"Wonderful birth experience, discharge procedure could've been better"

The service I received from the Midwifery Group Practice during my pregnancy and birth last year was absolutely wonderful. The continuity of care was the best part, knowing the women in the room whilst giving birth helped me to relax instantly, instead of being introduced to strangers during labour made a huge difference compared to my previous labours.

I was sent home 4 hours after delivery, which was expected and desired. However my only complaint was that I was told I would have to walk out of the hospital. I had asked for a wheelchair and was told I needed to walk out as I was a discharge patient.

For a woman who has only 4 hours previously been through the most physically exhausting ordeal called giving birth, I feel this is ridiculous. The long walk from the labour ward back to the car park and car was exhausting and extremely slow. A woman who has gone through birth should be resting for a week, period.

If it is hospital policy that patients being discharged are supposed to walk out, I am fine with it, but believe that there should be an exception for women who have given birth less than 24 hours previous. And all staff should be notified of this!