Oxford maternity ward left new mother feeling 'vulnerable'
More than 250 people have come together in a Facebook group to share stories of issues they have experienced with maternity care.All of the women were treated at Oxford's John Radcliffe (JR) Hospital, which is run by Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH).Among them is Oria Malik, who told the BBC that following a "tough" labour her aftercare was "humiliating" and left her feeling "very vulnerable".In a statement OUH said: "The safety and wellbeing of mothers and babies in our care is central to our maternity services."
Ms Malik gave birth at the JR seven months ago, and said what began as a positive experience "quickly turned" after her pain levels were ignored."I just felt really isolated because I couldn't communicate to anyone how much pain I was in," Ms Malik said."I told the midwife that I felt the need to push at 7am, and she said 'oh no, you're not in labour, your fine' - but my body needed to push a baby out at that point."
'No privacy'
While inserting a cannula into Ms Malik's arm following the birth, one nurse was "so rough" with her hand that she "ended up with a blood clot" in her vein that has "still not really healed".Separately, Ms Malik said a maternity support worker consistently left the curtain open to her space on the ward.She said: "There were people and families in the bed's opposite who could see me laying in a bed - I didn't have any clothes on.""There was no privacy - I found it really humiliating and [it made me feel] very vulnerable."
Yvonne Christley, chief nursing officer at OUH, said: "We are very sorry that some women have not experienced the quality of care they should expect."We encourage anyone who has concerns about the care they receive at OUH to share their concerns with the team caring for them, our complaints team, or our Birth Reflections service, which offers support to women who have had difficult birth experiences."Ms Christley added that OUH delivers about 7,500 babies each year, with most patients reporting a "positive experience".
The Facebook group, of which Ms Malik is a member, is calling on the government to launch a public inquiry into the OUH's maternity care.A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care said: "Too many women are not receiving the safe, personalised and compassionate care they deserve, but through our Plan for Change, this government is determined to change that."We will support trusts to make rapid improvements, and we will work closely with NHS England to train thousands more midwives to support women throughout their pregnancy and beyond."
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story you can visit BBC Action Line.
You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
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