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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be a tad annoyed with maternity unit

472 replies

sstewart2016 · 17/02/2016 19:14

I phoned the maternity unit at 11am today after contracting since yesterday, they told me to come in for 5 tonight. Still contracting and I haven't been checked on
Just on a bed right next to the nurses station where I can here one nurse saying "bed 3 (me) can't possibly be in Labour she must have ate too much" is this standard Confused this is my first so no idea. Just in so much pain and not really sure what I expected Blush

OP posts:
Original poster
sstewart2016 · 23/02/2016 19:46

Oh yes I also had the heart trace on his head because the drip was making me contract too fast that I was disturbing the monitor that they'd put over my belly but I deffo didn't agree to it or the epidural, only knew about them from my notes
I've asked the other half if he gave consent and he said no, they just done it and he thought they were the best for me, he didn't really have any clue what was going on and has been quite taken aback by it all.
I'm in one in Scotland, but the next nearest one is five hours away

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 23/02/2016 19:51

If you were contracting too fast, they should have turned the drip down.

A fetal scalp monitor is not an unnecessary procedure though if your baby needs constant monitoring in labour. A monitor around the tummy can lose the heartbeat quite often and makes it difficult to be mobile, a fetal scalp monitor can make a big difference to that. Although consent is still a must!

Ubik1 · 23/02/2016 19:53

Oh op

Sad

I had a similar experience with my first. SCBU is hard. If you want to BF then tell them and get them to support you. I had to cry and eventually got the support of a SCBU nurse who advocated fur me to get the midwives to support me BF.
Are you in scotland? There will be a breastfeeding counsellor - ask for them they can help.

And be good to yourself. Flowers

PerspicaciaTick · 23/02/2016 19:55

How were you given an epidural without consenting and without realising that you had even had one? How did they explain what they were doing to you and why you needed to sit in a specific position? I am appalled that simple communication seems to have been lacking throughout your labour.

Tootsieglitterballs · 23/02/2016 19:57

Can't believe they gave you epidural without consent - unless they thought they were going to have to do a section....

I was off my face on diamorphine , had no idea what was going on, and they still made me sign a form to consent to a possible section (at least I think that's what I was signing for)

Original poster
sstewart2016 · 23/02/2016 20:14

Honestly I have no idea, all they said to my other half was 'she is struggling with the pain so we will give her an epidural'
I think I remember them saying thats what they were going to do but then I started crying because I already knew I didn't want one let alone two!
The other half is adamant I didn't sign anything he only left three times and those occasions were when I was wihout the epidural so he would know if I signed anything

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 23/02/2016 20:17

You have a massive case for legal action in that case op.

AliceThrewTheFookingGlass · 23/02/2016 20:20

Sorry I should clarify that the scalp heart rate monitor wasn't necessary in my case because he was making his appearance and was born minutes afterwards. I presume this is why the regular heart monitor was not picking it up properly. I did tell her he was coming..

WhoTheFuckIsSimon · 23/02/2016 20:22

Not all hospitals get women to sign for epidurals, mine doesn't. Verbal consent only.

Lj8893 · 23/02/2016 20:27

Ah yeah that's pretty ridiculous alice!

AliceThrewTheFookingGlass · 23/02/2016 20:29

They wanted verbal consent in both different hospitals I gave birth in. I have never had to sign anything in labour.

whatevva · 23/02/2016 21:11

I was never asked about a scalp clip.

The doctor (under instruction from the registrar in bed) did a VE to determine dilation (took a while; not sure he knew where cervixes are) and said pass the amnio hook to the midwife, who then suddenly remembered that she had promised to explain how things would happen and said that the registrar (from her bed) had said that if I was over 4cm, to break waters. So I thought WTF (1st labour 3 hrs, in notes) since he had his hand up my foof etc, then it was 'pass the scalp clip', which I suddenly 'had' to have and no one had mentioned Hmm. It was a waste of time because they never looked at the trace once, and I think it fell off when I went to the loo, then dd was born shortly afterwards (nearly delivered by dh as midwife had run off for her rubber gloves and the plethora of people that were supposed to be there). I was fully compos mentis throughout.

