Midwives not helping after C-section

[Emma5557]

Hello, before making an official complaint I want to be sure I am on the right side.
I got an emergency C-section at around 2am and after that I was moved to the post natal ward. The midwifes who followed me during the labour were excellent and told me to ask for help to the midwifes on the post natal ward anytime considering I could not move for the surgery. On the same day in the afternoon I got my catheter removed and I was able to walk, but still in pain while standing (obviously!). Most midwifes told me I needed to do things by myself like going from the the room to the end of the corridor to grab a bottle of water, or even lift up my luggage to take the clothes for my baby. How on earth am I supposed to lift a luggage after not even 24h from the C-section?!

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE

I have previously demanded to be discharged the same day as having baby .... just wondered how doable this would be with a section

It’s a tricky situation because in the majority of times your actually in a bad way and need hospitalisation. But you are treated so shit you want to leave but can’t because you have a gaping wound being held together with bits of paper..

Honestly you could make it up!

Couldn’t **

Sorry OP my own experience wasn’t great. Mine was emergency and my DD in SCBU the first time around. I was up and about as soon as the catheter came out, I wasn’t wasting time to find out how she was. The 2nd planned c-section I was up and about witching 12 hrs because I wanted to get out of hospital ASAP. Everyone’s pain threshold and experience is different, personally I wouldn’t complain. I learnt after the first time to take a really light bag with me and hung it so it was nearby. Services are stretched and I think demand is high. They can’t be everywhere

I was fully prepared to be more arsey second time around and not consent to an induction. Luckily I didn't have to. I think first time round you just accept the naughty child dynamic as normal.

Almost impossible with a C-section, I know, but the best thing to do is get out of there the same day if you can. I only stayed one night and that was horrific enough... If I had another unproblematic birth, I'd refuse to stay, I think.

Like pp above said, if you're poorly enough to be in hospital and need a bed, you should be treated as a patient and cared for properly.

This! There's a Facebook page for my local maternity service and people are meekly asking if they are allowed to request no students

It’s unbelievable isn’t it? Especially since the power dynamic there is legally COMPLETELY the other way round- women are the ones who do the allowing and medical students need to seek the permission of the woman before being present or involved in anything. The woman completely has the upper hand in that situation yet the language, the culture of maternity care does everything to make sure women don’t realise they have any power.

@khg1

My health insurance covered me to have both of my caesareans privately, at the point of delivery onwards - a couple of appointments beforehand with my consultant but most of my routine antenatal appointments on the NHS. They also paid for my postnatal appointments with him.

Well that’s lovely. But doesn’t really help the OP does it?

And why would your private insurance pay for routine antenatal appointments on the NHS which are free anyway? I would be asking for my premiums to be reduced

Lol I took a suitcase & a bag & got an additional bag dropped off for a 4 day stay!

@torquewench do you get this worked up about everything? Why are people bringing suitcases and doing things their own way bothering you so much. Calling them precious. Odd.

Similar experience with me also. I self discharged early. I did complain.

@THATbasicSNOWFLAKE

If baby is born first thing in the morning then it may be feasible, although likely against advice.

For what it's worth, not all stays are bad. Mine were lovely!

I thought I was alone before this thread.
I think it's bonkers and cruel. I wouldn't be able to be a midwife under these conditions.

@Mylittlesandwich good on you but I think you have a huge shock coming your way!! There is the theory that things should be done a certain way and then there is the reality of time/ staff constraints! I used to work at a hospital with a 30 bed postnatal ward and frequently a shift would consist of two midwives and a hca. It's simply not possible to give the care that you would like to give and that patients deserve. However I must say that there are patients who just need a little bit of help and then there are patients who are just precious and think that we are there to wait on them hand and foot! That sort of attitude tends to wear very thin very quickly with busy staff!

[quote wewillmeetagain]@Mylittlesandwich good on you but I think you have a huge shock coming your way!! There is the theory that things should be done a certain way and then there is the reality of time/ staff constraints! I used to work at a hospital with a 30 bed postnatal ward and frequently a shift would consist of two midwives and a hca. It's simply not possible to give the care that you would like to give and that patients deserve. However I must say that there are patients who just need a little bit of help and then there are patients who are just precious and think that we are there to wait on them hand and foot! That sort of attitude tends to wear very thin very quickly with busy staff! [/quote]
I don't necessarily mean that I think I'll be able to fundamentally change maternity care (although that would be something). I more mean that I can interact with women in a kind way. Some of the "help" I had actually made me cry. I was treated with distain by a midwife who had previously been kind to me because I had "given up" on breastfeeding. I was expressing instead and she made it clear she didn't approve.

@Mylittlesandwich I wish you the best of luck with your training. There is never an excuse no matter how busy or stressed to make someone in a vulnerable position feel bad.

@Mylittlesandwich sounds like you'll be an awesome midwife. Best of luck with it all

Weird update - I'm the only one on the ward so I have like three midwives catering to me but I imagine this is very unusual

@HarleyQuinn21

Excellent news. And not that unusual, the same pretty much happened with me, but people are more likely to talk about negative than positive experiences.

Enjoy your baby snuggles and congratulations.

Good news @HarleyQuinn21 , hope all is going well

@HarleyQuinn21 good to see you have plenty of help!

So pleased your still reading this thread and getting better care

If I hadn't had a bad bleed post surgery I would have asked to go home the same day as my cesarean. I had to nag a lot to get home the next day, they didn't want me to leave but my iron levels were at a safe enough level so they had no grounds to keep me. I hate being in hospital overnight as I just can't relax so end up even more exhausted, I worry about dozing off with baby in my arms too as they hate those stupid plastic tubs.