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"I felt like I wasn't listened to"

About: Maternity Care / Day Assessment Unit Maternity Care / Labour Ward Maternity Care / Postnatal (Ward 22) University Hospital Wishaw / Maternity Care

(as the patient),

This was my 3rd pregnancy but a completely different one - I wouldn't usually complain but after the way I was made to feel I thought it was best to give feedback.

My first two pregnancies were natural deliveries with no problems at all - this one was a planned C section due to baby being breach at 40 weeks so completely different for me.

All the doctors and anaesthetics who done my epidural and surgery etc I couldn't fault them they were amazing and the midwifes who dealt with me during the surgery and in the labour ward were amazing too, so helpful - but once I had the baby the next day around 2pm 2 midwifes approached my bed to talk about being discharged to which I requested to stay an extra day as it had been less than 24hrs.

I was new to everything and experiencing a lot of pain, I then got upset to where the midwives took into consideration about how I was feeling - later that day around 5pm another midwife approached me asking the same questions, I then got upset as I had to explain myself for a 2nd time about how I felt (I also thought to myself why did they ask again do midwifes not talk to each other?)

So after visiting times around 8.30 a midwife approached my bed again told me that I had to be moved to a side room in a completely different ward due to someone needing my bed and told me to pack all my stuff onto my bed - bear in mind 24hrs ago I had surgery.

You'd think they would have put me and baby on bed with my stuff at the bottom and wheel us to the ward, but no so when they came back they took the bed and asked me to push the cot to which I did they asked me to take my time but were walking that quick I didn't know where I was going so tried to keep up with them, was horrible.

Once I got to where I was going I realised it was neonatal ward with baby's born early etc, I was then put into a side room and was told if I needed them to buzz, they left - I sat on the bed looking at my baby to which should be a happy time ended up being a sad time. I went from a room full a mums babies to empty nothing. I was made to walk in pain - I feel like a wasn't listened to or took into any consideration how I was feeling after a new experience and it shouldn't matter if I was a first time mum or not but could u imagine if it was - what a shame.

I then said to myself if they had told me earlier on at 2pm they needed the bed I would have rather went home than stayed and made to feel like that. That morning I asked to get discharged which I was and I'm glad this is my last as I won't be back 

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Responses

Response from Kate Boyle, Interim Head of Midwifery, University Hospital Wishaw, NHS Lanarkshire yesterday
Kate Boyle
Interim Head of Midwifery, University Hospital Wishaw,
NHS Lanarkshire
Submitted on 28/01/2026 at 10:53
Published on Care Opinion at 10:53


Dear Nat923,

Firstly I want to congratulate you on the birth of your baby. I hope you are recovering well and enjoying family life at home.

I am so sorry to read of the poor experience you had through your postnatal stay. It is clear communication has not been what we would have expected and I am sorry for that. I will raise this with staff to ensure we look at these processes to get it right for women in our care.

Thank you for raising this as we can aim to make an improvement with this.

If you would like to talk through this further with me, please do not hesitate to email me and we can arrange a time to chat- kate.boyle@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk

Kind regards

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Response from Carole Burns, Senior Midwife, Inpatients, University Hospital Wishaw yesterday
Carole Burns
Senior Midwife, Inpatients,
University Hospital Wishaw
Submitted on 28/01/2026 at 11:33
Published on Care Opinion at 11:33


Dear Nat 923,

Thank you for taking the time to post your feedback, at what appears to have been a difficult time for you. I hope that both you and your baby are well and you are beginning to recover from your Caesarian section.

I would like to take this opportunity to apologise that you care was lacking and communication also you felt was poor.

In order that I can look into your care in more depth, I wonder if I can ask you to contact me, either by email, or by calling 01698 361100 (Ext 7228). If this is suitable for you we can discuss your concerns fully.

I hope to hear from you, and in the meantime, please take care.

Many Thanks

Carole Burns

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