Guardian article about women being turned away from hospital when in labour

[Elephantgrey]

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/jan/15/i-knew-i-was-in-labour-why-are-women-being-turned-away-from-hospital-during-childbirth

This article is about women being told by midwifes that they are not in labour and being sent home from hospital when they are in labour and the baby is born shortly afterwards.

Is this something that happens a lot? I am pregnant and people with the medical condition I have are more likely to have fast labours.

Not turned away but reluctant to believe I was in well established labour as it was my first and we turned up at the hospital an hour after my waters broke. I was 8cm. Midwifes attitude was “suppose we’d better see how far along you are And then you can probably go home”. Ds was born 1 1/2 later

And I was hypnobirthing too - seems to be a common theme. Unless you’re screaming the hospital down they don’t believe you!

Ds1 they tried to send me home as was only 2cm. I was in agony so finally admitted me to ward. Went from 2cm to 10cm in under an hour. Pushed for 4hrs tho as he was back to back. Mum ended up having words with the bat of a midwife and had a ventouse delivery.

Ds2 was emergency section as waters broke before planned date. Again they were going to send me home until next day. Baby was having none of it and went into fullblown labour. Section happened within the hr

I have a condition where I cannot have a baby naturally and have to have a c section. My dd was 3 weeks away but id started having contractions, admittedly I thought they were Braxton Hicks but as they carried on until the next morning I realised that they were contractions. I rang the hospital, the advice was to take paracetamol and have a warm bath, despite telling them I absolutely cannot have a baby naturally (all confirmed with consultant). Rang my midwife, she called the hospital, went crazy at the nurses, I was there 20 minutes later and in had my baby in my arms 2 hours later.

I dread to think what would have happened if I hadn't rung my midwife and just taken the advice of the nurses on the wards.

MissDuke we lost my nephew at birth to it, so you can imagine exactly how stressed I was when they wouldn't listen to me, I knew what could happen.

baby then went through 6 hours of trying to get a Canular in because her veins kept flashing and they were getting panicky, followed by all her infection markers going up. All avoidable.

fuck knows.with dc 2, I was left on the bed I gave birth on for 6 hours cos it was a busy night and th e y were doing paperwork. I had been up since 5 and gave birth at 2am. I couldn't sleep.on the bed in case I fell off. At one point I went to beg if i could get on a ward. They finally let me 6am...the breakfast bell went at 8.ffs.

30 ish years ago - as a teenager - taken in to hospital ready to be induced the next day (baby 14 days overdue ). Mentioned to midwives that I was feeling some twinges, they tutted, rolled eyes at me and gave me 2 paracetamol and 2 sleeping tablets. I woke 2 hours later and gave birth 40 minutes after that. With no family with me.

Baby no 2: went in to hospital as soon as I felt a twinge for fear of it being even faster. Had baby standing up leaning over bed because midwife didn't believe I was actually having baby

Baby3: baby born an hour and a half after midwives believing I was in labour. I remember apologising for taken so long. I still remember the confused look the midwife gave me

Baby4: induced. Didn't look like anything was happening for aaaaages. Then I could feel it picking up. I remember someone saying that I wasn't progressing so they'd bring forceps in when they'd finished next door. I remember thinking no fucking way!! Baby born 20 mins later. Midwife still unpacking birthing pack at my feet when baby arrived after 3 minutes push time!!

Long story short: no one ever believes me when I'm in labour. On 3 occasions I was in the hospital anyway being assessed / induced or I would have been sent away.

To be honest it was similar when I had a miscarriage. I rang hospital to say that medical miscarriage was beginning to be told leave it a while. I didn't and went anyway and they were horrified at how much blood I was losing. I dread to think if I'd stayed at home according to timescale they advised.

missduke genuinely sorry if that's offensive it's a word I was brought up with meaning someone foolish and sleep walking through life. Not aware of any bad connotations! Genuinely otherwise I wouldn't have used it!

It does happen, I would investigate what the local set up is for homebirth if you're concerned about a really quick birth.

Or get dropped off at the hospital by a friend/taxi if it's during the night. Harder to be sent home if you don't have a car parked outside!

This was nearly my first birth. The problem I have is that for all 3 of my births I was 1cm for however many hours, then as soon as I start dilating, boom baby's going to be here within an hour.

I don't think that's that weird either. I have yet to live anywhere that was less than a half hour drive to the hospital. So if I didn't stay in, when I was 'only' 1cm, but definitely having real contractions, then I'd give birth in the car park.

First time we got kept in only because we had no transport and were young, next two I had home births. It seemed less stressful.

Yes to me.... I was told at 8pm to go home and come back in the morning... I said I was in too much pain so reluctantly they let me stay... told me to stop complaining....

By 11 pm I was still in pain and asked for a couple of neurofen - they casually checked me and they complained that I was fully dilated and hadn't told them!!!! Oh - and far too late for any gas and air as Id been through all the hard stuff.....

After that I had a fab midwife...

