I had a negative experience, I’m afraid. This was 2021. I think people may be more motivated to post about negative experiences than neutral or positive so bear that in mind but this is my story….
I had been under a consultant because I had previously had a procedure on my cervix for pre cancer cells in my twenties. Pregnancy was otherwise fine. I was admitted at 39 weeks for high blood pressure but there were no beds available … so I was put in a disused office (I’m not kidding). There was no call bell , no oxygen, no suction equipment (as it wasn’t a room meant for patients) . I had no patient wristband to identify me. My husband and I are doctors and we know what’s normal and what’s not normal - this was not normal (!!)
I was then talked into induction - fine. It was a horrific experience and I was screaming in pain. Midwives seemed really irritated by me. Eventually a consultant (MY consultant I was under) examined me and said “oh your cervix looks really scarred… have you had a procedure before on it?” I said YES, we have met multiple times about this in clinic! She basically said my cervix won’t open and induction had been a waste of time
I then had an emergency c section - the entire experience of this was really great and I’m grateful.
postnatal ward was hell. You could hear the midwives at the desk slagging off the new mums at 2am. Despite being post C-section I was expected to walk out of the bay (leaving baby behind), walk down a long corridor and queue up to collect a meal. Often they had run out of warm food by the time I hobbled down.
I’m having a C-section at Warwick hospital next week and hoping for a better experience 🫣 Sorry for the essay but clearly I’m feeling triggered thinking about Birmingham women’s 🤣