"Disappointed in level of care after childbirth"

When I attended the first appointment, was pushed for induction on the estimated day of delivery (EDD) as previous births were inductions. I felt the obstetrician was forceful and mentioned the word stillbirth multiple times - more like a threat in my opinion, than an explanation of risks. Am thankful I was well informed, and requested a referral for a scan to check the placenta after my EDD.

I have acute depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The midwife/GPO who referred me made note of this in their referral - I was high risk for the majority of my pregnancy. After birth, my baby was taken to Neonatal Unit (NNU) for antibiotics and monitoring.

Was told by paediatrician that baby's blood sugar levels (BSL) could drop once taken off the drip and that might need top-ups which I was happy to do. I breastfeed and had expressed colostrum (approx1ltr) antenatally, which I told them. I was prepared to bottle/tube feed EBM. 6 hours after the test, BSL had declined - I was told by a nurse as they entered my room with a bottle of formula and a consent form.

Formula had not been discussed - I had informed NNU that I had colostrum. I asked why we couldn’t use it and was told it wasn’t enough, so I sent my partner to get more. I voiced my concerns - the nurse asked if I’d like a second opinion, I said yes and they got a midwife. I asked to use the colostrum, I was then told, as I recalled, that formula has more sugar and my milk might not be good enough. I asked about the risks of low BSL and was told, as I recall, that baby could go into shock and end up brain-damaged. I reiterated my concerns about offering formula and suggested colostrum first. They accepted but I was advised that means they'll have to prick my baby more often. They re-tested in 1 hour – the result had gone from 2.5 to 4.7.

Baby had full blood check but I believe paediatricians were concerned so sent sample to FSH and PCH. Results had not come back and midwife was discussing discharge. I was given discharge medication, except tramadol because I believe it’s schedule 4 medication.

I mentioned my anxiety about discharge and was told to speak to social worker - I told them that I didn’t want to go home yet - was worried about baby and still waiting for results. Also concerned about being discharged without baby. Social worker spoke to GP - I believe GP wouldn’t keep me in as no ‘medical reason’ to - I felt it was invalidating to hear that GP’s do not consider mental health conditions a medical reason. Also had to ask about current medication and breastfeeding safety - surprising given baby was having NAS done.

Blood review came back ok that afternoon, and they started discharge. I reiterated that I wasn't comfortable being discharged. They allowed me to stay that night - I was discharged the next morning. Midwife who did discharge checked baby’s stats and oxygen was sitting at 82%. Told me it had to be up at 96% for discharge and it took a good 10 minutes of rousing to get baby's oxygen up. I, again, voiced concerns about going home and not wanting to yet. Was reassured that baby was fine and in their words, ‘pink’, and we were discharged without remainder of my medication.

At our home visit the next day, midwife noticed baby’s breathing rate was high. I told them that this had been normal - I’d been reluctant to be discharged because of this amongst other things. They phoned the paediatricians who said to bring baby back. We went to the hospital the afternoon of day 5, got sent down for an x-ray but on paperwork it was noted that baby was on day 6. Was told the bed would be arranged for me - another nurse mentioned that I was day 6, I corrected them and was told we could both be re-admitted. I believe the paperwork was obviously not completed as the following day (6), a midwife came to see me and asked if I needed anything. I asked for some pain relief and said I was struggling with my mental health. Was later told I wasn’t being re-admitted, I felt they were unable to offer me care and to self-administer medication then go to my GP for anything else. Was given a bed as a boarder however meals were not organised, I believe due to my baby being admitted as the patient, not as a ‘baby of’ mine. It was a nurse who noticed this and found spare meals for me and started the paperwork - I believe it was handed over to next shift but not processed and I had to then ask for meals the next day.

I spent most of the time in NNU and heard numerous discussions about patients. I feel the way a particular supervisor speaks to staff is rude, intimidating and extremely unprofessional in my opinion. They had a heated discussion with nurses, whilst myself and other parents were present, about my bed. I later heard the paediatrician defending their decision to keep my baby in the NNU.

The paediatrician came to discuss my baby's health and care, NAS scoring and potential for medication. I asked how long baby would need monitoring for, and was told that, in an ideal world, to stay in hospital for one to two weeks ‘mother-crafting’, however a minimum of 3 days. Paediatrician assured me that care of baby was priority and that the bed situation was not my concern however understood and apologised for my experience. Two hours later, I was advised that we were being discharged the following day – I refused (having been told otherwise only hours earlier) I asked for transfer to different hospital for care. The paediatricians were supportive however unable to transfer. Baby was discharged from NNU to my room and followed up by paediatricians, the only people we saw over the next 3 days, except one midwife who came in accidentally. I asked if they could check if the tramadol that had been omitted from my discharge meds was still in the schedule 4 cupboard as I was having severe afterpains. I believe they did however it had been sent back to pharmacy.