"Considerations for myself and my partner"

I recently was admitted at King Edward Memorial hospital for 1 week for the birth of my baby. I would not recommend it as a hospital to give birth in, after the experience I had. It is meant to be the leading maternity hospital in this state, unfortunately it did not meet my expectations, and I felt it was not patient centred care.

My experience started at 5pm. I was being admitted for high blood pressure, after a suggested induction for polyhydramnios, which was meant to occur 2 days prior. At 11pm I was still sitting in what I recall was a very uncomfortable chair in MFAU, when I knew there were beds seemingly available less than 100m away. Following a lack of sleep, I was then awoken at 4:45am to start an induction. I questioned is this the best care, I believe given a woman is likely to be awake for >24 hours post induction and is about to be sleep deprived?

While in the labour unit I was very disappointed with a number of issues, these include my partner being encouraged to stay however only being able to sleep on the floor and they awoke with blood on their clothes. The food presented to me was heavy cooked meals e.g. beef stroganoff, and I was encouraged to eat lightly. There was no option of snacks, choice of meals or light options such as a sandwiches. The ward staff had no food to offer me when my blood sugar levels were low. My partner was very limited to where they could buy food for themselves during the 26hour labour process. I recall the room’s ceiling urgently needs maintenance, as panels of the ceiling would seem to lift up every time someone entered the room letting in dust and dirt.

I understand the hospital was very busy while waiting for an induction of labour, and while admitted; however when multiple staff report this to the patient, leading to less than ideal care, I feel this is not reasonable. I believe it was highly inadequately staffed; staff were not able to provide basic care when requested.

I was made a border during my week in KEMH as my baby needed ongoing care. However as staff did not have time to complete my discharge at the time of becoming a boarder, and then while doing this a few days later, they found my blood pressure was high. Although I had a room, I then had to wait in the emergency centre, away from my baby and partner for 5 hours which then raised my blood pressure more. While in the emergency centre I was visibly upset. I feel staff were quite rude and unhelpful to my requests and did not show empathy. Multiple staff asked me why I was there, rather than reading my medical records for the current issue and past medical history. I believe the doctor was inappropriate in their questioning of me, first asking me to calm down, proceeding by asking me why I was there. It was an infuriating process! Please answer this, why send patients to Emergency when there is a comfortable room they can stay in, with their baby, and have the medical professionals visit them, especially when clearly upset? I was day 4 and emotional, my blood pressure continued to climb. If my requests had been listened to, I believe the extra days of admission could have been prevented. This seemed to be for funding, and extended our stay, as then I was readmitted. I feel this process needs addressing as a matter of urgency.

I feel discharge education was not commenced with adequate time. Education should start from day 1, Midwife Ellie was great at commencing this from the labour unit. However, I found it was then limited on ward 3 due to lack of adequate staffing. We had to request from multiple staff about how to bath our baby, and on multiple occasions staff said they did not have time.

On multiple occasions I had to inform my midwife’s of my past medical history, recent events, and tasks that previous staff said they would do, and hadn’t followed through e.g. requesting physiotherapy, requesting help with breastfeeding positions, following up checks of my episiotomy wound. If I weren’t educated and willing to advocate for myself, all these tasks would not have been chased up. This would have lead to incomplete care. This also included the medical team caring for myself not following through on my iron infusion, which I had to repeatedly chase, and now am waiting on an outpatient appointment.

I’d also like to flag the inadequate food I believe was provided to me. As a breastfeeding mum, my energy requirements are the highest they will ever be; however my diet provided was inadequate in volume, for example, 1 piece toast, 1 cereal packet, lack of snacks. It would be worthwhile to consider a patient fridge, if more food can not be provided to breastfeeding mums. It seemed the vegetables were overcooked at every meal.

I would like to thank a few amazing staff including ward 3 midwives Anna, Monique, and Helen; the lactation consultants, Physio’s, and one amazing phlebotomist who could take a heel prick on my baby without my baby crying (unfortunately I do not know their name), however I feel their colleague needs some guidance from them.

A few things which I believe could be improved, especially in the new hospital, based on my experience:

- chairs in the room need to be more comfortable and supportive

- provide a dish washing up sink in each room

- provide a supportive lounge for partners to sleep on during labour

I provide this feedback to improve patient care. I hope this is utilised to do this. I am happy to be contacted to clarify my feedback. Additionally I did email the hospital feedback, to provide this in person, however they asked for it to be in writing.