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"Planned C Section"

About: Bunbury Hospital Warren Hospital

(as the patient),

I fell pregnant with my third late last year. Knowing that it'd be another c-section, I started to make a plan on how I would have our baby. Our first child was delivered through the emergency c-section in Bunbury Regional Hospital, Western Australia and our 2nd one was in Manjimup/Warren District Hospital Western Australia (planned c-section). I had a really great experience with my 2nd one, my doctor and their team were exceptional. The process was so smooth and the postnatal stay in the Hospital was great. Without doubt, I decided to have another planned c-section in Manjimup as it's closer to home and both of my children could come to visit me after school.

Because of COVID-19, I wasn't able to get my family from overseas to come to support me after birth and with the WA hard border, I wasn't even able to get my mother-in-law who lives in a different state to come and help me after birth. The only support I had was my husband who is FIFO workers but I tried to enjoy my pregnancy as I know that it'd be my last one.

4 weeks before the due date, I was informed by my doctor that I might have to go to Bunbury to do my c-section but the decision was not final as there'd be a specialist coming from Perth to do an assessment and the decision would go from there.

3 weeks before the due date, I met the specialist at Manjimup hospital. They performed an ultrasound and checked on my previous c-section scars and the specialist said they were happy with it and they thought that I shouldn't go to Bunbury to have c-section. They also mentioned that they would come down on the day to be in the theatre while my Doctor and their team performed the surgery. I was so happy knowing that I could go with my plan and my husband would be there with me while my children would be at school.

My C-section date was booked, and one day before that, I was supposed to have a pre-op appointment with my doctor in the morning. 30 mins before my appointment, I received a phone call from Bunbury Regional Hospital, informing me that I had to go to Bunbury to have my c-section as Manjimup Hospital was no longer an option for me (they did mention about Manjimup not being equipped to do this surgery as there's a chance I might get bleeding after the surgery). I was shocked and upset knowing that I had to change my plan less than 24 hours before I am having a baby.

After the phone call, I went to see my Doctor, who also seemed shocked as they just got the phone call informing them the same. I believe my Doctor didn't understand why I couldn't go forward with the surgery and they said they couldn't help but promised me that they'd look after me when I got back from Bunbury. It was devastating to know that I had to make a plan on where we would stay that night (the surgery was the next day and I had to be there first thing in the morning) as it took us a few hours’ drive to Bunbury. I also had to plan who would look after my young children while I was at the hospital. Luckily we found a daycare who was happy to take both of them for a day while my husband is in the hospital with me.

When I arrived in the Bunbury hospital the next morning, the maternity ward was full and everyone seemed so busy. There might be about 3 women who I believe were having baby that morning and I had to wait as there was emergency c-section happening when it was supposed to be my turn. While waiting for the theatre to be ready, I got told by a nurse that if the surgery went well, they would put me in ambulance in a few hours and bring me back to Manjimup. That information surprised me as in my understanding, why I had to go to Bunbury was because they were worried if I had bleeding after the surgery. So to send me back to Manjimup after the c section was not a good idea, in my opinion, as I believe that if the bleeding really happened, then I had to go back again to Bunbury. So I refused to leave on the same day and asked to stay at least 24 hours.

I got approval to get back to Manjimup the next morning and we went back home just after lunchtime. I stayed there for a few days and had a great time as everyone was really supportive. The doctors, nurses and midwives were so lovely and helpful.

Until now, I still don't get the answer why I couldn't have my c-section in Manjimup as I did have my 2nd child in Manji hospital with the same doctor and also I had clearance from that specialist from Perth saying that I could have my baby here in Manji. I don't understand why they wanted to send me back to Manjimup a few hours after the surgery if the reason that I went to Bunbury was a chance to get bleeding after the surgery.

I do really hope that no one has to be in the situation like I was recently. Especially with all of these COVID restrictions and a hard border in place, it's already hard enough for us to give birth in the hospital without so much support from the extended family.

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Responses

Response from Justine Kelly, Director of Nursing Health Service Manager, Warren Blackwood Hospitals 4 years ago
Justine Kelly
Director of Nursing Health Service Manager,
Warren Blackwood Hospitals
Submitted on 17/08/2020 at 12:03 PM
Published on Care Opinion Australia at 12:07 PM


picture of Justine Kelly

Dear Earthep78,

Thank you for taking the time to provide us with feedback in relation to your experiences with Manjimup and Bunbury Hospital.

Please accept my sincere apologies for your recent experiences at Warren and Bunbury health services involving changes for your planned caesarean section. Giving birth is both an exciting and anxious time for families and I’m very sorry that as a result of changes made by us at the last minute, we caused additional stress and concern for you and your family

We always want to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our expectant mothers and their babies and endeavour to support healthcare decisions with that in mind. However, it is important that we remember that this includes all components of wellbeing, including emotional wellbeing. It seems clear that poor communication on our behalf has meant that we have regrettably not been able to provide the best experience that we could have for you.

I understand that you still have questions around the circumstances that led to your caesarean being moved from Manjimup to Bunbury. We would like to support you in whatever way we can to understand the reasons behind the decisions that were made so that we can hopefully bring you some closure. We would like to learn from your experience and identify the areas where we can improve so that this does not happen to another family. We are also happy to meet with your local Doctor if you would like us to.

If you are happy to, we would greatly appreciate it if you could reach out to us again. My name is Justine Kelly and I am currently working in the role of Acting District Manager Warren. Please feel free to call me at a time that is convenient to you on mobile 0427 901 242.

Again, thank you for sharing your story with us. I do hope that we hear from you soon.

Kind regards,

Justine

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