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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:
tangerinesarenottheonlyfruit · 18/02/2016 13:38

Do they have a medical reason for induction?

I was induced - well augmented actually which is I think what you are talking about - i.e. induced once labour started.

The pain was more manageable on my labour with no induction. Induction by syntocin drip (is that what they want to give you?) is no walk in the park. If it is the drip, then you can forget about any ideas of water birth, and you may well get a MW who wants you on your back for continuous monitoring which makes the whole process harder.

If there was a medical reason i'd go for induction again. But if it's just that you want to speed things up ease think long and hard, having been there I certainly wouldn't do again it just to speed things up. I was I labour - while being induced - for the best part of a day anyway so I can't say it even sped things up that much for me!

tangerinesarenottheonlyfruit · 18/02/2016 13:39

*please not ease!

Loveleopardprint · 18/02/2016 14:19

I was induced with my second DD. The midwife told me I was just having niggles until she graciously decided to check. Nine minutes later my daughter was nearly born in the lift between the ward and delivery suite.
Good luck!!

CalliopeTorres · 18/02/2016 14:23

Ah fair enough although the whole overnight stay thing doesn't sound like it was the most restful thing for you. Hope you get the best outcome for you and baby. Good luck!

Lj8893 · 18/02/2016 14:24

Dojo I understand why you feel that way but undiagnosed breechs happen 3-4% in term deliverys. Which suggests that yes they can tell by palpation how a fetus is presenting but of course there are times when it's not possible or is palpated incorrectly. So no, a scan isn't necessary for all women.

witsender · 18/02/2016 14:25

Induced at only just 40wks? That may well be a lengthy process. I'd hold off for now if I were you. The due date business is so ropey you're not really 'overdue' until 42wks.

Lj8893 · 18/02/2016 14:26

Not a chance I would be induced unless there was a high medical need to be induced. But do your research OP and make the right decision for yourself, good luck whatever you choose Flowers

TattyDevine · 18/02/2016 14:29

They can be so patronising.

My waters broke and one midwife witnessed it, but due to the way I was progressing (or not, as it were) the next midwife didn't believe me and said I'd probably just wet myself (!). She must have told the consultant my waters hadn't broken, as the consultant was under the impression they hadn't. I told the consultant they had and the midwife did this weird slow shaking of her head from side to side with a cats bum mouth.

Anyway the consultant managed to work out that the waters had in fact broken and hit the roof (it was relevant for some reason).

Stupid midwife, why the hell wouldn't you believe someones waters had gone when they'd had 2 prostin etc...why not take the word for it FFS or ask your colleague? It's so ridiculous.

PatMullins · 18/02/2016 14:40

I wish they'd scanned me, DD might not have been born head and feet first...

Good luck OP and get some rest!

PerspicaciaTick · 18/02/2016 14:45

sstewart2016 - now is the time to get moving and walking. Stand up and write the letters of the alphabet with your pelvis. Lean on a chair seat with your bum stuck out and keep wiggling your pelvis. Go for another walk. Have some food, maybe a nap too. Your contractions have been useful, only another 1 or 2 cm and you'll be off to the labour ward.
I was induced early, it took 4 days for me to give birth. I rather enjoyed the whole process, but it was very slow to get moving. If they offer you an epidural because they are planning to put you on a Syntocinon drip, think hard about accepting it, the contractions triggered by the drip can be very intense.

Lj8893 · 18/02/2016 14:48

^^ very good advice from tick

DinoSnores · 18/02/2016 16:38

Just wanted to add a good early induction story.

I was induced at 39 weeks because of complications for the baby - total labour time was about 3-4 hours, pushing for 5 minutes.

I did have the syntocinon drip, but I was encouraged to be as active as I could until they had repeated problems monitoring the baby's heartbeat and a scalp clip was used and I ended up having to sit on the bed to stop it falling off. After that, I had a lovely epidural that meant I could still feel and move my legs (not sure I would have been safe to stand).

DinoSnores · 18/02/2016 16:40

Should add that that was my third delivery. I have false labour pains for weeks before every evening that then settle, but then labour has always been very speedy for me, so I am assuming that all those contractions have been doing something to get me ready!

skinoncustard · 18/02/2016 16:47

My DD was in hospital for exactly 33 mins before my GD was born . ( first baby!) that was after being sent home 2 hours previously as not in labour at all !!!!! Thankfully she was not born in the rush hour traffic.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 18/02/2016 16:58

We need a We Believe You campaign for midwives I think.

