I was just wondering the other day – After my sister had her baby last week and about the aftercare she received in Maternity! Here goes;

She went into the labour ward Tuesday evening and had the best midwife and team we could have ever possibly imagined – I actually thought this is what its about, brilliant care and attention, perfect support for her and us! Yes they took it as part of their jobs to support the family as well!

Then Baby Isabella was born Weds am, it was not an easy birth and left my sister in a bit of a state! She was moved down to Maternity! We were not allowed to visit her here till later that day so we left and went to do a few bits!

So bearing in mind that we left her at midday and got back at about 6pm nothing was said or done with her in this time! No one came to see her, check her or the baby or anything! I was appalled! So I went to look for help and got told by two different people that her midwife had to see her! So we waited and by the time I left at 8 no one had appeared to do this job yet!

She said the little one started crying in the night and she could barely move to pick her up so she buzzed for help! The midwife that was on duty then came and told her to keep the baby in her bed attached to her breast? How is this right!? What are jobs in nursing coming to these days?

The morning shift change came around again and she got told off for doing this! I mean how much conflicting information can you give to a new first time mother?

She did not get the appropriate after care and support that she needed! We were appalled and shocked at this! They were also meant to monitor the baby’s heart beat through out the night as well and this was not done either?

Sorry about the long rant but it was just so shocking I had to get it out! I mean how much worse would you expect those in these jobs of support to behave! It was awful! Especially to someone who had been through a long and complicated birth! I just wanted to know – is this normal for those in hospital jobs?

There is quite a difference between Midwifery and General Nursing.

The Government tend to throw less money into Midwifery because ultimately birth is natural and most women need very little intervention. Midwives have a great deal of legal responsibillity and very little help. Often the patient to midwife ratio is dangerously high.

When i had my son i had been asked if i would like a drink of water or cup of tea by one midwife, who then went off duty and i was left 4 hours without analgesia or a drink.

Unless people make proper complaints things will not be made easier for the midwives in the NHS.

Do write a complaint. Without pointing out that things are not acceptable the managers think they are doing a great job at running a department.

nursing is now very politically run rather than care orientated. many managers are not nurses and come from backgrounds where things are business run. with little or no knowledge and lack of care and support from managers and being understaffed nurses and even midwives nust be feeling pretty peeved off. i know i am.
i wouldnt ever encourage anyone to go into nursing.