Talk to CQC about your maternity care experiences and you could win a £200 Love2Shop voucher. NOW CLOSED!

[AngelieMumsnet]

We’re working with CQC (Care Quality Commission), who would like to encourage more women to share their experiences of maternity care.

Here’s a video of a few Mumsnetters talking about their experiences of maternity care:

CQC say "We are the independent health and social care regulator in England. CQC inspect and rate maternity services, including antenatal services, pregnancy units, maternity assessment centres, labour wards, postnatal services and neonatal services.

There are nearly 700,000 live births each year in England, and having a baby is the most common reason for a hospital admission. Our 2015 Maternity Survey found that most expectant and new mothers are experiencing better maternity care when compared to the results from previous years, however, we know that know women will have had varied personal experiences.

If you are pregnant or recently used maternity services, we want you to tell us about the care you are receiving, good or bad. Our inspectors can’t be everywhere at once and your information will help us decide when, where and what service to inspect. By telling us about your experiences, you could stop poor care happening to someone else.

We want to hear whether you think your care is safe, effective, and caring. For example:

• You should feel that you are fully supported by staff to make informed decisions
• You should be able to ask questions if you don’t understand what is happening
• Staff should take all practical steps to make sure you receive the support you need to cope emotionally with your care"

Please share your stories of maternity care on this thread. Whatever your experience, CQC would love to hear about it

Everyone who adds a comment to this thread will be entered in to a prize draw where one winner will receive a £200 Love2shop voucher*.

Thanks & good luck,
MNHQ

PS: CQC will also be asking women to share their maternity care feedback on Twitter (@carequalitycomm) from the 15 February using the hashtag #YourMaternityCare. CQC want to hear about your experiences, so please tweet them using the hashtag.

• provided by MNHQ

I don't think I ever saw the same midwife twice and didn't recognise the ones that helped me during the birth, they also changed shifts halfway through I didn't have the same from start to finish, having said that they were all lovely and made me feel as relaxed as its possible to be before an impending birth. I found the aftercare a different experience, with quite abrasive treatment from several nurses on the ward, and I had to stay in due to having a c section so I was there a while, I was pretty much left to my own devices apart from when they gave me my meds or told me I had a visitor.

My daughter was born in 2011 with a normal delivery. I had lovely midwives looking after me throughout the birth and my aftercare was amazing. I was exhausted and had trouble breathing i had a lovely midwife who came in and sat with me and helped me feed my daughter also. My son was born in 2013 by emergency cesarean. I got to the hospital just in time, 8cm gone. The midwives were amazing and quickly got me ready within half an hour i was laying down having my cesarean. Both births i had trouble breastfeeding and the midwives were always happy to help.

My GP and midwife were fantastic, the hospital weren't great. I struggled a bit with the labour and needed an episotomy with ventouse to help DD1. After I gave birth they tried to give me a blood transfusion, but I refused unless it was really necessary and I felt absolutely fine. They kept me in over night, but basically I was ignored and left to it, luckily DD1 was very good apart from the 3 disgusting pooey nappies. In the morning I had to keep chasing them to let me go home, but I had to wait for hours just for some painkillers! The hv was lovely and we kept in touch for a long time.

I had a bit of a rubbish time in the postnatal ward after an emergency c section. The ward was unbearably hot and noisy and I didn't get any rest in the three days I was on the ward. I also struggled to BF and the midwives insisted on giving my DD formula which I didn't really want. Thankfully one of the midwife's on the third day of my stay was really lovely and helped my to express colostrum into a cup and feed my DD with a pipette, she gave me the confidence to keep trying with BF and I was so grateful for her help.

I had a brilliant experience at King's College Hospital in the midwifery-led suite. My midwife was amazing and I had my (unexpectedly very large) baby in a gas-and-air waterbirth, which was the birth of my dreams and I didn't really believe I would get there - but I did! The facilities were incredible. The only downside was that when my midwife had to leave, the next one wasn't quite as good- she wouldn't stop talking and was quite rude to my husband! Was generally great though.

I've always had a very positive experience of maternity care during my two pregnancies. Both labours were very different, but both positive. My first, I was able to provide informed decisions based on the level of information provided by the midwives. With my second, the labour was so quick there was no time for anything. Again, any questions were answered due to informative midwives and my emotional well being was more than met.

My maternity care was fabulous. Amazing midwives both times (one was s student and it was only her 3rd delivery). The health visitor support however left a lot to be desired!

I have had 5 DC, the most recent, 2 years ago. My overall feeling is that the care I've received has been patchy and inconsistent. I've lived in 2 different NHS regions and I feel as though each region seems to have it's own agenda. During my last pregnancy, I was asked several times by different hcp why I wasn't going to have a home birth (I have never had a home birth or expressed any interest in having one and I have a history of distocia). I felt traumatised after the birth of my second DC because of the way I was treated during labour and it took me months to process and get over it. During my last labour, my wishes were completely ignored and the birth was everything I didn't want it to be. Postnatally, the support for breastfeeding has been minimal and the constant stream of different midwifes has made it difficult to establish trusting relationships. The health visitors have been pushy and intrusive although this has tailed off throughout the pregnancies. It seems to be assumed that if you've had several children, you won't need any support. DH and I are confident and assured parents now but I feel bad for first time parents receiving the level of care I've had. On a side note, the fact that Bounty reps are still being allowed on wards is an absolute outrage.

