To be upset about my experience in hospital -giving birth

[Cocococo94]

Just wanted to get some opinions, not sure if I’m over thinking things.

I recently gave birth to my DD. my waters went at 5am and they were brown. I told them this over the phone when I called up for advice. They told me to wait a bit longer to come in. I got to the hospital about 9am and was told I was already 5cm so went to the labour ward.

I was in horrendous pain in my back and was informed baby was back to back and it was getting to the point where I went to the toilet and I couldn’t stand back up

My labour wasn’t progressing and I was stuck at 9cm. I kept getting checked on and they said I’m still at 9cm. This went on for quite a few hours until they decided to take me for an emergency c section. I was in labour for about 16 hours in total

After my c section, DD was taken away as she wasn’t crying and was covered in her own poo. I’ve since learnt this is the cause of my waters being brown and can mean baby is distressed, they didn’t seem worried when I told them my waters were brown though.

I lost a lot of blood and my heart rate was high(around 120) was taken to high dependency unit

in the morning I was taken to the postnatal ward but there wasn’t any beds left in the ward for mums who had had a c section. I was really struggling to sit up in the bed and nobody came to check on me and DD. when I buzzed for some help they said ‘oh, you had a c section, nobody has told us that. There must be no beds on that ward’

perhaps I am overthinking it. I just felt like the care was not great

Firstly congratulations on your baby. Welcome to the world little one.
Im really so sorry you’re having an awful experience.

someone will come along shortly with much better advice but please don’t be afraid to use the buzzer and ask for help.

all the best!

Sorry to hear that. Please do feedback via PALS in writing.

You've had an awful experience I'm so sorry!

Xx

Nah that sounds shit. I’m so sorry you had that experience and YANBU to be really upset.

I really hope the care you’re getting has improved and that DC is doing well now.

First of all congratulations! Second of all you're not over thinking things. I'm assuming you're in the UK but in Ireland if your waters go and they are brown in colour you are told to come in immediately for an assessment and depending on the level of meconium in the waters you are brought for a section as baby is most likely distressed.
My baby was back to back also and it was very very painful which doesn't help matters!
I would ask for their policy on waters breaking and submit a formal complaint.

Awww its not good is it ? You could submit a complaint but you won't be any further on. In my experience I would try to get all facts and meet with a midwife (they should offer something like this) and then see what might be different for any subsequent births. Talking about it really helps. Aside from that you may need to put it down to experience and some births are nothing like you expect.. but all is good in the end.

What an awful experience you've had, no woman should have to go through that it's barbaric! It really makes me rage when I hear the things that happen to some women when they are at their most vulnerable.

I have to admit that these threads scared me when having my first baby in 2021 but the care I received was outstanding. I think it really varies between trusts but you should absolutely complain to PALS.

Congratulations on your baby.

Not good. I’m so glad you and your DD are okay. I had my last - twins 8 years ago and was shocked at the postnatal care. I dread to think what it is like now. Complain

Hi,
sorry I just had to correct you there. Meconium liquor in isolation is not an indication for caesarean section. It means closer monitoring during labour and a lower threshold for caesarean if there are any concerns, and usually closer monitoring for baby postnatally. You’re right though, OP should have been invited in for assessment straight away with meconium liquor.
OP, I would ask for a postnatal debrief with a consultant. They will talk through your care with you, answer any questions you have and point you in the right direction to take things further if you want to.
im sorry you’ve had a rubbish experience 💐 congratulations on your new little one.

Hi,

If you had read my post properly you will see that I said depending on the level of meconium you are brought for a section. Generally grade 3 indicates a section after close monitoring as baby is usually distressed. It all depends on the grade and many other variables. At the very least induction of labour starts within 24 hours regardless of the grade. Two friends were given sections after they had grade 3.

But that section is for fetal distress and not meconium. Clearly the op feels terrible, we don’t need to make her feel worse by false info. I wasn’t nitpicking at you so please don’t take it personally.

Hope you are feeling better now and enjoying your baby. You should definitely complain. The post natal wards are a joke. I really don’t understand what the nurses do there. I am sure they will say they are rushed off their feet caring for someone. I simply no longer believe that as in your case when you can’t even sit up and have just been moved from HDU they didn’t care for you properly. Do try to get a debrief. It may help you.

Yes unfortunately in the uk this sounds pretty standard. I don’t think any of my births were handled particularly well. All of my babies were put at risk in one way or another.
are you and baby ok now?