"The level of neglect, dismissal and just rudeness that I encountered in that vulnerable state brings me to tears"

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

I was booked in for IOL on Fri 16th May due to severe PGP, I'd been housebound for a couple of months and very depressed. They started me off with the gel, but the suite was too busy, so they let the contractions wear off. This happened again during the next day.

I eventually went down and had my membranes ruptured and was hooked up to oxytocin. Midwife was sweet. I had been very strongly advised not to deliver on my back and definitely not stirrups, due to pelvis, by physio and PGP charity.

Obstetrician was rude and dismissive and insisted on stirrups. This was now 7amish on Sunday. She wanted to take me for C section as I was exhausted, but the baby was healthy - I kept checking - so I refused the section. Failed ventouse - obs accidentally stood on vacuum release - and forceps delivery. Fortunately a very healthy baby - apgar 10 at about 9.20.

There was a lot of blood (both husband and I were chemists working with high volumes of liquids and could see her estimation of my blood loss was way off). We were left in Delivery suite. I was pretty out of it. J held babe. A couple of times I tried to sit up but my hands and feet swelled enormously and went purple.

At 1.30 that afternoon a midwife came in and I clearly remember her saying “oh my goodness, you're still here and you haven't been cleaned up. Has anyone been in?” Husband replied 'no'. I was taken to recovery.

At 10.30pm I was taken to the ward. Just dropped off. Husband was with me. About 11pm a midwife came in (first contact with ward staff) and said to my husband "what are you doing here, visiting is over" I said 'I've just arrived from recovery and I can't lift my baby out of the crib' her response 'well you shouldn't be here then'. I still need crutches to walk.

I remember there being blood all over the walls and floor in the bathroom. I’d been told to get to the midwife led unit as soon as I could after delivery and was able to the following morning where I was able to have a bath.

My HV was clearly concerned about me when she visited 10 days later and discovered I hadn't had any bloods taken after delivery. I was so lucky to have a healthy baby. The level of neglect, dismissal and just rudeness that I encountered in that vulnerable state (first born) brings me to tears.