"I was not properly anaesthetised for the c section and had to shout to the surgeon to stop throughout"

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2003:

My traumatic first birth at the JR in 2003 ending with an emergency c section was awful. I wrote a letter of complaint and was apologised to by the consultant anaesthetist (who heard my screams from the corridor and came into theatre to address my pain) as I was not properly anaesthetised for the c section and had to shout to the surgeon to stop throughout. I was looked after by junior anaesthetists and there was a change of shift part way through. I said I would not sue but wanted it on record not to be repeated.

These terrible stories echo so much of what I experienced but as it was my first child I did not fully realise that it was totally wrong to treat a mother as they did. I was traumatised by the birth and so was my son who I was not even able to attend to after the c section. No help was offered. Absolute neglect.

I did receive an apology from the consultant offering to personally do a further c section if I were to give birth there again. I did not want another experience like my first, and had a very different experience in France which was humane and positive.

I regret that I did not make more of a fuss at the JR but I was shell shocked by the whole experience. It has deeply affected me and my son and our family. Poor maternal care causes lifelong issues such as ptsd, trauma and sadly even death as your research has uncovered.

I was told I was not in labour as I was not yet in excruciating pain and it would require that to be in labour. I was then kept in with no c section offered for 48 hours in spite of my waters breaking. Oxytocin did not bring on the birth hence emergency c section after 2 days. Then the experience of the epidural working only partially. Change of anaesthetist shift meant the checks were not completed so surgery began. I was in agony. A passing consultant heard and administered morphine.

I was shell shocked. I was left with my son after surgery unable to move and told to feed him. I asked ‘is it normal to be in agony during a c section?’ The nurse said ‘no’. It was like a bad dream and took time to process just how badly wrong it had gone.

Thankfully I was transferred to chipping Norton cottage hospital and received support and help there. However, I was very shocked and traumatised and very tearful. Nobody seemed able to realise how badly wrong it had gone until the consultant anaesthetist at the JR asked me back and let me talk and explained there were many mistakes made.

Now I think it might have helped to sue as it clearly continued in this appalling vein.