My experience wasnt the best (Hospital Births)

Member Name: Shellywelly

Product:	Hospital Births
Date:	30/09/08 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Doctors and special care available

Disadvantages: Just another number

I am still undecided about hospital births, mine was very traumatic, however saying that I do feel its the safest option.

I was induced so I had little choice but to have my son in hospital, in ideal circumstances I wouldn't have gone into hosipital until ready to give birth, instead I had to stay there to be constantly monitored after the pesseries to induce me. I found I had painfull contractions after given the second pessery and as visiting was due to finish I asked if my birthing partners could stay with me a little, the nurse agreed as long as I kept the curtains closed.

Soon another nurse arrived and told my birthing partners to leave, I explained the other nurse said they could stay but this midwife refused to allow that, I begged her to allow one to stay as I was in a lot of pain and was frightened, she told me to stop being so childish and that is what labour is like!! I was absolutely shocked and was unable to sleep all night due to the pain and spent half the night in the bathroom because I was in so much pain I was crying and didn't want to wake any of the other woman in the bay of 6 beds that I was in.

Finally the next afternoon I was transfered to the maternity suite, I had a agency midwife that was ok, but she could of done better. Due to having a induction and a failed epidural I wasn't allowed to even have a drink of water during my long labour incase I needed to have an emergency C section under GA. I do understand the reason for this but I was incredibly weak and thirsty, and although I had a natural birth I almost didnt have enough energy to push. The agency midwife went off shift and I finally had a great midwife for my last hour of labour. She was brilliant and really spurred me on to make me believe I could do it. The after care was quite good on the maternity suite, and they told me to go for a bath, it did however take me ages to get back out again afterwards!!

When I was transferred back to the ward I was in a bay again and the shock of everything hit me, but the staff were not very warm and I felt very alone. One of the mums took me under her wing and it helped me a great deal. The next day I was meant to be discharged in the morning but the ward was so busy it was the evening by the time I was discharged.

Summary: Mine was a bad experience but as a whole I still feel I would choose a hospital for the safety facto