Right to Respond

Healthwatch is committed to providing a transparent and honest view of health and social care services. This is your opportunity as the health or social care provider to have your say on comments the public have left. It is designed to be constructive and allow both sides to have a fair and equal say in the matter so please:

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Original feedback for

Ipswich Hospital (Part of the East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust)


Unsupported

I feel disappointed in the care I received. It seemed no one took charge. I gave birth in Ipswich hopsital, I went in at midnight and my son was born at 7.58 am, during this short time I had 7 midwives and none of them were with me for very long, they were taken to an emergency or another woman came in, no one read my birth preferences and I didn’t feel heard or cared for. I was discharged less than 12 hours after I first went to the hospital, and although I was so happy to be going home I felt like no one had really taken the time to show me how to breastfeed or given me necessary advice and information. I felt like they had missed something. Three days later I was admitted with my baby for his jaundice, the PAU was appalling and traumatised me to the point I am having therapy for it. I was very emotional over my three day stay and felt very depressed, anxious and at times suicidal and I don’t feel many of the midwives understood how to support me, I felt like a burden and I didn’t know how to ask for support and my husband was sent home. I think had my husband of been able to stay with me, especially as I was in a side room I wouldn’t have the post natal anxiety that I do now that needs to be medicated. I also had issues with my episiotomy stitches and an infection, I went twice to triage after birth and I don’t feel anyone took me seriously when I was so traumatised, scared and poorly. I was sent away the first time and I went back less than 24 hours later with a serious infection. Had my husband have been able to be by my side through the whole experience I think I would have coped a lot better, I am six months post birth and still dealing with the repercussions of my birth. I really think husbands should be allowed to stay on the ward with new mums. Especially if they are in side rooms. No new mum should be left by herself, in pain, stitched up, with a brand new baby. There needs to be more support and if there aren’t enough midwives to provide that support the mother should be allowed to bring her own support system to stay with her.