"My experience of induction, labour and post natal care"

I am writing about my maternity experience in the hope that it helps improve care for other women in the future. There were several points throughout my pregnancy, labour and postnatal stay where I felt that my consent, dignity and wellbeing were not prioritised.

I was induced due to high BP. When this was discussed with me I felt extremely anxious, as I was told that my condition was dangerous but was not given reassurance or clear explanations. I felt as though induction was presented as something that was simply going to happen rather than a decision I had any choice in.

I had vaginal examinations because I was unsure whether my waters had gone as I was leaking discharge. During this, a midwife performed a sweep without my consent, this was incredibly painful and when I asked them did you just sweep me, they  said yes. This left me feeling shocked and upset as I had not agreed to this.

I had asked a consultant on the antenatal ward if I could labour in a pool. I was told this would be possible as my BP had settled. However, when I was taken to a room on the labour ward there was no pool. I asked but was told I was not allowed to use one, which was confusing and distressing after previously being told it would be acceptable. 

When I was taken to the labour room I was surprised to find that the room contained little more than a bed. There was no obvious equipment available to support active labour such as a birthing ball, mat, stool or other aids that are often recommended to help women stay mobile and manage contractions. As someone who wanted to remain upright and active during labour, this made the environment feel very restrictive. I had to ask staff for a birthing ball rather than it being readily available or offered. This added to the overall feeling that the focus was on keeping me in the bed rather than supporting different labour positions or coping strategies.

When labour progressed I was told I needed an oxytocin drip. I explained that I was frightened of this intervention, but I was told that the charge midwife had said I had to have it and that it was not up to me. This again made me feel as though I had no say in my own care.

I was then connected to CTG monitoring. Because I was walking around during contractions to cope with the pain, the monitor was moving. I asked if I could use a wireless monitor as I knew these existed, but I was told I needed a foetal scalp electrode because it would be easier for staff. This made me feel that convenience was prioritised over my comfort.

At one point during a contraction a student midwife interrupted me to tell me to stop moving my hand because it was blocking the IV line and causing the machine to beep. I was using that hand to hold my gas and air while experiencing intense pain and could not stop moving during the contraction. I felt this interaction lacked empathy.

Later, when my blood pressure rose again, a doctor came to speak to us but spoke directly to the midwife rather than to me, as if I was not present. This was upsetting as I felt excluded from conversations about my own care.

After I received my epidural I explained that I wanted to be turned regularly so that I was not lying flat on my back, as I wanted to keep my pelvis open. When the night shift came on I fell asleep. When I woke several hours later I was examined and told that I had made no progress and would need a caesarean section. I had remained on my back the entire time and had not been repositioned as I had requested. I was not offered other options such as changing position or continuing labour to see if this helped. It felt like the decision for a caesarean section was made very quickly.

In theatre I felt extremely scared and alone. The night shift midwife made little attempt to check how I was coping emotionally, and I felt unsupported during what was a very frightening experience.

My postnatal experience was also very difficult. When I buzzed to say I felt extremely unwell I was told that I was probably just anxious, when in fact my blood pressure was extremely high. I later developed sepsis and felt that I was largely left to manage on my own.

While breastfeeding I was leaking blood and had to repeatedly buzz for help to change my bedsheets. I often felt like a nuisance for asking for help.

At one point I was in such severe pain that I was on my knees crying and unable to walk. A midwife then told me I could have oromorph, but this had not been offered earlier despite me explaining several times that I was in significant pain. By that point I had reached a crisis point. After this I had to buzz every four hours to request the medication, and later I was refused it and told to let my regular painkillers work. This led to urinary retention and needing my catheter reinserted.

Finally, I would like to highlight the need for better preparation during pregnancy. My community midwife and antenatal classes focused almost entirely on natural vaginal birth. There was little information about induction, caesarean sections, or how labour may differ if interventions are required. As a result, when induction became necessary I felt completely unprepared, including the likelihood of continuous monitoring and not being able to use a birth pool.

I am sharing this experience because I believe maternity care should always prioritise informed consent, clear communication, empathy and support. I hope my feedback helps ensure other women feel more informed, involved and supported throughout their maternity care.