"Elective caesarean section poorly executed"

I recently had an elective caesarean at your hospital. 

As the anaesthesist started to put the spinal block in... ouch, they hit bone and/or nerves (as I was told), they tried again and again. I was screaming in pain by this point. I heard someone suggest taking a break. I asked to just get it done as I can feel myself panicking. Jab and I scream out. I felt like I'm being struck by lightning, with pain shooting through my lower half. I'm repeating over and over 'I don't want to be paralysed'. I'm now wailing and sobbing uncontrollably. They gave me something to calm me down. The anaesthetist attempted an epidural and then another spinal block and finally my body began to feel numb. We later counted at least a dozen needle marks in my bruised back.

I wish this was where things stopped. Once I was transferred from theatre to the recovery room, my husband has a crystal clear recollection of the recovery nurse debating with two midwives as to what drugs I had been given in theatre and eventually one of the midwives confirmed that I had been given a certain drug, however it had not been listed on the official handover form. Tasked with confirming this, one of the midwives went and asked the anaesthesist and came back stating I had received it but as I understand it, they wouldn't sign or mark the form. From here I went on to vomit the remainder of the day and despite requests for more nausea relief was told I had maxed out the onadenstron. I believe vomited over 3 litres in a half day period and later had to go on supplements as my body was so depleted of vitamins and minerals.

My stomach was very painful and we could see bruising coming up but didn't think much of it. I was discharged after 48 hours with the midwives to visit at home. At 3 days post partum we had our first midwife visit and upon their inspection of my wound and stomach, I believe they were shocked that I had been discharged. I assured them my stomach was not this bruised yesterday. However the pain was getting worse. The midwife took photos to show the doctor and we were recalled to the hospital.

Upon arrival the doctor who did the surgery did bloods and advised me my infection markers were raised but sent me home without antibiotics as everything was apparently "normal". They said maybe they nicked something superficial and that was causing my internal bleeding.

The next day another midwife visited and said my wound looked normal (incision) however was concerned about the level of bruising.

At 5 days post partum another midwife visited and I believe was horrified at my stomach/vaginal bruising. As we had followed up once already and told it was "normal", they discharged me from home visits and instructed me to see a doctor or hospital if things worsened.

I then started going downhill with chills and generally feeling unwell and felt I didn't have enough milk for my baby so at 6 days post partum I called maternity for advice and was recalled to the hospital once again. The midwife really listened to me and promptly had not one but two doctors check over me, followed by repeated bloods and an ultrasound. I was immediately prescribed a course of antibiotics and the ultrasound showed a seroma (collection of fluid). We were advised only then that it was certainly not normal to bruise so severely.

The antibiotics didn't help so I visited my GP/ obstetrician for a repeat antibiotics (second course) and check up. I was advised this should resolve the pain and if not, then it may need draining, which had been mentioned at my last visit to maternity ward.

This still didn't help and the pain has significantly worsened so I returned to my local practice and was seen by another GP who gave me a third course of antibiotics this time a different type which I am still taking with no significant changes to my condition.

So 3 weeks post partum with unresolved issues, in horrible pain, feeling so unwell and on my third course of antibiotics and on strong pain killers which hardly take the edge off my pain, unable to walk short distances without severe pain, paying hundreds of dollars for medications and scans I believe I shouldn't need. I am hoping for some relief soon so I can commence my recovery, stop giving all these medications to my newborn through my breastmilk and settle into life with a newborn and toddler.

I understand there's risk and sometimes things go wrong but maybe only one or two things. This is my second extremely traumatic birth experience at this hospital. The first due to the baby being unwell and seemingly out of everyone's hands. This time I feel from negligent care. I am now left traumatised and entirely terrified to ever have surgery at your hospital again, not to mention having to take my children in if they ever require treatment.

And any remaining faith I had in doctors and the health system has vanished. Being told that it was normal to have severe bruising covering my entire abdomen and groin when it seems it was clearly not normal, felt like a slap in the face and it felt like no one would take ownership or responsibility for the situation until our last visit where the midwife and doctor were wonderful and took control of the situation.

In my opinion, it is plain to see that most involved were more concerned of "covering" themselves than dealing with the issues at hand. I have never sought to blame, only to be given the respect of not being treated like an idiot and instead told "your bruising and pain is not normal, it is severe. It can happen but it is very unusual, we will do everything we can to aid your recovery". I feel a bit of truth and respect would go a long way.