"Please avoid birthing at Newham General Hospital"

My waters unexpectedly broke 36 weeks into my pregnancy. Was told I could no longer give birth at the birthing centre and transferred to main labour ward and larch ward across my 7 day stay.

Staff were incredibly rude and unprofessional towards me. Scaremongering tactics including a Dr who said that as my waters had broken preterm that my baby could be born with cerebral palsy and even did a mock gesture of a disabled baby.

At one point she drew me a crude diagram of how a baby comes out of your vagina when all I asked was about the side effects of the hormone drop she was about to administer.

Everything I had learned at NHS and NCT antenatal classes were completely disregarded at the hospital e. g. You must birth on your back, you must breastfeed. Staff completely ignored my birth plan and did not do delayed cord clamping.

Toilets were blocked for over 18hrs and when I asked for toilet tissue to be refilled, staff replied 'I am not a cleaner'. Canula incorrectly inserted into arm which filled with fluid instead of into my vein.

Staff made no attempt to read on my maternity notes about my history of depression and anxiety which would have helped them to support me better during my traumatic labouring experience as a 1st time mum.

Husband and I were left completely alone whilst I was at a critical stage of active labour where baby lost heartbeat on monitor. Husband had to use emergency help button but staff were rude and annoyed that he had done so.

Constant lack of info or updates when you ask reasonable questions such as approximate discharge time/dates. Staff lost my medical file for several hrs and kept asking ME where it was?

Shower room was blood splattered and had a rodent/pest trap in the corner. Shower then sprayed water out of the length of the hose and not the actual shower head. Having had enough of the sheer amount of unprofessional and argumentative staff, finally got an amenity room £70 for last 2 nights just to ensure I didn't suffer mentally any further.

Will now need to follow up with a referral to the perinatal mental health team to avoid post natal depression as a result of my traumatic experience at this hospital.

Women in labour and post natal recovery are incredibly vulnerable and need supportive and attentive staff with good communication skills. We deserve better. This whole experience has made me reconsider whether I ever want to have another baby ever again.