There seems to be no planning as to how they will deal with any particular birth. They just seem to follow their own protocol and tick their own boxes without regard to what is actually happening IME. A ten minute chat of what they were intending to do and what I was expecting to happen would have made a big difference. One might be able to put together a proper realistic birth plan in that case.

whatevva · 23/02/2016 21:17

Oh yes - agree with what was said above - concentrate on getting to know your little one. They make funny grimacing smiles when they are asleep. Everyone told me its wind, but it is so cute Grin. Well worth watching as much as you can.

And if he is in SCBU, take a photo every day. I didn't because all I could concentrate on was getting them back out, and I wanted to blank the experience until I could get them home and live. I was given a polaroid to take home with me when I went home without them and that is the only one for 2 weeks apart from the ones when they were born and one my dad took.

FatimaLovesBread · 23/02/2016 21:29

Did you say you'd had a 3rd degree tear op? If so I'm guessing the spinal would have been for the stitching up of that, although that should have been explained to you at the time

ToadsforJustice · 23/02/2016 21:32

I was never asked about VE, breaking waters, scalp clip, epidural, episiotomy, forceps or manual removal of placenta. It was all done to me without any consent. The MW and doctors ignored my protests. I was told I was a "silly girl" and I should let the "nice doctor do his job".

Please photograph your notes OP. If the hospital get the idea that you will persue a complaint, they will mysteriously disappear.

Good luck Thanks

Lj8893 · 23/02/2016 21:40

toads Shock that's all awful.

GruntledOne · 23/02/2016 22:26

You probably signed some sort of consent form before they did the induction. That might have included general consent for any other treatment they deemed necessary.

whatevva · 24/02/2016 09:04

No - I was not asked about manual removal of placenta either, nor was it explained to me. The first time I pushed it out normally, so it was a bit of a surprise!

Want2bSupermum · 24/02/2016 13:05

Signing a piece of paper before hand doesn't hold water here in the US. That is why when I was induced DH was by my side and they wouldn't let him leave after they broke my waters. Basically before they did anything they asked both myself and DH for consent. When I was at the point of being in agony they still asked me and DH but DH would give the answer verbally and I would nod or shake my head to signal no. IMO this was appropriate.

What helps is that foreceps are not used in the US. It's one of the reasons the CS rate is higher. The furthest they will go is a vacuum cup.

dottycat123 · 24/02/2016 18:41

You have had a terrible time, and when you feel a bit stronger you may benefit from going through your records to gain a better understanding. A similar situation happened with me first time,second birth was different,I refused to be induced. Regarding consent, if the mental capacity act applies in Scotland as it does in England then your husband couldn't consent for you,his opinion is sought but if you are considered to lack mental capacity (even temporarily) then doctors can make best interest decisions and treat. They should complete paperwork to comply with the legislation.
Hope you feel better soon x

roachslayer · 25/02/2016 00:12

LJ I'm not quite sure I've read your posts correctly: are you suggesting that a midwife would try to site an epidural?! What year are you in?

Lj8893 · 25/02/2016 06:32

No I didn't suggest that, somebody else did!! I was shocked at the suggestion!

AliceThrewTheFookingGlass · 25/02/2016 07:49

No I suggested it. Well actually I asked. I know a MW can't site an epidural, I've had two, well three if you count the one they put in wrong. But as I explained in my very next post to lj I thought I would ask anyway as with the standard of care the OP had received I wouldn't be that surprised if a MW had tried/offered to do it.

Lj8893 · 25/02/2016 13:34

Not really sure how it was read that I suggested it Confused

Shesinfashion · 25/02/2016 14:36

I managed to have a conversation with a paramedic as I delivered my DD suddenly and completely alone at home.