I had two very different experiences with DD1 and DD2. I didn't feel well supported or given the best advice from the well-known and well regarded hospital where DD1 was born. In fact, I was sent home despite my waters rupturing during the night, but after travelling 10 minutes back down the motorway we had to turn back. They then admitted me but I still wasn't assigned a midwife. I had various staff come in and out and all seemed to want to give me different advice. I had an epidural in the end which was the worst mistake ever and I wish that someone had talked through with me what effect it would have on my body. It was so bad I was really ill for the first 12 hrs+ after the birth and couldn't bond with my baby or breastfeed. It was a completely awful experience!!! For DD2 I was determined to have the experience I wanted. I relied on a TENS machine only for pain relief. She was also born at a different hospital and DD2 was actually crowning as we arrived at the hospital! We were taken into a room designed to be like a home environment - the midwife was lovely and very efficient given my DD arrived within 10 mins, and DH barely had time to park the car!! This hospital was not as well respected as the one DD1 was born in, yet their treatment of patients seemed vastly better.

I had excellent care pre and post-natal, including close monitoring for pre-eclampsia. I was given an epidural nice and quickly and everyone was lovely!

My care was mixed- DS was born in sept 2014

I received excellent care from midwives who saw I was struggling emotionally with HG and antenatal anxiety and referred me to the mental health midwifery team - I saw the same midwife throughout and she was very helpful and lovely. I discussed my birth options with her and she referred me to the senior midwife who I also discussed things with and she offered to come and advocate for me at my next consultants appt (I was consultant led). Both mental health MWs recommended csection as the best option in my circs.

The consultant was exceptionally rude during this appointment- reduced me to tears within a minute of beginning. She assumed I was there to demand a section and effectively ranted at me about how if I did that I would make my MH condition worse, said she knew a vaginal birth would cure me- and didn't I owe that to my husband and was generally vile and contemptuous. The senior MW tried her best but it was obvious the consultant could walk all over her too. Consultant was so dismissive- even answered her mobile for a personal call in the middle of the appointment. I was in pieces and once she had finished her tirade she swept out the room leaving the MW to mop up my tears. Horrendous experience. I never complained- I regret that now, but frankly, at the time I didn't have the strength.

I decided after that appt that I couldn't risk a 'natural' labour (which due to my issues and medical history had a high likelihood of intervention) if I might come across an attitude like that consultants so I decided to push for the section that i hadn't decided on before I spoke to her.

I took my husband to all further appointments, but we never saw that consultant again (just registrars and eventually the other consultant for signing off the section). I was made to explain over and over again my reasons for the section and made to attend the 'birth options clinic' - when i got there, the MW I saw was baffled by just how many apps I had already had about the issue and booked my date very quickly.

The csection itself was fine, although it was down as 'maternal request' which whilst technically true hardly gave a true picture of my situation and I was asked endlessly by every member of staff about why I was having it. No allowance was made for my vulnerable position and I felt as though I was being heavily judged for having a 'non essential' section. I was not offered immediate skin to skin and was not allowed to express any preferences for the birth- which I believe is actually possible with a section and does happen in other areas.

Post natal care on the ward was patchy, some staff amazing, some over zealous some too busy to care much. I struggled with conflicting breastfeeding advice.

Ultimately breast feeding did not work out (low supply, DS lost a lot of his birthweight, formula was pushed heavily on readmission to hospital for jaundice and low weight). We were readmitted because the dr and nurse we saw said it was essential and DS was in danger. Imagine my bemusement when the next day the consultant on his ward round said 'hmmm these problems are all very marginal, I see you just felt you weren't coping and fancied a night back in hospital?' Er no. That's not how it was. at all.

Community MWs were mixed- one fantastic, the other gave outdated advice and stank of cigarettes- not what you want around a newborn!

This post is far too long so I shall 'do' my experience of HVs and nursery nurses on their team another time

At the birth of DD my partner took care of me 90% of the time, clearing up, changing pads etc and trying to find staff to help with what he could not do for injections etc, the staff popped their heads round the door every hour or so... nothing went wrong but I fear what may have happened if it had done so.

omg i was going to tell you the full story but lets just say, i was so drugged up that when i signed the permission for the ceasarian that i did not want, my signature was half the size of the a4 paper and the paper was all squishy. They wanted to give me a blood transfusion but i said no and was virtually in a zombie state for about a week and the midwives had to come and lift out my son when he needed feeding as i could not lift him up. I used to give blood before I had my son but after my experience 14 years ago, the mere sight of a needle has me out cold on the floor (and that includes the dentist).

