"Unkind midwife"

I believe I was made to feel like I couldn't care for my baby at the most delicate time after having a less than perfect birth. I ended up with a Csection. About 4 hours later I was asked about my pain score out of 10. Being in an excruciating amount of pain after being cut open and ripped apart I responded with 8. The midwife informed me that it was not the right answer and that my pain score wasn't correct. 8 is reserved for people who have been stabbed by knives I believe they said. Mind you at this point I was tired and feeling unwell and just responded that i didn't understand what they were asking and asked if 6 or 7 was an okay answer while trying not to tear up? This was apparently the correct answer (I had been stabbed by knives and ripped apart but that was irrelevant).

The midwife then proceeded to focus on us for the duration of our stay, I felt they were constantly hounding me about everything. I felt nothing we were doing was right in their eyes even though the other midwives were more than happy and constantly reassured us we were doing well and being great parents. On day 2 after having my baby the midwife made me use the breastpump every 3hours to bring on my milk even though I had plenty of colostrum. I recall they told me they had a duty of care and that we didn't care and weren't doing what was needed for our baby.

I feel this is irresponsible and caused me to have a massive over supply and pain, not to mention the mental anguish and stress of believing I wasn't being a good mum if I didn't start pumping. I was in an extremely delicate state and I feel this was unkind and hurtful. It seemed the midwife demanded I then show them how I breastfeed which I was uncomfortable with as they had struck a cord with me by this point and had made me cry repeatedly. I had showed the earlier midwives and they were pleased with how it was going and even showed me some other ways of feeding however they wouldn't take their word for it and continued demanding I show them

It was the worst possible feeling and ruined our time in the hospital which was meant to be about becoming comfortable as parents, getting to know our little one.

The midwife would not leave me alone after all this and continued to focus on us. I believe they knew they'd upset me and asked to hug me. Every ounce of me didn't want to hug them, I didn't want them near me but I feared it getting worse if I didn't and was trying so hard to stay positive. I wish my partner or I had spoken up but we didn't.

I would never wish this experience on anyone, especially in such a fragile state. When I think back about our time there it's clouded by the midwife and that upsets me everytime. The local Karratha midwives are literal angels and all the other visiting midwives were so amazing except, in my opinion, for this midwife and I cant believe I ended up with them.

Based on my experience, I'd advise any mums in this situation to speak up.