maternity ward

new_mum_again

I recently 5mths ago had a big baby 10lb 11oz:eek: but they sent my baby home with a broken collar bone which i only found out 5 days after he was born as his arm just flopped down his side. (i think casualty done something about it a couple of weeks ago) The procedure they used is called the McRoberts (the baby gets stuck behind the pelvic bone and basiclly they have to dislocate the shoulder and pull baby out quickly)and this sometimes results in a broken collar bone.I only found out this by looking through my notes and looking on the web.None told me anything not even there was a possibility of a fracture, I also had a trainee examine my baby after the birth when surely after something like this i should of had a experienced midwife do so.Also the lady in the paper a few months ago that was left not cleaned up after the birth with blood still on her for i think it was 5 hrs was lucky she was not at the same hospital as me I waited 7 hrs before having to clean myself up and the floor in tears. And as my tailbone had dislocated (i did tell the midwife at the time as i heard it pop)it was very painful to bend over.
End of my rant sorry its been so long and sorry if there is too much detail for some people i dont wish to offend anyone.

hollydays

Rant as much as you like.Am quite shocked, poor mum finding this out 5 days later.Dont understand this at all.((hugs))How are you and the little chap now?Ps welcome to the forum.

deaththecat

You poor sausage!
What a horrendous experience!
How is your little one now? Have you asked the hospital for an explanation?
I would suggest to talk to your health visitor about it, they can often be a good source of information and support.

I remember being left in a bed overnight absolutely saturated in blood when I was miscarrying and told to stop making a fuss as I was disturbing the other patients! Not pleasant at all, so I can understand yur distress.

looby75

omg what a nightmare.

I don't know how well you get on with your gp, but if s/he is anything like mine s/he would be outraged at what happened to you and demand an investigation on your behalf.

Also have you contacted Patient Advice and Liaison Services they were fantastic when we were having problems when my dad was in hospital a couple of years ago. They also informed us that if we wanted to make an official complaint about the treatment my dad received (or more to the point didn't receive!) they would be able to help us. It might be worth getting in touch with them for a chat.

I hope your little one is much better now, and you are getting back to normal (what ever that is after having a baby lol) too.

amibovered?

Hi

Just wanted to repeat everyone's good wishes.

Think about talking to the PALS person as suggested or write it all down and just pass it on. The main priority is looking after yourself and your baby.

Take care.

cobbingstones

Hi

I had a 10lber and omg the pain! And to think your now going through all this!

Big hugs to you and your little one. There is a service which the hospital runs (I'm sorry can't remember the name) but a midwife comes to see you and explores and explaines any issues you may have. This information was given to me in my bag of notes etc before I left hospital.

I would certainly take this further and maybe see a solictor. Sometimes this is the only way the big organisations listen, and learn so no one else has to endure your awful experiences.

Wishing you and baba the best

T

new_mum_again

Thankyou for taking the time to reply,Hes doing ok and can now use his arm.:T It was upsetting too for my other 2 children as all through the pregnancy my daughter 5 and son 7 couldnt wait to meet their new brother then when they cuddled him,all he done was scream resulting in them thinking he didnt like them.I will write a letter of complaint but just havent got around to it yet.I did however make copies of my birth notes before handing them back which will come in usefull and have full backing of my midwife i saw all through the pregnancy (but not the birth). my physio was also shocked that i wasnt at least offered a c section even though all through the notes it was written that he would be a 'big baby' and with my last 2 they had difficulties breathing during birth.
:mad:

looby75

It sounds as though you have really really been let down there As soon as you get chance I would DEFINITELY get intouch with your local PALS, they get answers much more quickly than if you just go through the complaints procedure yourself. Good luck.

themaccas

Hi I'm really sorry you had such a bad experience but just wondered if I could help clarify some points for you.
McRoberts manouvere is used when the baby's head is born but the shoulders get stuck under the pubic arch (it's called Shoulder Dystocia). The legs (mums) are pushed back, straightening the sacral area and giving a lot more room for baby to be delivered. Most babies who get 'stuck' are delivered with this simple manouvere and there is no need to yank them out and certainly the shoulder is not intentionally dislocated at this point. If this doesn't work there is a cascade of manouveres that follow to try and dislodge the shoulders, all doctors and midwives are frequently trained and instructed in these techniques. Sometimes even with the best technique, the collarbone will fracture, but because the bones are so soft at this stage and baby's muscles tend to have good tone it can be missed although this is very rare. I too would be upset if it was missed on my baby. As for being left for 7 hours without being cleaned that is also very bad and I can't understand why that should have happened. However maternity units are in a state of overload and priority has to be given to women who are in labour. Therefore if for example, you have 6 women in labour, 2 women who have delivered and only 6 midwives, the 2 that have had their babies will not be given very good care. This is not the fault of the midwives but the government who refuse to give further funding to hospitals to employ more midwives.

I would definately write to PALS to complain as it is only with more complaints will we see something being done about the situation. Just remember it is not always the midwives who are at fault, it is just that they are in the frontline and the 'face' of maternity services and therefore get all the flack!

nicolarichard

Definitely complain, it will hopefully, stop it happening to someone else then!! I complained after I had my first, I had slightly high blood pressure but wanted to go home where I could relax more and hopefully get my blood pressure down. The midwife was very rude to me and told me that someone in a similar situation to me had suffered from a brain hemorage (spelt wrong I know!) not long before!! I told her that really helped to lower my bp!!! Anyway I told my midwife who comes to visit you at home after the birth of my complaint and she took if from there. You really don't need extra hassle when having a baby!!

moozikgal

Hi, hope you and the baby are now ok and getting over the bad experiance.
I too had similar with my baby 5 months ago. i was in hospital for over a week with 4 failed induction attempts. i ended up with an emergancy section which the epidural didnt work so i still had feeling. i wasnt told that there were a lot of complications during the section, i had to find out by reading my notes the left in the room!
both of us are now doing good and hes growing up fast!