Your experiences

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2020: I had my first born in 2020 and had an overall poor experience at the JR maternity unit. My first midwife was rude and snapped at my husband and barely spoke to me. I had so wanted a water birth and to avoid forceps at all costs. However, I felt so unsafe and cared for by our first midwife that I asked for an epidural as I felt I wasn’t coping well and also knew it would mean I would change war

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2020 and 2025: I was told by a previous midwife from my pregnancy with my 10 month daughter that I had FOB "fear of Birth" when actually it was fear of the John Radcliffe. I was explaining to her I didn't want to give birth in John Radcliffe due to my son’s birth in 2020 and explained why. Yet I had no choice but to have my 10 month old at John Radcliffe. Both times have been horrible. My sons was th

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2020: I was given an episiotomy which remained painful for years and now causes me discomfort. Part of my labia was sewn to the wrong part which has left me with almost no labia on one side. Five and a half years on it still itches and is uncomfortable and urine doesn’t flow out properly. I was also left with a tight piece of skin over the posterior of my vaginal opening which made sex very painful. I

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2018: When my youngest was born, and before I held her, she was put under a heat lamp. I commented that her face looked quite red, and they said it was because of the heat lamp, yet they didn't increase the distance from the lamp. With my previous births, I was desperate to get home and pushed beyond my limits to get there. This time it was different; I felt extremely unwell and asked to be admitted.

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2010: I had an extremely difficult pregnancy, including hyperemesis, cholestasis, kidney issues, arrhythmia - every check-up seemed to include something new. I was under the care of the Silver Star team who kept me sane but made it clear there was a possibility there would not be a happy outcome for either of us. We got to delivery and labour went wrong, only saved by the fact that I was kept on a mo

A grandparent’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2020 and 2021: My daughter had two babies at JR. The first wasn't feeding well, but discharged, with daughter being dismissed as inexperienced, worrying & 'you'll get the hang of it'. Baby had a severe tongue-tie. I paid for a private midwife to rectify the problem, (I'm a retired paramedic of many years experience). Second pregnancy, daughter presented in labour, and was told to go home (withou

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2020/21: I am writing to step forward and join the families affected by maternity care at John Radcliffe. I am sharing my full account now because I have only just become aware of the scale of the current investigation, and because I finally feel able to speak after holding this for five years. Our daughter, [daughter’s name], was stillborn on [date] 2021 at 39 weeks. She weighed 9lb 5oz. Before th

Parent’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2025: We are heartbroken parents, grieving the tragic loss of our firstborn son, [son’s name] . It was such a difficult pregnancy, with hyperemesis gravidarium tormenting our brave [mother’s name] morning, noon and night. Throughout pregnancy [mother’s name] also suffered with UTI’s and general bloated feeling from second trimester. One of her final UTI’s she suffered visual disturbances believing this

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2024: When I went overdue, I requested a Caesarean instead of being forced into induction which I did not want, due to the statistical rate of extreme interventions that scared me. I was denied and forced into an induction. Left to hyper stimulate for 10 hours (1 minute on, 40 seconds off), and treatment to help stop it never came. Pain relief denied. Eventually when baby went in to distress we got m

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2019 and 2023: First pregnancy – 2019 In 2019, I presented to the hospital at 24 weeks pregnant with vaginal bleeding and significant pain. I was admitted but no scans were performed, no internal examinations were carried out, and no meaningful assessments were made beyond routine observations. Despite my symptoms, I was discharged and sent home. Six days later, as my condition worsened, I brought

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2025: I had a traumatic childbirth. Although I was experiencing bleeding and the fetus had a weak heartbeat, I was given only two paracetamol tablets and asked to wait, being considered a non-urgent case. Later, I required emergency surgery.

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2001: I had a terrifying and excruciating experience at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford in 2001. Now, nearly a quarter of a century later, I still bear mental and physical scars. I realise that I am fortunate because my daughter survived the ordeal and has grown up healthy and well. When my waters broke late on a Wednesday night the baby dropped to the left and my bump was distinctly lopsided. On

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2020: I nearly lost my life due to the midwife pulling the umbilical cord with my retained placenta causing a major haemorrhage with baby number 1.

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2023: I had my 1st baby in early 2023 and I didn't know what to expect, but I did not prepare for what had happened. I had my usual 40week (I was 40+5) midwife appointment and my blood pressure was taken. It was a little high, but I thought it was nerves due to having a sweep during the appointment. The reading didn't go down, but no protein was in my urine but advised to go to the maternity assessment

A partner’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2025: My partner had a difficult C-section. It was planned but the process didn't go as smoothly as it should have. They nicked a blood vessel during the procedure and she lost a lot of blood. Then they had difficulty getting baby out and he required resuscitation immediately after being delivered. Thankfully he responded quickly and is completely fine. However, despite this the surgical team were by