Sunderland Royal Hospital 2016-01-10 Person 5 5 0

The staff who supported me during my delivery were excellent. As we had a long labour we covered 2 shifts and both midwives and student involved where excellent with right level of professionalism and friendliness. We ended up needing an emergency c section and staff involved where best I could have asked for providing updates and allowing for our requests of skin to skin etc, aneathesist involved was so thoughtful keeping us informed and chatting whole way through and came to check in us before he left that night to see how we were doing and what we had named our son. We stayed in hospital 2 further days. We were not clear on what we could get support on from staff once we left the recovery ward post surgery. I was giving conflicting advice on showering ie do it on own or buzz for help, hence showered post surgery on own and got dressing wet as was not aware needed to keep it dry. Second night I was alone as my husband had understood from website that he could only stay first night, k was up and out of bed all night trying to calm and fed my crying son not realising that I could call for help for this with c section. As same midwife staff cover delivery as well as recovery I assumed I could not call for trivial matters. I ended up with blistered bleeding nipples and sore area around scar. The niople damage turns out as indicative of feeding issue which was diagnosed 2 weeks later of tongue tie. Brest feeding support turned up to see me 30 min before we left, when I needed there help the previous day. Turns out with my nipple alignment that I needed to try a different position vs standard cradle all had shown me. As nipples point up and outwards. I h to buzz every time to receive pain meds and was surprised.no one had explained to me what medication I wAs on and. How often would receive it so could help and buzz at right time for it to help staff. I did not receive a visit from physio or get leaflet on physio exercises post c section as documented in my discharge paperwork. With c section thank fully in have had several friends who have had c sections so knew on what to avoid but still have not received any info on excercises beyond do pelvic floor exercises from health visitor and not too do too much but for something like myself who is pushes herself and if sees something needs doing does it needed clearer instruction is what to avoid which led to infection in wound after 4 weeks. What would have helped me is clearer instruction on what. Can as, for help on from staff, being told what meds I was on so could help and buzz when due vs allowing pain to develop, seeing breastfeeding support on first day vs day left hospital and getting physio support. I know we were in over a weekend I've gave birth Friday and discharge on Sunday however aware staffing is 7 days and no difference between week vs weekend staffing in maternity. I cannot fault my delivery care which was excellent however after care due to reduced mmunication etc was not at same standard.