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.

We simply don't have the resources to cope with admitting every woman whose convinced she's in labour

Of course, but equally I would hope those decisions are made on a more informed basis than "I dont think so, off you go."

Subtleconstraints Tue 16-Jan-18 10:25:40
Sorry CatchingBabies this post is not against you personally but a midwife writing "if we don't check and don't know it buys you more time" is one of the most disturbing things I have seen written on Mumsnet in a while; also the sincere belief that ignorance is good practice.

It hit me right between the eyes, Subtleconstraints.

I agree with Laurie, if this is not possible because of lack of funds, then that situation needs to be remedied.

If it's the result of a callous, misogynistic culture then that has to be remedied too. If the culture is one that says midwifery is an art and not a science, then that notion also needs debunking.

Decisions should be based on accurate information, not subjective impressions, hunches, or the tendency to oil the squeakiest wheel. You have to examine the patients.