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| Maternity care: Your views | Maternity care: Your views |
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| The Healthcare Commission surveyed 150 Trusts in England for its reportMaternity units in England are being accused of providing a poor standard of care to their patients. | The Healthcare Commission surveyed 150 Trusts in England for its reportMaternity units in England are being accused of providing a poor standard of care to their patients. |
| A two-year study by the Healthcare Commission suggests some hospitals have too few midwives, not enough beds or bathrooms, and in some cases, a lack of adequate pain relief. | A two-year study by the Healthcare Commission suggests some hospitals have too few midwives, not enough beds or bathrooms, and in some cases, a lack of adequate pain relief. |
| BBC News website readers describe their own experiences - as mothers and midwives - of maternity care. | BBC News website readers describe their own experiences - as mothers and midwives - of maternity care. |
| MOTHERS | MOTHERS |
| When I had my daughter last year I had to stay in hospital for two nights. Unfortunately the maternity unit was so seriously short-staffed that I had to empty my own catheter plus I received limited and conflicting advice on how to breastfeed my baby. As this was my first child, I did expect the 'service' to be a bit better and if I do have other children, I would rather go private than face going back to that ward again. Nicola Martin, south Nottinghamshire | |
| I recently gave birth by elective c-section. I found the aftercare to be appalling with one midwife to 13 women. There was little 1:1 support re breast feeding and care of the baby. As this was my second child it was not such an issue but there were first time mothers on the ward who were left alone, confused and scared. Tara, Hackney, London | I recently gave birth by elective c-section. I found the aftercare to be appalling with one midwife to 13 women. There was little 1:1 support re breast feeding and care of the baby. As this was my second child it was not such an issue but there were first time mothers on the ward who were left alone, confused and scared. Tara, Hackney, London |
| My wife gave birth recently and suffered greatly as a result of understaffing and lack of contact time with staff. In the postnatal ward, there were two midwives looking after a total of 29 mothers, plus their babies. At one point she was stuck in a chair holding her baby for nearly two hours, as no staff came to check on her. The statistics don't show the mental and physical trauma that a lot of mums have to go through unnecessarily, due to the lack of basic patient support.Adrian, Wickford, Essex | My wife gave birth recently and suffered greatly as a result of understaffing and lack of contact time with staff. In the postnatal ward, there were two midwives looking after a total of 29 mothers, plus their babies. At one point she was stuck in a chair holding her baby for nearly two hours, as no staff came to check on her. The statistics don't show the mental and physical trauma that a lot of mums have to go through unnecessarily, due to the lack of basic patient support.Adrian, Wickford, Essex |
| The level of care I received when having my son was very good at my local maternity unit and the midwives and other staff were very supportive and helpful. The rooms were clear and kept clean and the unit - although small - was very comfortable. My local maternity unit is great but unfortunately it is continually threatened with closure even though the maternity unit in the hospital in the next town is frequently full and sending new mums home too early which is dangerous. Why close a maternity unit which is working wonderfully when the town is expanding rapidly.Fiona Baker, Bridgwater, Somerset | The level of care I received when having my son was very good at my local maternity unit and the midwives and other staff were very supportive and helpful. The rooms were clear and kept clean and the unit - although small - was very comfortable. My local maternity unit is great but unfortunately it is continually threatened with closure even though the maternity unit in the hospital in the next town is frequently full and sending new mums home too early which is dangerous. Why close a maternity unit which is working wonderfully when the town is expanding rapidly.Fiona Baker, Bridgwater, Somerset |
| I wanted to give birth at a specific birthing centre, but was asked to go to a hospital when I went showed up at the birthing centre. My experience at both places were horrible. Some of the staff were incredibly rude and cruel. I gave birth on Christmas Eve, and the hospitals were understaffed. On Christmas Day no-one checked the blood pressure of any of us in the ward. T Perrie, London | I wanted to give birth at a specific birthing centre, but was asked to go to a hospital when I went showed up at the birthing centre. My experience at both places were horrible. Some of the staff were incredibly rude and cruel. I gave birth on Christmas Eve, and the hospitals were understaffed. On Christmas Day no-one checked the blood pressure of any of us in the ward. T Perrie, London |
| I had a baby in October 2007 and the hospital were brilliant, always help available when needed and all the midwives were lovely. I felt very safe and looked after.Debbie Kimmings, Pickering, North Yorkshire | I had a baby in October 2007 and the hospital were brilliant, always help available when needed and all the midwives were lovely. I felt very safe and looked after.Debbie Kimmings, Pickering, North Yorkshire |
