"Didn't listen to what I was saying"

The midwife assigned to me was very friendly etc however was very stuck in their ways. Didn’t listen to what I was saying and didn’t keep me informed as to what was going on. I was asked to stay on the bed at all times even though I wanted to walk around as I was uncomfortable. I had been told by the specialist who broke my waters I should lie down for an hour then get active, move around, sit on the ball etc but the midwife didn’t want me to do any of that. I had to wait until they went on a break and another midwife came to ask, and straight away the first midwife said yes of course and helped me up.

I also didn’t want a hormone drip but was talked into one being told they would leave it at minimum and see if it helped however the midwife kept putting it up every half an hour even when other midwives were happy to leave it as it was making some progress. After 8 hours the specialist was called back in and the midwife told her I had made no progress and should be sent for a C-section, without checking me to see if I had dilated any more or if there was any change in my progress.

The rest of the team were absolutely amazing and I couldn’t fault them but this midwife just didn’t involve me in my own birthing process. This was my fourth baby and in every other birth I was included in the decisions made. Once through in the recovery ward I was asked to repeat my ecg as during the c section it was showing some readings that caused concern. I ended up having this repeated more than once as the first nurse had put the leads on the wrong way and caused all the specialists to come to my room thinking my heart was “back to front”.

When I finally made it onto the ward things settled down for a bit until I was given penicillin, which I’m allergic to, by a student. Then I was forgotten for the pain meds so I had to buzz them and ask. I was discharged without any info on the c-section and ended up with an infection.

Overall, this time was absolutely horrific compared to all the other birthing experiences I’ve had in this hospital. I’m glad this was my last baby and I do not have to go back.