"Overall a mixed experience"

I had a planned caesarean section with my first baby at the Princess Royal Maternity Hospital. Leading up to the op I felt extremely well informed. During the op the staff were absolutely amazing, making me feel calm and relaxed despite how terrified I was. The anaesthetist even took photos of key moments for us which I will treasure forever. 

After the op, my experience was not as good. We were told my husband couldn't stay overnight and when I asked if I would get help changing the baby etc I was advised to avoid buzzing for help unless completely necessary because there were only 3 night staff on. I could have really done with the rest and found myself in pain as I changed multiple nappies in the night.

The ward was so hot I was sweating the whole night and I didn't sleep a single hour since other people's babies were crying all night and patients were snoring so loudly. We also didn't realise we should have been waking the baby for feeds as nobody told us, so in the morning when we were told about this, it was too late and the baby had gone a long time without feeding.

In the morning, I got upset because there were so many different staff and volunteers visiting us saying the same thing about breast feeding over and over. It felt like I was doing a really bad job and had been a special case that needed singled out when it may have just been a coincidence.

We also had to go and get our own food rather than be brought it by staff. I think this is not right to expect patients just out of surgery to be carrying trays and standing waiting in line for toasters etc.

On the other hand, the staff did make sure everything was done to make sure baby was feeding well before discharging me and when I told then about how hard the night was, I was allowed to have my husband stay with me overnight the second night. The second night was cooler and quiter so I got more sleep. Overall a mixed experience.