| I am 13 weeks pregnant with my first child and have been seen by a midwife once who was far too busy to answer any of my questions or concerns. She had just 5 mins to fill in a form and give me a booklet before sending me on my way. I managed to enquire about the choices I had as to where I could give birth. There are three hospitals in the area. I was told bluntly that I've got no choice! I hope this is not a sign of the things to come. Lesley Gee, Liverpool | I am 13 weeks pregnant with my first child and have been seen by a midwife once who was far too busy to answer any of my questions or concerns. She had just 5 mins to fill in a form and give me a booklet before sending me on my way. I managed to enquire about the choices I had as to where I could give birth. There are three hospitals in the area. I was told bluntly that I've got no choice! I hope this is not a sign of the things to come. Lesley Gee, Liverpool |
| When I had my baby in September 2007, I had a midwife rushing between four of us. I was discharged from the delivery room straight home with my baby, not undergoing any checks. I had a tear and stitches were put in, it was not done properly now I have a gaping hole, which the health officer saw, but was told nothing else can be done for me. Elizabeth, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire | When I had my baby in September 2007, I had a midwife rushing between four of us. I was discharged from the delivery room straight home with my baby, not undergoing any checks. I had a tear and stitches were put in, it was not done properly now I have a gaping hole, which the health officer saw, but was told nothing else can be done for me. Elizabeth, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire |
| The care I received when I had both my children was fantastic - the midwives and consultants were excellent. The facilities at the hospital were another matter. I couldn't have a shower after giving birth to my second child because there was no water (and the shower was filthy anyway) and when I got onto the ward, my husband was left to remove a dead cockroach from the floor. When he told staff about it, he was told: "What do you expect? This is a hospital."Vicky Meek, London | The care I received when I had both my children was fantastic - the midwives and consultants were excellent. The facilities at the hospital were another matter. I couldn't have a shower after giving birth to my second child because there was no water (and the shower was filthy anyway) and when I got onto the ward, my husband was left to remove a dead cockroach from the floor. When he told staff about it, he was told: "What do you expect? This is a hospital."Vicky Meek, London |
| Of the seven couples in my NCT group, six had caesareans and all have had really bad experiences. The delivery room couldn't be faulted in all experiences but the aftercare was horrendous.Adele Goody, Hertford, Herts | Of the seven couples in my NCT group, six had caesareans and all have had really bad experiences. The delivery room couldn't be faulted in all experiences but the aftercare was horrendous.Adele Goody, Hertford, Herts |
| I personally don't always feel that it's in the best interests of mother and baby to give them too much choice. We rely on qualified healthcare professionals to tell us what is the correct method of care. If it means I don't get to bounce about in a water pool to ensure my baby is born with the highest level of medical staff nearby, instead of simply a midwife, then I think I'm willing to forgo that!Anon, London | I personally don't always feel that it's in the best interests of mother and baby to give them too much choice. We rely on qualified healthcare professionals to tell us what is the correct method of care. If it means I don't get to bounce about in a water pool to ensure my baby is born with the highest level of medical staff nearby, instead of simply a midwife, then I think I'm willing to forgo that!Anon, London |
| I am 33 weeks pregnant with my first child, but I had a pre-term labour scare at 25 weeks. When I went into the maternity ward at 2am, they were excellent. I felt well cared for and they did a great deal to make me feel calm and comfortable. All turned out to be well, but if another problem arose I would feel confident in their care. It put me very much at ease for the real thing in a few weeks' time! Colleen Knox, Reading, UK | I am 33 weeks pregnant with my first child, but I had a pre-term labour scare at 25 weeks. When I went into the maternity ward at 2am, they were excellent. I felt well cared for and they did a great deal to make me feel calm and comfortable. All turned out to be well, but if another problem arose I would feel confident in their care. It put me very much at ease for the real thing in a few weeks' time! Colleen Knox, Reading, UK |
| I had a terrible experience with my second child. I was in hospital because I was being induced. I had a student midwife put the monitor in the wrong place so that my contractions weren't noted. The midwives were so busy chatting to each other that I was 5cm dilated and in a lot of pain before I was even examined. Twenty minutes later I gave birth. The hospital was dirty. Also, when I passed a blood clot in the night I was told by a midwife to stop wasting her time and only call her if it was "the size of a tennis ball". I was only scared because I'd haemorrhaged with my first labour and had to have four pints of blood. I have decided that if I am to have a third child I will have it at home.Niki Herbert, Dartford, Kent | I had a terrible experience with my second child. I was in hospital because I was being induced. I had a student midwife put the monitor in the wrong place so that my contractions weren't noted. The midwives were so busy chatting to each other that I was 5cm dilated and in a lot of pain before I was even examined. Twenty minutes later I gave birth. The hospital was dirty. Also, when I passed a blood clot in the night I was told by a midwife to stop wasting her time and only call her if it was "the size of a tennis ball". I was only scared because I'd haemorrhaged with my first labour and had to have four pints of blood. I have decided that if I am to have a third child I will have it at home.Niki Herbert, Dartford, Kent |
