"Lack of communication and confusion over dates"

About: Borders General Hospital / Maternity care

(as a service user),

I am currently 38 weeks pregnant with my first baby and last week had a presentation scan to confirm my baby is breech and to book my elective caesarean for the birth. After my scan I waited to speak with a doctor who I could hear speaking with my sonographer on their arrival. They were discussing my situation and appeared to be unimpressed that I had opted for a section over the External cephalic version (ECV) procedure and I automatically felt very uncomfortable and I hadn’t even met them yet.

When they did come to speak with me they mentioned several dates for my section in late October. I explained my husband works away and asked when this could be confirmed as I had been told prior to attending I would have this date given to me at the time of leaving the hospital. The doctor didn’t really answer my question and told me (as they were beeped away) that someone would call me to confirm from the PAU but they didn’t see it as being a problem. At this point my husband confirmed his next job working away in early November.

I phoned the PAU that afternoon to ask when this could be confirmed for my peace of mind and was told I would get a call back and the staff member needed to double check for me. I then heard nothing for 4 days until I called the PAU myself to ask what was going on. On this call I was told it wasn’t the PAU who could help, it was a different ward entirely and was transferred through. 

On speaking with a nurse I was told that they were over booked for sections and none of the dates previously mentioned to me were available anymore - some of them were deemed over booked.. and the earliest I would likely be seen was early November. This is just days before my due date and another day further away from what I had initially been told. I expressed my concern as my husband works away and this would leave me on my own after a matter of days after the surgery and asked was this confirmed or moveable. I was told I would get a call a couple of days before to confirm my date but this could change based on other emergencies coming in and I could get pushed further. I was also told that if I was to go in to labour due to how close it was to my due date that it was fine as I would get an emergency section - something I was actively trying to avoid. I ended this call very upset, confused and extremely anxious. 

A few hours later I had a voicemail from a doctor telling me I was booked for the date in early November and if I had questions to call back. At the time I was very emotional and upset over it all and waited to call back a couple of days later. I phoned and left a voicemail for the doctor but three days later I have yet to receive a call back from anyone.

I attended my midwife appointment in floods of tears in relation to the whole situation. I’ve had a headache now for a week, I’ve not slept properly and I have been extremely anxious over it all. I appreciate how busy the ward is and that there are other people in the same boat as me but the lack of communication, the confusion over the dates and the situation I have now been left in due to the changes have caused me a lot of distress. 

I am not from Scotland originally and depend solely on my partner for support. Due to the later date and no opportunity to discuss this with anyone I will now be left after the surgery to deal with it alone and it’s caused me a lot of worry and upset. 

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Responses

Response from Leigh Wilson, Midwife, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, NHS Borders 12 months ago
Leigh Wilson
Midwife, Obstetrics & Gynaecology,
NHS Borders
Submitted on 24/10/2023 at 13:34
Published on Care Opinion at 14:08


Good Afternoon,

I am sorry that you have had this experience with your care. This is not the care we intend to provide to expectant mothers.

You are welcome to contact me and I would be happy to discuss this with you.

Kind Regards

Leigh Wilson

SCM Ward 16 and Labour Ward

01896 826316

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