"Positive and negative feedback"

Positive feedback on MGP at Broome Hospital

I was privileged to be in the MGP for my third pregnancy and delivery, second baby while in Broome however first entire pregnancy and first birth in Broome. I had Alyce as my midwife who was calm and empathetic despite my fear from my last pregnancy and birth which was complicated and I was sent to another hospital in Perth where I had a less than ideal experience and unresolved anxiety and fear from the high risk pregnancy and delivery. She understood how this fear affected me in the current pregnancy and advocated for my wishes in my c section delivery to have an enjoyable and positive experience, somewhat healing. A midwife who I felt gets it and understands about caring for the women who I believe are broken from the institutionalised and medicalised maternity system in Australia, I found was literally priceless, keep up the good work Alyce. Georgie you were also lovely to have come round after baby and helpful in sorting out my needs after baby. The doctors who performed the surgery where great and the anaesthetist was also kind and good at his job.

One negative is the fight I felt I had to put up to receive pain medication on discharge and on the ward. After a major surgery I feel I should not have to argue for my pain relief especially when charted by an AT who I believe was aware of my history. I went home and did not have enough pain relief so I recall the visiting midwife had to speak to the doctor and I was able to secure extra pain relief. Bless the MGP girls who sorted it out for me.

Another negative, which I am aware is the feelings of many other women, is the size of rooms and availability of single rooms. I fortunately had a double room to myself but it is still a tight space. With the baby bassinet and a visitor or two you are practically having them in front of the bathroom door. I feel it is not pleasant for women to have to share bathrooms after giving birth whether c section or vaginal. In my opinion, we are at our most vulnerable and exposed after having babies and deserve the space to rest and heal.

Additionally I recommend considering the ability for staff to see post partum women on the maternity ward for up to a certain period after discharge. I had two issues which required ED presentation on two occasions and it is not ideal to wait in ED after c section and with a new baby especially in Covid times. One issue was mastitis and I believe I could of been seen to promptly and easily on the ward which I felt would of meant more comfort for mother and baby. The other issue was an issue which needed a little more investigating but was related to the delivery so therefore it seemed to me to be maternity post-partum care.

All in all, I appreciate giving positive and negative feedback as I believe there is always room for improvement. Despite the negative I still found Broome to be my best birthing experience due to the care from staff.