I gave birth to my first child at KEMH late August 2020 and felt incredibly cared for by my midwives Liz and Sarah of the Midwifery Group Practice. Based on my experience they were wonderful listeners and communicated all the options of my birthing preferences clearly to me throughout my pregnancy. They also helped me navigate my fears and anxieties about the upcoming birth.
On the day I went into labour, I laboured at home until I was in established labour before going in to the hospital. We called our midwife who recommended we come into KEMH. Unfortunately when I arrived at KEMH in the afternoon, although the triage nurse confirmed I was indeed in established labour, there was no room available for me, the waiting room was full.
My husband and I waited for an hour in the corridor of the hospital. I was in established labour in a full and busy waiting room and this was certainly not how I had imagine my birthing experience to be. Our midwife greeted us in the waiting room but, I believe as she knew there were no rooms available this would have been a stressful time for her too. During this hour I felt we didn't receive any attention and none of the staff checked in to see how we were. My husband had to flag down a doctor to bring attention to our problem and try to get a room for me.
This is the only complaint I have about my whole birth experience. I did my best to labour in the corridor, with sunglasses over my eyes the block the glare of the lights and headphones to keep distractions to a minimum, but I feel that if I had been given a room right from the start I would have been able to journey through my labour more smoothly and not to mention, in private.
"Birth experience"
About: King Edward Memorial Hospital / Maternity King Edward Memorial Hospital Maternity Subiaco 6008
Posted by rnrnrn (as ),
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