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The birth of my baby

Posted By aurigagb73

"The birth of my baby"

About: St John of God Midland Hospital / Ward 2A (Maternity)

(as the patient),

I was feeling unwell the day before my due date and my WMGP (Wheatbelt Midwifery Group Practice) midwife came to see me. I was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and because my local hospital is for low-risk births only, I had to go to SJOG Midland. I was starting to have contractions that afternoon anyway, and my midwife thought I was going into early labour. I got to Midland and I was taken to labour ward cos I was in labour.

My labour was quick and I was getting a really sore back, I tried to move onto my hands and knees cos it hurt so much but the midwife there held me down by my shoulders so I couldn’t move. I told them and the doctor I had to push and they said they would give me some local anaesthetic to numb the stinging, but they also cut me without telling or asking me. I didn’t know they cut me until the next day when I asked why it hurt so much to sit.

I was about to go home that night and they said I couldn’t leave, then they came and told me my baby had a hip problem and a heart murmur and took them to the nursery.

I was trying really hard to breastfeed but they never called me when my baby was hungry, and I believe they gave my baby formula without my consent. I was trying to help bottle feed them in the nursery but my baby was really upset. I realised the bottle milk was very cold and asked it to be heated, and the nurse was very rude and didn’t think it was necessary. Once the milk was warm my baby drank it happily.

I had to stay in Midland for 3 days until my baby was cleared to go home. They tried to tell me my midwives in my local hospital couldn’t do any baby weights or hearing checks even though I knew they could. In that 3 days, there was only 1 midwife who took time to sit with me and help me learn how to breastfeed, and no one ever felt my tummy or checked my bleeding the whole time in hospital, once I was back in my bed on the ward.

It was a really hard time and I didn’t feel like me or my partner were treated with any respect or care. I believe they did lots of things to me without me knowing or giving me any choice. Now that I’m home I’m much happier.

Staff attitude

Staff attitude

Treatment

Treatment

Being listened to

Being listened to

Explanations

Explanations

Involved in decisions

Involved in decisions

Being given time

Being given time

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Responses

Response from Janet Jones, Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance, St John of God - Midland 4 years ago
Janet Jones
Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance,
St John of God - Midland

Submitted on 10/12/2019 at 4:55 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 4:55 PM

Dear aurigagb73,

I was very sorry to learn of your recent experience in the Maternity Unit of our hospital and acknowledge that you and your partner would have been under considerable stress around the time of your baby’s birth.

It is disappointing to read that you did not feel you were treated with care or respect or provided with the support you needed at the time. Your concerns have been brought to the attention of the Midwifery Manager and we would like the opportunity to complete a review into the care provided during your admission. We are committed to the provision of high standard of patient-centred care and feedback such as yours helps us to improve the care we provide.

However, to allow us to look into this matter we will need further detail from you and would appreciate it if you could contact our Patient Experience Team on 9462 4901. We look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks and kind regards

Janet Jones

Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Clinical Governance

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