"Let down by postnatal care"

I had a baby via emergency c-section in the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in September 2022. The labour was complicated and eventually ended in c-section. The delivery midwives and doctors were amazing. Couldn’t have made me feel more at ease and comfortable.

After delivery my partner was sent home and I was put on to a postnatal ward. I delivered very late at night so was put on to the ward at approximately 12 am. I was still under spinal anaesthesia so was unable to move my legs. My baby was put beside me in a crib, around 2am I buzzed for a midwife as I needed help to change him. The midwife was very kind and said they would take him to get changed, fed and a baby check.

He returned shortly after and the midwife said he was perfect, no problems. Around 10 minutes later a doctor came in and said he was really unwell, his liver was compromised and he would need additional testing. Obviously I consented straight away, I wanted him to receive any treatment that was needed.

He came back around 45 minutes later. This might not be exact as I was sitting terrified alone, I couldn’t go with him as I was still under spinal anaesthesia. They returned with him and had a biohazard bag with various bloods they had taken from him. They advised they would get them tested straight away and would be back with further information.

Around 10 minutes later the doctor returned and advised they had actually mixed him up with another baby, there was actually nothing wrong with him. At the time I didn’t really process what was going on, just thankful my baby was okay. 

As time went on I began to realise what had just happened. 

My partner arrived first thing at 10 am (as soon as visiting hours started). I explained what had happened and that I hadn’t slept yet because I was terrified someone was going to take him again. 

The following night, due to a mixture of hormones and being terrified at this point, I had a panic attack. I unfortunately suffer from OCD and anxiety, however I am on medication and cope well with my mental health.

I went to get a midwife because I started to feel very light headed and my wound was very painful, I felt like I had to convince them that something wasn’t right. They checked me and got a doctor, who wasn’t very sympathetic, they just seemed to think it was my own mental health problems. I later found out the following day I had lost more blood during my C-section than was normal. I was never made aware of this and it didn’t seem like any of the ward staff knew or looked at the notes. The panic attack and dizziness I would imagine would be a combination of the blood loss and the trauma of having my baby taken away from me. 

On the second day I explained to a midwife that I was really sore on the wound. They then discovered they hadn’t been given the correct painkillers. Due to the medication I take from my OCD I am not allowed to take ibuprofen, so they hadn’t given me an alternative. 

I found the post natal ward horrific. I was very lucky that I was across from a second-time mum and she was able to help me with the baby, as very few staff were ever available to ask questions to. 

After the whole experience family members and my own health care team advised me to speak to someone about this, but I never did. I know that whichever doctor happened to make the mistake with my son didn’t do this maliciously and I didn’t want fingers to be pointed.

However recently I had to attend the Royal Infirmary A&E with my son and I started to panic as soon as we pulled up. I didn’t really think it had affected me so badly. Becoming a mum took over all my time and my love for him just melted away all the bad memories. But now I am thinking I should speak up. What happened wasn’t okay. With my son it was a genuine mistake, however it happened. I found my general care appalling, I would never return to the Princess maternity, I genuinely don’t think mentally I would be okay. 

The delivery team were amazing and once I got home all the midwives and health visitors I seen were awesome. It a shame my post natal care had to be part of my memories.