"they told me it was one of the largest cases of anal prolapse they had seen"

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2012:

I initially thought I was just very unlucky — a one-off case. I submitted a complaint at the time, but it clearly went nowhere.

In the last week of June 2012, three weeks before my due date, I was admitted to the JR after suffering a rectal prolapse overnight. I went through triage at the main hospital, where doctors attempted to reduce the prolapse without success.

I was then admitted to the maternity ward and placed in a private side room. I remained there for nearly a week, heavily medicated due to severe pain and the high risk of bowel rupture.

Despite the seriousness of my condition, no surgeon came to assess me. Some midwives dismissed the prolapse as haemorrhoids, overlooking the potential for rupture or permanent bowel damage. The maternity staff discussed the possibility of a caesarean section but failed to make a decision.

One night, an [description] midwife explained to me that the tremors on the heart rate monitor were contractions, and that I would likely deliver in the morning. She told me to make sure the morning staff checked whether I was dilating.

That night I was already 4cm dilated, and because of the strong medication, I wasn’t feeling the contractions as pain — only as light fluttering sensations.

However, the following morning the midwife dismissed this, refused to examine me, and even told me I could safely carry the pregnancy another two weeks past my due date — meaning potentially five more weeks in that state.

I had already called my husband and told him to be there for 8am, as I believed I’d be having the baby. I’d also had a shower in the bath the night before, which was dismissed by staff. When my husband arrived, I overheard staff saying: “I don’t know why she’s called you, she’s not having the baby. She’s just got cabin fever from being stuck in that room too long.” When he came into the room, I insisted we go outside for a walk.

As I crossed the pelican crossing outside the maternity ward, I knew the baby was fully engaged and time was running out. My husband quickly fetched a wheelchair and rushed me back into the hospital.

By the time I reached the delivery suite, it was too late for an epidural. The midwife there was clearly stressed and admitted I should have been brought in much sooner. They tried to contact a bowel specialist urgently, as I should not have been attempting a vaginal delivery due to the prolapse. I was instructed not to push to avoid bowel rupture — but it was too late. The bowel specialist only arrived after I had already delivered.

When I was taken back to the ward after giving birth, the midwives looked shocked and exclaimed, “Oh my God, she’s actually had the baby!”

Afterwards, I was photographed for a medical journal, as they told me it was one of the largest cases of anal prolapse they had seen. My recovery was long and difficult. I remained in hospital for several more days until I was able to open my bowels, before finally being discharged.