I want to start by saying I more than appreciate the free health care we get in the UK, the care of medical professionals and the current state of staffing. However, I can’t help but feel let down right now.
I am 38+5 days pregnant and have been with a consultant lead team throughout my pregnancy for my blood pressure which has been consistently high, firstly controlled with aspirin now labetelol. This means I’ve been having extra growth scans/apps.
At about 25 weeks we discovered baby was breech and at my 36 week appointment baby was still breech, measuring in the 96th percentile and my BP was raised. Following this, the consultant advised I was high risk and I should have baby before 39 weeks not recommending vaginal birth. I opted to not have an ECV and was booked in for a c section with the consultant team at 38+3.
However, this surgery was cancelled and rebooked for 38+4. I arrived on the day nil by mouth from 6am to be told I was last on the list (absolutely fine I get they prioritise). About 2pm I had my BP taken and it was approx 142/103 which is high, this was overlooked and I took my labetolol and it did come down again somewhat. I then continued to wait. It got to about 17:30 and they came and cancelled my section due to the surgery now being closed.
Obviously I was upset as this was the second time but I would rather a safe procedure than a tired surgeon. The consultant came to see me and said they now have no space on any elective lists for me and don’t know when I can be booked in for the foreseeable. She then advised that I would have to keep coming in everyday hoping the emergency sections aren’t too busy or hope there’s a cancellation.
I asked how this was safe if I had been referred due to being high risk and pushed by the consultant for birth at 38 weeks. She explained I was high risk but due to it being a specialist hospital and a lack of surgeons there’s people who are higher risk who are being prioritised. Again I understand but it seems they are just hoping nothing goes wrong with me and neglecting the risks and fears they’ve advised throughout my pregnancy.
I went home with a BP of 142/96 as they were closing the ward but was reluctantly told I could stay in and they could monitor my BP “if I want”. I’m now back, day 3 waiting to see if there’s a gap with emergengies nil by mouth since 6am again! Meaning the only nutrients my baby is getting throughout the day is the pre op pills, labetelol and paracetamol as I am suffering with a long mild headache.
my question is, what are my rights, at what point does it become inhumane for a pregnant woman to be not eating everyday for the hope of surgery? Likewise, I am not sleeping due to the stress and anxiety. My final thing to add is that since not eating and just taking medication my babies movements have been very irratic which is worrying me!
Any advice would be very much appreciated!