I'm someone with a reasonably high pain threshold and quick labours.

Had DC1 with no pain relief and one student midwife in attendance.
Had DC2 in a curtained cubicle on a ward because no one thought I was at the needing a room stage.
Had DC3 with one midwife in attendance. She was most irate that I struggled to hop up onto the chest high bed about 5 minutes before I gave birth.
Had DC4 at home with 3 lovely midwives, though one went home at her change of shift about 15 minutes before I gave birth, because she reckoned I'd be hours yet.

You need to be screaming before a midwife will take you seriously.

Lj8893 · 18/02/2016 17:07

Tinkly, I do agree that a lot of midwives just equate labour to screaming.
I'm a student midwife and I rarely see/hear screaming to be honest, in fact I've learnt that the women who are screaming in pain usually arnt in active labour at all!

Every woman is different, but there is usually a distinct change in behaviour which indicates an imminent birth. I can't explain it but I've noticed it numerous times now, although it does help if Ive met the woman pre-labour or in early labour to really differentiate her behaviour signals!

I've been lucky so far to work with midwives who also work in this way, I just wish all midwives did!!

I was sent on to the postnatal ward in a private room when I was in labour as I was only 2cm on arrival at the hospital. Dd was born less than an hour later! The midwife that sent me away was pretty shocked, whereas the midwife who was working on the postnatal ward who discovered dd was being born was absolutely appalled I had been sent away!

whatevva · 18/02/2016 17:19

I wasn't in any pain with DTDs - no idea why, DS1 was more uphill! But he was 3 hrs.

I rang the midwife 4.30am to say that I was 35 wks with twins, and having contractions every 3 minutes and she said to come in at 9am!!

I went in anyway, and it turns out they were still only keeping me 'comfortable' for the days staff to deal with at 9am Confused. So it was a surprise when I had them. Total chaos after that. Thankfully, they were pretty much self-delivering.

It turns out I have known the midwife in a social situation for the last 10 years Shock; had no idea it was her until recently and I told her someone else delivered them Blush. I am still cross about it over 20 years later.

ollieplimsoles · 18/02/2016 17:22

I had a positive induction op, and my cervix was tight shut when they started it!

tangerinesarenottheonlyfruit · 18/02/2016 20:26

sstewart2016 you've gone quiet, I hope that's a good sign and you're in labour, or even better meeting your new baby.

Wishing you all the best.

witsender · 18/02/2016 20:32

I had a classic second labour after a long, intervention laden first. Woke up with mild contractions at 2330, put tens on. Wandered around. Went for a wee at midnight, waters went. Chatted to hospital on phone for 10 minutes at this time or thereabouts during which she told me I obviously wasn't far on. Hung up, walked into living room. Told DH at about 1220 that I thought I was pushing, could he check in with mat ward again? Midwife tells him to call ambulance and find towels, paramedic arrives and is in some doubt that we will even get out of the house, DS appears in ambulance, all 9lbs11oz of him. Just under 1.5 hrs from first twinge to placental delivery.

So yes, sometimes you can be pretty chatty and unaware until more or less the last minute!

Original poster
sstewart2016 · 18/02/2016 20:48

Still here, came back to hospital at 7.30 as contractions have got so much worse and they are 6 minutes apart. Annoyingly no inductions are hoping tonight as the Labour ward has no water 😠 so just have to wait it out, currently on one of those huge balls and its easing the pain

OP posts:
Original poster
sstewart2016 · 18/02/2016 20:54

I don't want an induction but something is telling me this is going to be very long, my body doesn't seem to be moving along very fast Confused

OP posts:
Lj8893 · 18/02/2016 21:08

Quite normal for a first labour stewart the latent phase (early labour before you get to about 4cm which is classed as active) can be very painful and last ages.

ollieplimsoles · 18/02/2016 21:15

keep at it op! You're doing great to keep posting on here- keeps you in the real world!

witsender · 18/02/2016 21:18

Honestly, this is very normal. Your body is learning all sorts of new stuff, and is stretching and preparing. An induction may not be much quicker, but synto induced contractions can be very intense and painful.

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