"birth of my second child"

Recently I gave birth to my second child at Busselton Hospital. It was a vaginal delivery at 40+1 after a long long labour. I was in and out of the labour ward for a few days prior to being admitted with false starts, I felt the midwives were amazing and supported me practically and emotionally with how my labour was progressing and stalling.

Once on the ward I laboured with gas, the shower, bath for as long as I could and then requested an epidural. The anaesthetist was called all seemingly went well until they told me had gone too far and I had a puncture. This meant that I would be required after birth to remain flat on my back for at least 24 hours to see if the punture would heal. Once allowed up, if I suffered headaches that only resolved on lying down I would likely require a second epidural to heal the puncture.

I did require a second epidural and I felt the medical specialist, the Reg, midwife, medical student & theatre nurses at Busselton hospital were amazing at suporting me, explaining the procedure and the importance of keeping everything and everyone sterile and gowned as they were injecting my blood from my arm into my spinal fluid space.

I was able to go home later that afternoon even though very kindly Busselton maternity ward were happy to keep me another night. I wanted to get home to my young toddler who had been away from for nearly week. A medical specialist gave me his mobile number to call if I had any concerns or questions.

48 hours later I was having symptoms of a post dural puncture-headaches that stopped me in my tracks. My parent worried called. The medical specialist who recommended I go to Bunbury Regional Hospital for further review. Bunbury was 90 mins from my home town I had a young toddler and newborn at home but unable to manage my parent took me whilst my partner cared for the kids.

At Bunbury ED I was initially advised to go home with panadol and rest, I explained my concerns about the blood patch not working as did my parent but I believe we were not listened too until my parent provided the medical specialist from Busseltons number. Once the Dr's called him I was admitted to the maternity ward late evening.

I was then left on my own for the remainder of the night, i was told the next day the Dr came to see me in the middle of the night but i was asleep. I didnt see a Dr all day or given a plan about what was happening for my care.

Mid afternoonish I was told that i was going to pre-op to have a new blood patch done. I was taken to pre-op left, the Bunbury Anaesthetist came in looked fatigued, rushed and didn't make any efforts to ensure that the local environment to me, them or around was sterile or re-explain the procedure. I was terrified in what was already a horrible experience and they were injecting a third needle into my spine. I was sent back to the maternity ward with no clear plan or instructions such as at Busselton I was told i needed to lie on my back for an hour after the patch was done before moving.

At Bunbury I was given no instruction and then on arrival to the maternity ward was told i was ready to d/c and how was i getting home. I explained that I was not informed by anyone including a dr that i was for d/c after the procedure and my closest lift was 90+ mins away in Bridgetown with a newborn and a young toddler. I felt there was no compassion or care for this.

I arranged my lift and told the midwife i will be leaving soon, i asked for directions on how to leave the ward once my partner arrived, the midwife initially offered to walk me then came in and said you will be right to walk yourself down follow the signs. They hadn't seen me mobilise nor did I feel steady on my feet again I felt like an inconvenience and trouble.

What was worse this was the same midwife who had suppported me at busselton and attended the first blood patch I had at busselton but I felt at bunbury their care and interest was 0 in me.

I asked for a medical certificate and d/c summary for myself and for my partner, i was told the dr had left and that i couldnt get one today. I requested a message be left i never heard from the dr or ward.  

Additionally I am a health care worker I have worked on maternity wards in WA and NSW. I expected better care and consideration than what i received and am dissapointed that a complication that was not my fault or my error i was made to feel like an inconvenience and my experience didnt matter.

This all happened within 48-72 hours of giving birth. I have birth trauma from the post-dural puncture, the treatment i was seperated from my newborn and young toddler whilst in Bunbury. I would have thought for a maternity ward that is the primary maternity ward in south west WA the emotional and physical care would have been much higher than what I felt it was.