"Despite repeatedly asking for pain relief, I was made to feel like I was overreacting or being impatient"

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2021:

My experience with the OUH maternity service was in 2021. I was admitted three weeks before giving birth to my first child due to preeclampsia. During my initial stay, I found the ward staff to be kind, friendly, and attentive.

However, my experience took a distressing turn when I went into labour.

As this was my first pregnancy, I had discussed and completed a birth plan with midwives in advance, specifying my preference for an epidural.

When my contractions began around 3 a.m., I informed the night staff and was told someone would come to review me and provide pain relief soon. However, as the hours passed and my contractions grew increasingly painful and frequent, no one came. Despite repeatedly asking for pain relief, I was made to feel like I was overreacting or being impatient.

By 7 a.m., during the staff shift change and morning ward rounds, I was still in pain and untreated. I noticed that other patients, including one who was admitted for non-urgent diabetes monitoring, were seen before me. Even she expressed confusion as to why I hadn’t yet been assessed.

I continued to request support multiple times, only to be dismissed.

At one point, I was even told it might be Braxton Hicks. When a doctor finally examined me, she seemed surprised at how far along I was and immediately called for me to be transferred to the birthing suite.

Unfortunately, by then it was deemed too late for any pain relief. I was rushed downstairs in a wheelchair, in agony.

In the birthing room, I was offered gas and air, and a midwife began guiding me through the breathing process. I asked again about an epidural, and while she said she would call an anaesthetist, she added that it was likely too late.

Shockingly, she then said she would be going on her lunch break, leaving me feeling utterly abandoned and terrified. I pleaded with her not to leave as I knew the baby was coming — and indeed, my son was born within minutes.

The delivery was quick, but it left me physically and emotionally traumatised. I passed out afterwards and was left shaking.