A woman has detailed her distressing experiences with midwifery care during and after childbirth, highlighting concerns about the treatment of pregnant women in some maternity settings. Her account, which spans two pregnancies over a period of more than a year, raises questions about communication, pain management, and support on maternity wards.

During her first birth, she describes enduring severe pain without effective relief. Despite repeatedly asking for stronger medication, including paracetamol, staff reportedly refused, leaving her in discomfort for hours. She recounts being dismissed when she inquired about her pain, with one midwife explaining that surgeons sometimes tear abdominal muscles instead of cutting them to hasten delivery, a practice that may result in prolonged soreness. Her discharge was reportedly accompanied by a lack of empathy, illustrated by an incident in which a cardboard bowl was thrown at her when she requested to leave.

At home, her interactions with community midwives did not provide reassurance. One midwife reportedly issued a stern warning against household chores, citing a severe example of a woman who suffered a serious complication after lifting a vacuum cleaner. These experiences contributed to her anxiety about subsequent pregnancies.

When pregnant again, the woman sought to avoid a repeat caesarean section. Although she received multiple leaflets about vaginal birth after caesarean (VBAC) from various midwives, she claims to have learned crucial medical information about the risks of uterine rupture—such as the increased danger of attempting a natural birth within two years of a caesarean and associated mortality rates—only through her own research online. Her concerns about uterine rupture reportedly were met with apparent unfamiliarity or dismissiveness by some midwives and a lack of detailed explanation beyond promises of monitoring during labor.

Approaching her second delivery in May 2022, she declined pain relief methods like gas and air, citing her apprehensions about masking rupture symptoms. A midwife she identified as Gene reportedly dismissed her worries and her refusal to use analgesia as harmful.

During labor, the woman experienced intense pain as her baby became stuck in a back-to-back position—a complication where the baby’s spine presses against the mother’s—resulting in prolonged pushing without progress. She said her repeated insistence that something was wrong was initially ignored, with medical staff suggesting the baby might turn naturally. Eventually, a decision was made for an emergency caesarean after concerns about operating theatre availability and anesthetist staffing caused delays. The surgery confirmed the baby was obstructed in the birth canal and that she had sustained a uterine tear, which was repaired.

Following the traumatic delivery, the woman reportedly chose to leave the hospital promptly, taking her own pain relief medication to manage postoperative pain. The experience led to tensions with her partner, who ultimately underwent a vasectomy, ending their plans for more children.

While expressing gratitude for having two healthy children, she emphasized that many infants do not survive due to shortcomings in maternity care. She called for urgent improvements in attention and resources for maternity services, noting that while national healthcare initiatives for the elderly are important, equal priority must be given to the care of newborns and their mothers.

The account is adapted from excerpts in the forthcoming book *This Did Hurt* by Sarah Close, to be published later this month.