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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:
startthefansplease · 06/04/2012 16:59

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn as this poster has privacy concerns.

VivaLeBeaver · 06/04/2012 17:05

It's like this where I work though we do have enough chairs. I've known women have to wait 6 or 7 hours when it's busy to be seen. It is like a&e in that you accept anyone who rings/comes through the door. So some days might be quieter and other days 20 women many come through the door in a couple of hours.

It would be lovely to have more staff/more rooms so that women could be seen quicker but there just doesn't seem to be the money to do this.

GeorginaWorsley · 06/04/2012 17:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KatieMiddleton · 06/04/2012 17:23

Gosh that's poor and exactly why I'm having another home birth. Hope all ok with you and everyone else stuck waiting there.

You need to complain to your Maternity Services Liaison Committee. You local branch of the NCT has info here and they have reps that sit on your hospital's MSLC. Details here: www.nct.org.uk/branches/south-cheshire/breatfeeding-congleton/how-can-we-help You have to scroll down a bit but it has the details near the bottom.

I'd also be complaining to PALS and the Matron.

longjane · 06/04/2012 17:30

just read though the thread
hope everything is ok with the baby

AlmaMartyr · 06/04/2012 17:43

YANBU. Just read this thread Shock. That is awful, do complain. Hope everything is OK with your baby and you get to relax properly later.

BlackEyed · 06/04/2012 17:47

Thanks for your concern everyone.

Baby does indeed seem to be distressed :(
the midwife explained the heart rate is dropping when she moves which could indicate a problem with the placenta or a cord round the neck.

Being kept in overnight and will have a scan in the morning to see what is going on. If suspicions are correct I will be induced tomorrow.

Very scary and worrying :(

My partner is on the way here with my overnight things and labour bag just in case and am just waiting to be moved to the ward.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 06/04/2012 17:49

I'm just so glad your baby is okay at the moment. Can you push for a scan today?

trixie123 · 06/04/2012 17:49

fingers crossed for you. Hope all is ok. Did the man get off the chair? (sorry, skipped some pages!)

AbigailAdams · 06/04/2012 17:54

Fingers crossed Blackeyed. Hope you and you little one are OK overnight.

Tiredmumno1 · 06/04/2012 17:54

OP you should try and push to get the scan done today

IDontWantToBeFatAnymore · 06/04/2012 17:55

Bloody hell Sad.

PLease don't wait for a scan, demand it now or get them to sign something saying they take repsonsibility if anything goes wrong.

BlackEyed · 06/04/2012 17:56

Georgina _ that's very kind of you. The midwife who dealt with me was lovely and it's such a shame that she was getting it in the neck from annoyed people when she was doing all she could.

Is there a staffing problem at Leighton at the moment? That seemed to be the big problem today, one midwife can only do so much!

They must of had other midwifes attending to the women in actual labour but there was just one midwife dealing with the triage ladies, and she was having to answer the phone and door as well!

On another note, who had the genius idea to put the temp labour, post natal and neonatal wards in the mental health department? Is it a hint of times to come for the mums to be? :)

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 06/04/2012 17:56

Fingers crossed all is well. And do complain loud and clear as soon as you know baby is okay. That is appalling care.

TheCunningStunt · 06/04/2012 17:57

Goodluck op! Sounds horrendous but I hope it all works out

clucky80 · 06/04/2012 17:58

I really hope that things settle overnight BlackEyed. Like others have said on here, I would definitely push for a scan today and make sure that in the meantime you have the monitoring frequently, they have already been far too blase with your care. Good luck, thinking of youx

scattergun · 06/04/2012 18:00

BlackEyed, if your baby is in distress and presumably has been all day, I'd ask them exactly what the purpose is in delaying delivery. At 38 weeks, he/she is at term but clearly struggling. If there's no realistic prospect the situation will improve (which they cannot say without precisely pinpointing the reason for distress), I'd be insisting on immediate delivery. I'm really sorry to be dramatic (hopefully melodramatic) but why wait?

BlackEyed · 06/04/2012 18:00

Scanning department is closed now, plus no matter what it shows they wouldn't induce until morning anyway so makes no difference when they do it.

They didn't seem overly concerned to be honest which is good I suppose.

Heart beat will continue to be monitored during the night, hope they have more than one monitor or some ladies in triage are going to have an even longer wait!

OP posts:
JaneFonda · 06/04/2012 18:00

I agree with others, push for the scan today - don't take their word for it.

How appalling that you were kept standing for over four hours. :(

Good luck to you and baby, I'm sure everything will be fine! :)

Wolfiefan · 06/04/2012 18:01

Wow. Has it really taken them 6 hours to decide your baby isn't happy. What a dreadful standard of care. Wishing you well tonight. Take care BlackEyed.

takingiteasy · 06/04/2012 18:02

Just read the whole thread, what a day you've had. Hope everything is ok, you seem to be dealing with everything very well.

Oh and YAMDNBU.

ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged · 06/04/2012 18:03

Good luck. Are you staying on the monitor? Presumable they will scan /induce /operate tonight if they need to?

BlackEyed · 06/04/2012 18:06

Thanks everyone.

Yes I am UNIVERSALLY, not on it now as waiting to be moved but will be going back on it once on the ward so I assume if baby deteriorates they will take action as needed.

OP posts:
pumpkinsweetie · 06/04/2012 18:07

You have been treated appallingly today, hope your babys heart beat becomes betta and that everything works out well.
IMO because you are 38 weeks i cant see why they are leaving you on the monitor instead of inducing/prep emc

ThisWeekonFancyJesus · 06/04/2012 18:08

Absolutely shocking standard of care Sad

Hope you have a nice uneventful night Blackeyed will be thinking of you and sending positive vibes