I had a pretty bad experience giving birth. I was in labour for 56 hours & had an epidural. When I had been in labour for a bit "too long" the midwife suggested I try to lie on my side as that may speed things up.

As I turned over, the pain ripped through me & I cried out & threw up with the pain.

The midwife suggested I was making a fuss about nothing as I had an epidural. I told her that I could feel everything. She told me not to be so silly & touched my stomach. She asked if I could feel her hand, I said yes. She said that's impossible & that was the end of that.

In the end I was rushed down for a probable C section. I was scared out of my wits that I was going to be cut open & be able to feel everything.

The doctor in charge said she would like to give me one more try with the help on a ventouse. I pushed so hard & managed to get my son out without the C section.

In later years I have found out that I suffer from hyper sensitivity. Normal pain killers simply do not work on me & although that is not common, it is not rare & the medical staff should have taken me seriously when I told them I could feel everything.

with my oldest i had an amazing experience i was induced , i went in on the tuesday night but did not have my little one until thursday morning. The midwife i had from wednesday afternoon was so amazing she stayed with me for over 15 hours so well over her shift as she wanted to see my baby be born also i was in a panic as i knew something was not right. After my first was born he was born with a congenital heart defect and the midwife who delivered my son kept checking we were ok even after we went to another hospital for his operation. During my first labour i felt pressured by the consultant to have a c section but i did put my foot down along with the midwife and said no and i am glad i did .
My middle son i again received amazing care my baby was born early and was quite small after the labour i was exhausted so the midwife looked after my baby why i got a bath .
My third was born at home and was delivered by his dad so i cant comment on the birth part but when we went to hospital to check everything over they were really good i felt i was listned to and could make my own decisions for example she said my son had very wide shoulders and she felt a few stitches would help as i had torn however i wanted the tear to heal naturally which she said was ok and she never kept pressurising

I could not fault my care in Flintshire. So much so that I ended up having a home birth!

I had excellent maternity care.

The midwives were fantastic and although I knew they were busy and stressed they were patient and kind with me.
I had plenty of time to ask questions after birth. I also was talked through what happened during a complication - I hand;t asked for this. They offered me counselling also. Just knowing I could talk about it with a professional if I needed to put my mind at rest.

Pre natal was fine; midwife efficient but very inflexible about appointments.

Labour was amazing; same midwife throughout at mw lead unit which was immaculate.

Post labour ward - felt slightly neglected. Small things like catheter bag not being changed until it was almost overflowing, dressings not being changed regularly, not being told that (once catheter removed) I needed to get my own breakfast meaning I didn't have any food on my second morning and only contact was to take observations, 2 mins in and out. Took a day and a half before a doctor came to see me or the baby. Then discharge took 8 hours from 4-5pm (due to computer problems...) meaning we were discharged after midnight with a 3 day old baby on a freezing November night.

Post natal fantastic - once home midwives and health visitor have been excellent.

I'm in Edinburgh and the care was faultless throughout. I've had three babies here, and each birth experience has been handled impeccably. I felt safe and supported at all times.

My midwife was awful and obviously had an issue with my age, my first daughter was born when i was 17.

my health visitor urged me to complain about the way she treated me, turns out i wasnt the only complaint and she no longer is a midwife !

I had an emergency c SECTION and then I asked for a c section with 2nd child! My hospital was very understaffed and I wasn't allowed out of bed but no nurses to help with getting the baby to me

- You should feel that you are fully supported by staff to make informed decisions

This was not the case, at all.

- Staff should take all practical steps to make sure you receive the support you need to cope emotionally with your care

Absolutely did not occur.

This unfortunately played a very big part in why there is going to be almost a decade between my children

One thought is that it would have been nice to see the same midwife more than once in all the various appointments. That might be geographical because of stretched resources, but continuity would be nice.

• You should feel that you are fully supported by staff to make informed decisions

First birth, examined and turned away as not in established labour. Spent an hour alternating between toilet in scan department and trying to reach the exit till was found and sent back up. Waters HAD gone, was 8cm dilated and baby born within hour. The midwife who delivered told me first midwife was an agency one who obviously thought baby's head we're intact membranes. Hellish time but safe delivery thank god. No time for epidural which am pleased about now but would have wanted option.

• You should be able to ask questions if you don’t understand what is happening

As a first time mum I felt ignored by first midwife and all staff- apart from scan lady who took me back up to delivery. Unacceptable.

• Staff should take all practical steps to make sure you receive the support you need to cope emotionally with your care"

Not the case

No issue with second birth as born in ambulance v sudden labour. I doubted myself after first labour and still hung on despite thinking 'have I started' as didn't want to be turned away. Was pleased to arrive at hosp with hard work having been done jut goes to show you how bad first time was if labouring in ambulance preferable to a labour suite as first time was.

i found my experience to be very positive. they are dedicated and caring and empathetic nurses and deserve a pay rise in my opinion.