hope you are being seen now & that everything is fine :)

There isn't a cat in hells chance I'd be having my baby there, I'd sooner do it at home alone.

PestoPenguin · 06/04/2012 16:25

Email a link to this thread to PALS and ask them for the hospital's feedback on how it think's they've handled you and the other waiting patients today and whether they tthink this is appropriate.

[email protected]

Smile
changeforthebetter · 06/04/2012 16:30

So sorry you are going through this shittiness.

Hope everything goes well with the birth and baby emerges safe and sound - you are incredibly patient btw Smile

Ribbet · 06/04/2012 16:32

Beefn following this thread all pm- good luck OP!

nancerama · 06/04/2012 16:34

You should also request a meeting with the head of midwifery at the hospital. Take along your birth plan and get her reassurance that women in labour are being taken a whole lot more seriously than you were today.

I did this at my hospital, she wrote all over my notes about what should and should not happen to me. I was treated like a queen when I was in labour and during my time on the postnatal ward - as all women should be. I don't know if it made any difference, but it probably helped.

I hope all is fine with you and little one.

GeorginaWorsley · 06/04/2012 16:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Want2bSupermum · 06/04/2012 16:38

Are you at Wythenshaw hospital by chance?

Want2bSupermum · 06/04/2012 16:41

Ahh see you are in Crewe - well don't go to Wythenshaw because it isn't much better. Countess is probably the best.

marriedinwhite · 06/04/2012 16:45

Georgina Worsley how can the maternity matron be great if she thinks it is acceptable for heavily pregnant women to stand for hours on end in a confined space? If she were great, surely she would have ensured the seating arrangements were adequate within her specialism. That is basic courtesy, not rocket science.

SarahStrattonsEasterName · 06/04/2012 16:50

Sounds like hell, I'd have called the local newspaper by now :(

BlackEyed · 06/04/2012 16:50

Finally on a monitor!
Been here 4 and a half hours now and to the poster who asked, no all the pregnant ladies don't have chairs. There is only 3. I stood for the last 4 and a half hours.

Georgina _ I am sure the rest of the hospital is fine, I had no complaints 9 years ago when I had my children but the way labour ward is being run during the refurb is disgusting.

Will be complaining to anyone who will listen once I know all is ok with baby.

Going to turn phone off now in case it interferes with the monitor but will update soon.

Thanks everyone for keeping me occupied during the wait!

OP posts:
RandomMess · 06/04/2012 16:54

Hope all is okay!

OhDoAdmitMrsDeVere · 06/04/2012 16:54

I hope you are seen soon Sad

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