| I am 27 weeks pregnant with my second baby and have had nothing but a positive experience both this time and the first time with NHS maternity services. Our hope for a home birth can't be met due to a problem with this pregnancy. The hospital has been incredibly supportive and fast to act on the problems identified in this pregnancy. It's not all bad. Christine Walls, London | I am 27 weeks pregnant with my second baby and have had nothing but a positive experience both this time and the first time with NHS maternity services. Our hope for a home birth can't be met due to a problem with this pregnancy. The hospital has been incredibly supportive and fast to act on the problems identified in this pregnancy. It's not all bad. Christine Walls, London |
| MIDWIVES | MIDWIVES |
| I am a midwife in London and find that often a delivery bed is used more than once per 24 hours! This is common in most places and don't understand why it is being portrayed as a shocking statistic! That is what the service is for, the low staffing levels and constant low morale among maternity staff is something that is rarely highlighted in these reports even though midwives continue to do their jobs well despite continuous criticism!S. Howland | I am a midwife in London and find that often a delivery bed is used more than once per 24 hours! This is common in most places and don't understand why it is being portrayed as a shocking statistic! That is what the service is for, the low staffing levels and constant low morale among maternity staff is something that is rarely highlighted in these reports even though midwives continue to do their jobs well despite continuous criticism!S. Howland |
| As a midwife I work very hard. The women we care for in our Trust are on the whole treated with respect. Their wishes are listened to and supported and our home birth rate is high. Women feel very vulnerable during pregnancy and need to have trust in their carers and not to feel afraid.Karen, Devon | As a midwife I work very hard. The women we care for in our Trust are on the whole treated with respect. Their wishes are listened to and supported and our home birth rate is high. Women feel very vulnerable during pregnancy and need to have trust in their carers and not to feel afraid.Karen, Devon |
| I have recently left employment as a midwife because of the intense pressure to limit postnatal visits to women. You can support a new mother in two or three visits in 10 days. Also delivery is seen as a conveyor belt with even first-time mothers asked to leave hospital within hours of birth. Midwives in the community are asked to time how long they spend with women at home and to justify longer visits or visits more than the minimum. I found I could not care for women in the way I wanted because of immense pressure from management that the hospital took priority.Tracy, Camberley, Surrey | I have recently left employment as a midwife because of the intense pressure to limit postnatal visits to women. You can support a new mother in two or three visits in 10 days. Also delivery is seen as a conveyor belt with even first-time mothers asked to leave hospital within hours of birth. Midwives in the community are asked to time how long they spend with women at home and to justify longer visits or visits more than the minimum. I found I could not care for women in the way I wanted because of immense pressure from management that the hospital took priority.Tracy, Camberley, Surrey |
| The maternity unit that I work in is due to close within the next two years under the 'making it better' plan for NHS maternity units in the north west. As a midwife I am really concerned as to what will happen to the 1500 births that take place within our unit being transferred to a large specialist unit, which is already under pressure and has to close numerous times due to lack of beds and staff. They are currently building a new maternity unit to replace this one but it will have less beds than the one that is struggling already without the extra births from my unit. It just doesn't make sense, women will have to travel further and will receive less care. The government say they are giving them choice but how can they when they are having the choice removed.Melanie Irving, Manchester | The maternity unit that I work in is due to close within the next two years under the 'making it better' plan for NHS maternity units in the north west. As a midwife I am really concerned as to what will happen to the 1500 births that take place within our unit being transferred to a large specialist unit, which is already under pressure and has to close numerous times due to lack of beds and staff. They are currently building a new maternity unit to replace this one but it will have less beds than the one that is struggling already without the extra births from my unit. It just doesn't make sense, women will have to travel further and will receive less care. The government say they are giving them choice but how can they when they are having the choice removed.Melanie Irving, Manchester |