First Words Autumn 2017 | Page 38

Bromley Maternity Voices

There are many reasons families contact maternity

services to provide feedback regarding their experiences. Local mum, Sarah Birch, shares her personal motivations...

So when I was pregnant again, my husband and I hoped we could replicate our first experience. But this time I developed Obstetric Cholestasis, a pregnancy related condition where your liver stops functioning properly and you get itchy. I was booked in for an induction at the PRUH five days later. Despite being in hospital under consultant-led care, I was still determined to keep my labour as natural as possible. Fortunately breaking my waters was the only intervention I needed. Contractions started 4 hours later (after pacing the hospital corridors!), they built rapidly and 3 hours later, two pushes and our second son was born.

Once again, I was fortunate. I was fine and my baby was fine but it could have been so different had this been my first baby, or if I lacked the confidence to question the doctors. So I wrote a letter to the midwifery department; not complaining but giving my feedback in a constructive way in attempt to help others but also help the service improve and even save money. I wanted to know why was I made to wear hospital stockings when I had no risk factors for DVT? Why was I monitored with the continuous fetal heart monitor

I massively appreciate the NHS. It is an incredible institution that looks after us all as equals. Without our health we have nothing. And that’s why I want to do what I can to protect its existence for years to come.

So when I was pregnant with my first baby I thought; I’m not sick, I’m pregnant, so why should I need a hospital? I was fit, healthy and my pregnancy was straightforward. I had an excellent community midwife who was totally committed to natural childbirth so we opted for a home birth. I know I am one of the lucky women who had a totally positive first birth experience giving birth to our son in our bedroom.