Your experiences

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

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2025: I am a 26-year-old mother and was under the care of John Radcliffe maternity services during my pregnancy and birth. I am autistic and have ADHD, which significantly affects how I process information, sensory input, and stress. These needs were documented, and I had a neurodivergence passport in place. I was also experiencing significant mental health difficulties during pregnancy. What I experie

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2025: I joined this campaign to raise awareness and to warn others about serious failings in care at Oxford University Hospitals, specifically the John Radcliffe Hospital.   During my late pregnancy in 2025, I experienced numerous and escalating health problems. While heavily pregnant, I attended the hospital on two separate occasions due to severe and persistent pain. On both occasions, I was told the

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2025: My daughter has Erb’s Palsy due to negligence and this would have been avoided if the right thing was done.   The last scan I had for my baby was at 36weeks and she weighed 3.2kg and she was born at 3.9kg. No pelvic examination was done to be sure I was able to push a 3.9kg baby via vagina birth.   I was induced for labour at 40weeks after I have been presented with 3+ of protein in my urine sinc

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2018: This was a complaint email I had drafted but had never sent as I had exceeded the 3 years but it details my experience: I would like to raise a complaint about the care I receive in October 2018.   Unfortunately, I suffered with post-natal Anxiety and PTSD for which I underwent counselling. I then fell pregnant with my second son and did not want to re-live the trauma whilst pregnant and suffer a

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2020: I gave birth to my son in 2020 and had a really bad experience alongside my husband. After that we decided not to have any more children. I complained to the hospital. The person who WAS SUPPOSED to deal with my complaint openly admitted that she went on holiday and forgot about my complaint after falling to respond for weeks.

A mother shared the link below to a Guardian article detailing her experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2012: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/26/couple-twin-died-mistakes-obstetrician-hospital-oxford

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2013: I went overdue with my second baby and, despite the increased stillborn risk, was told I couldn't be induced until day 16. I questioned the risk this would put my baby at to be told "well, if we prioritise you over someone else, then we put their baby at risk instead".

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2025: I got to the MAU at about 1am. I sat in the waiting room until after 3am. I was having frequent contractions and in a lot of pain.   Finally, we were given a room and shut in there for a few hours. My partner had to leave the unit entirely to go to the toilet and then waited ages to get buzzed back in, leaving me alone in labour.   Someone finally came in and left me on a baby monitoring machine

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2023: OUH is my tertiary hospital and it was planned for me to give birth at OUH as my son was diagnosed with a genetic condition in utero and we needed a NICU space on standby. He was born well and came back to the ward with me.   We were supposed to go to a side room as he was likely immuno-compromised but this was not arranged and we were told not possible. I felt the most vulnerable I have ever bee

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 anaestheti

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2007 and 2009: I had my son at JR hospital in 2007. On arrival at the hospital I was told it was very busy due to a full moon! My labour was quite slow to progress and I didn’t get a bed for a while. I had a really lovely midwife who looked after me very well, even though it was very busy. I eventually got a bed and by this point the midwife was going off duty and the replacement came on. The original

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2022: I gave birth to my daughter at John Radcliffe Hospital in September 2022. What should have been a precious and joyful time turned into one of the most traumatic experiences of my life. I had a C-section, and my daughter was taken to the NICU for 24 hours. No one came to update me, and no one offered to take me to see her. I was left in my hospital bed, desperate for news, frightened, and alone.  

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2018: Our son was born in 2018 at the JR hospital after being induced 14 days overdue. Throughout the whole pregnancy our son was measuring 99th centile. We knew our dates as he was IVF so there was no confusion over conception times.   At our 34 week growth scan the baby measured 7lbs 14 oz. At the following midwife appointment at 36 weeks the baby was measured at 43 weeks the practitioner taking the

A mother's experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2015: Failed by inexperienced staff. I wasn’t listened to despite several requests to deliver my baby. My baby died full term. My family will never recover, the ripple effects are endless and forever unfolding.

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2022: Due to being diabetic, a caesarean section was deemed the safest way to deliver my (second) baby. This was not the case.   The team that did my caesarean managed to 'nick' one of my arteries. Unaware of this, they stitched me up and transferred me across to a bed. I was bleeding profusely. I was then moved back to the theatre table.   As my blood pressure dropped to 54/11, I could feel the epidur

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2006-2007: This is a very brief high level account, my husband has a better recollection of all the details and my medical notes. I was sent to OHU at 20 weeks following a placenta abruption at 12 weeks as by now my waters had broken just after the 20 week scan.   After being sent up for a scan at OHU with [female consultant's name],  who didn't look up from the scanner before saying "this problem shou

A mother’s experience of Oxford University Hospitals Maternity Services in 2008-2009: I was pregnant with identical twin boys so many hospital visits as my waters were leaking from 17 weeks, but they would not believe me. I was finally admitted to hospital at 27 weeks because waters were still leaking – now they believed me.   One day I remember clearly a midwife called dr because one of baby’s heart rates did not look right, this was few days before I went into premature lab