The Tunbridge Wells Hospital 2018-09-04 Person 2 5 0

I had a very mixed experience with different midwives. I was transferred from Maidstone birth centre at 9cm dilation because time was running out - I had 24 hours to give birth from the early breaking of my waters. The first midwife we were assigned at the hospital was not supportive of our hynpobirthing and active labour. Examples are given below. I feel this significantly impacted my labour, causing distress and ultimately contributing to the ceasing of my contractions which then led to syntocin, failed ventouse and eventual forceps with episiotomy and additional tearing. I had almost 6 hours in second stage of labour. Fortunately there was a shift change just before the interventions began, and whilst too late to prevent intervention, the new midwife, the head of midwives, the consultant and the rest of the team were excellent. In particular, the emphasis was on a collaborative approach which was appreciated. Examples: Upon arrival i was told that the only place i could labour was on the bed. The midwife repeatedly insisted i should lie on my back on the bed despite it reducing the pelvic space and not helping my back to back labour. Midwife declared lights couldn't be turned down and noises on the machines couldn't be silenced. This was contradicted by the midwife covering her break who immediately offered to turn the lights down upon arrival into the room. The heartbeat monitor kept losing signal during contractions and midwife claimed it didn't look good for her notes (there were no concerns about baby at this point) and that the only solution was to lie on my back. The covering midwife gave an alternative solution to place a clip on baby's head, to which we agreed. The midwife placed the clip and conducted an internal examination at the same time. She did not gain consent for the latter procedure. The midwife left me kneeling in sodden absorbent sheets for hours resulting in large blisters. At the change over the new midwife immediately changed the bed sheets. Communication was poor. The midwife announced i was 10cm dilated and that I could begin controlled pushing after 2hours. When informed that my body was already pushing she ignored the comment refused to assist. After several hours, controlled pushing was agreed to. The midwife said this had to be done lying on my back and my breath had to be held for each push. The midwife agreed to a compromise of lying on one side but insisted there was no other option to breath holding. The new midwife and consultant both contradicted this later and said i could breath through the pushing. Subsequently i had a hematoma, possibly due to this breath holding instruction. Upon arrival the new midwife got me straight off the bed to try various positions to encourage the baby out. Unfortunately, by this time my contractions were easing off. The initial midwife had no interest in allowing me off the bed which was hugely frustrating. In addition the new midwife quickly located the bar for the bed to allow new positions on the bed. This was not considered by the initial midwife. The midwife's attitude was very much one that was going to tell me how to labour with no discussion of consideration for my wishes. I found this part of my labour hugely traumatic and have since been referred for counselling. Upon discussion with my community midwife, it was suggested that I faced a locum midwife rather than a regular worker at the hospital. I would suggest that all midwives are checked to ensure they are fully trained in active labours.