“I have a lifelong injury thanks to a poorly managed forceps delivery...I spent years crippled with pain, barely existing"

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2013:

I have a lifelong injury thanks to a poorly managed forceps delivery that I was told I needed because my baby was in distress - when I complained I was told she was never in distress.

 They were short staffed with only one doctor covering delivery. He took the gas and air off of me ‘so I could concentrate on pushing’ then tore me in every direction with an unmedicated forceps delivery.  I was begging for pain relief afterwards.

Because they were short staffed, I was left for 3 hours before I could have surgery to stitch up the tears which I believe is why I never recovered as I swelled so much before being stitched.

Whilst I had surgery, my husband was left for hours with a newborn baby in the very hot pool delivery room where no staff checked on them.

I also had a perineal reconstruction where I received awful care.

Years on I’m only able to have a normal life because I was able to advocate for my care and pay for alternative therapies. I spent years crippled with pain, barely existing. It’s now manageable but I’m still in pain everyday.