Brawne I did wonder for a minute but then saw you had other children since and my experience was therefore too recent to be you - maybe it is more common than I think! Was the only time I have came across such an amazing first labour though (sorry, probs wasn't amazing to you!) - as a midwife, I love to see labours that progress so well without intervention

Ahh fair enough Mother, sorry for taking it so personally!!!! My dd with ASD was bullied for a while and called that so maybe I am oversensitive

I remember being cheerfully not believed that I was ready to push, with all of my babies. The midwife had to hold the baby's head in with my son, because he arrived so suddenly that they hadn't got their tray ready yet. I have also been shown great kindness by midwives and staff on the maternity wards I've been in.

With my second things progressed quickly, I’d rung the unit early on to say I was in labour but wanted to stay at home a small long as possible, they were fine with that. Things just suddenly became v intense, so we went in (I don’t think we even called them back), hospital extremely busy but they found me a room and gave me gas and air. I was only 3cm on examination but I KNEW we weren’t far off. Despite not being technically in active labour they didn’t send me home, they listened to me and went off to sort more pain relief (I was screaming the place down which might have helped). By the time they got back I was fully dilated and pushing.

I think the issue isn’t just with midwifery; HCPs from all specialities need to listen to women and believe them. The system is inherently misogynistic.

motherofbeagles. I’m sorry about what happened to you. I can understand been sent home at 1cm with spaced out contractions but anyone who is crying with pain should be able to come back and stay at that point whether 1cm or 7cm.

Yes indeed, Crumbs, an inch is as good as a mile, but in every single case there is a fine line between a near miss and a potential tragedy. I get the impression that many hospitals are cutting it a bit close.

Oh god missduke definitely not! I'm really upset that I've caused offence now! I work with teenagers and would go mad at anyone using a word that had any connotations like that. But that's not one I was aware of. Will keep it in mind now!

shakeyourcaboose yes I am red path way and they do know about my condition. Do you think they are likely to let you go in sooner? I will ask my midwife.

I know that born before arrivals are a small number of babies. How many more cases do medical staff take notice too late and then there is a sudden emergency? That happened to my mum but that was 30 years ago. You would hope things would be better.

I am sorry for everyone who has had a difficult experience.

My husband says I'm like a secret Scientologist- I make no sound during labour

I'm 30 weeks with my first and stories like this terrify me. We are an hour away from the hospital and there is no phone signal on the route until we've driven about 12 miles. I don't intend to go in early and take up the midwives time but how are you supposed to know? My mum ended up in ambulance with her third because she waited too long.

Happened to me with 2nd and 3rd.

2nd was vbac should have been monitored etc. Waters went at home and contraction s straight away. By the time I got there it was 1 in 2 and lasting a good minute. Examined told 3cm and to go home. Refused and went for what I thought was a poo... dilated from 3 to 10 in 30 mins and had her after 20 mins of pushing. Start to stop in 3 hours.

3rd baby- 41 weeks started contracting at 6. In the car for half past as we live 50 mins away and told on the phone by an updated midwife that I should have called before getting in the car. Arrived and everyone refused to examine me for half an hour. Told I wasn't contracting reguarly- bloody was they hadn't put the belt on correctly. Asked to leave and refused again without being examined. I was 8cm. Finally given gas and air and water went. Full of meconium and baby turned brady. Full scale panic although I pushed him out 5 mins later with 5 pushes.

Fucked me off that twice I wasn't believed. I'm a nurse and I know my own body. If I'd had delivered number 3 in the car he's have been in big trouble. It was written on my notes that I had laboured fast with number 2 as Well!

andinshort I asked everyone this when I was pregnant and the answers infuriated me that I'd just know. But honestly I did, things just changed and become "more" I can't explain it logically sorry! Infuriating I know! Just try and listen to your body and if you're not sure just go in. Better to be checked in my opinion that in danger.

Gyoza

Sure, here's the link:

www.amazon.co.uk/Mindful-Hypnobirthing-Mindfulness-Techniques-Confident/dp/0091954592?tag=mumsnetforum-21

You do have to read the book thoroughly, and download the (free) MP3s, and listen to them regularly. I always used to fall asleep! I didn't feel consciously that much had changed, but then I was so much more relaxed for the birth that I am convinced it altered my subconscious mind. When labour started, I put on headphones with the music from the MP3s playing, and didn't take them off till my baby had arrived. I was in my own little world but able to communicate with the midwives when necessary. I am a total convert now!

Elephant Make sure they've added a note about possible quick labour to your notes. They did that for me and it really helped them take me seriously when I was 0cm dilated but told them baby was on the way. She was born 2 1/2 hours after that, with no breaks between contractions. I was very glad they didn't send me home.

Ive got a positive story if you’re still reading OP. My friend went in with her first baby and was turned away, the baby didn’t come for 3 days!! I was induced but there were three women in the day room all in early stages having a good walk up and down the stairs and round the hospital. Everyone is different.

If you feel worried, or a bit funny, or unsure, call your midwife. That’s what they are there for and the majority are happy to talk you through any concerns.