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"Treatment by midwife"

About: Rockingham General Hospital / Maternity, Labour Ward, Nursery and Level 2 Care Nursery

(as the patient),

I'm just writing in regards to one of the midwives on the maternity ward at the Rockingham Hospital. I gave birth to my baby late last year. The two midwives in the birthing room were absolutely amazing people and need so much appreciation for what they do and the patience they had with me.

But when I was taken to the maternity ward that night, I had another midwife who I felt was absolutely awful. Being a first-time mum and just going through many hours of labour, I was overwhelmed and this midwife even made me cry because they were so rude. From the get-go, I felt they were just having goes at me and getting angry if I didn't do something right or it took me a few tries to get it right. 

I tried breastfeeding for the first time in my life and this midwife grabbed the back of my neck and asked if I would be happy if someone grabbed me like that, (the way I held bub) whilst firmly pushing into my neck with their fingers and pushing my head down. I didn't appreciate that. This midwife also, in my opinion, looked at me like I was an absolute idiot when I asked if I had to burp the baby and if so, how. Their response was to ask do you not have experience with babies? and repeated themselves when I clearly said no. Obviously not as I'm a first-time mother. 

There's a lot more this midwife did that I felt was rude and the thought that if they treat every woman like that when they have a baby at Rockingham Hospital is horrible. I feel this midwife needs to step back and realise that not everyone knows what they’re doing and after going through labour, to be more kind as we’re already in a sensitive and emotional place.

They were lucky I didn't get angry and have a go at them for the way they treated me. Also, can I say that I didn't do anything to this person to mistreat them or be rude or anything.

I look forward to a reply.

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Responses

Response from Kath Smith, Executive Director, Rockingham Peel Group, South Metropolitan Health Service 4 years ago
Kath Smith
Executive Director, Rockingham Peel Group,
South Metropolitan Health Service
Submitted on 14/01/2020 at 3:39 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 3:42 PM


picture of Kath Smith

Dear microsocpiumwc94,

Thank you for sharing your recent experience in our maternity ward. I am at the same time very sorry to read about your experience and very concerned, as this is not the standard of care we pride ourselves on providing at Rockingham General Hospital.

Please be reassured that we have taken your feedback very seriously. I have discussed this with our Nursing Co-Director for Surgery and Specialist Care Susan Moore, and we welcome the opportunity for you to contact and talk to us about your experience in greater detail so we can follow-up on this to understand what happened.

I would be grateful if you could phone Susan directly on 9599 4307 or email her at susan.moore@health.wa.gov.au. We are committed to ensuring that this experience is not repeated for other women.

I acknowledge and appreciate your positive praise for the midwives who cared for you in the birth suite and will ensure these midwives receive your positive feedback.

Thank you again for getting in touch, our health service does appreciate feedback and I would like to reassure you of our commitment to address the very serious issues you have raised.

Kind regards

Kath Smith

Executive Director

Rockingham Peel Group

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