Ipswich Hospital
Year of baby's birth
2022
Satisfaction with care from midwives:
Satisfaction with care from obstetricians:
Satisfaction with care from GP:
Satisfaction with quality of processes/facilities:
Satisfaction with birth experience overall:
Model of care
Known midwife (MGP/birth ctr in pub. hosp.)
Why did you choose this model of care?
friend recommendation
What were your choices for this birth?
Water immersion for labour and birth, Support for normal vaginal birth
How did your birth start?
Spontaneous labour (started naturally)
What were your outcomes?
Staff I didn't know attending me, Ongoing health challenges for me/baby, Obstetric violence (eg denied care, forced into decisions, touched without consent, yelled at)
Did you feel you could say No to care/treatments offered (or change your mind about your choices) at any time?
No
Details of experience
We were expecting our first baby, very loved and wanted. We planned the pregnancy for a long time, and we were very excited with Tomas arrival into our lives.
The pregnancy started well, and we did all the recommend scans and checks. After pregnancy week 14, Camila had the first mild bleeding, and from then, she was in and out of hospital a few times.
At week 22 Camila was hospitalized for another bleeding and stay in Ipswich hospital for a few days. On Friday 4th of February (pregnancy week 23) she was discharged of Hospital at midday and same day around 5:30pm she broke her waters at home and had to come back to the hospital urgently.
That night (04/02/22) the doctors in charge and the midwife explain to us the risk of the early birth. We also spoke with a paediatrician about the baby prognosis. That same night, together as a family, considering all circumstances, we made the hardest decision of our life and that was to terminate the pregnancy as we wanted Tomas to have a good quality life. That night, midwifes and doctors, explain to us that the decision was ours and that it would be supported by them. Camila had mild contractions and did not go into natural labour that night.
On Saturday 5th of February, we saw a obstetrician. The doctor's medical conduct during the consultation was not adequate. He had zero empathy, he did not introduce himself, he didn’t even ask our names or how we were feeling. He didn’t check on Camila health at all. As soon as he got in the room, he straight away said that “we couldn’t terminate the pregnancy, that it was illegal to do it” his visit exponentially increase our level of stress and anxiety (already at a level never experience before) We felt we were not listen at all. The Obstetrician suddenly got a phone call and left the room.
This doctor didn’t conscientious object to the termination of the pregnancy, instead due to his own personal beliefs, values, or moral concerns, gave us an erroneous, misleading, and judgmental speech and delay the whole pregnancy termination process pushing both of our mental health’s to the limit. Also, pushing Camila’s physical health as she ends up having to wait 7 days with broken membranes. Camila had a severe acute chorioamnionitis and acute funisitis.
Instead of disclosing his objection and referring us to another health practitioner or service to provide the requested service. That same day, for our own mental wellbeing, we had to ask please not to deal with that doctor anymore. This meant we had to wait until Monday 7 of February to see another doctor/consultant.
Every extra day waiting was a nightmare for us. As a family, we made an informed decision, and we were both 100% sure about it. We wanted the best for our baby and family
On Friday 11 of February, we finally got an appointment at Royal Hospital for the feticide procedure. We had to travel on ambulance from Ipswich hospital to the Royal together with a midwife as Camila was having contractions from Thursday. The feticide procedure took quite a lot of time due to hydramnios and ongoing uterine activity. They had to conduct the feticide procedure twice as the first time didn't work. Straight after the second feticide was completed, Camila was transfer to the birth suite as she was already on labour.
We honestly think that it is not acceptable that a medical professional working in a public Queensland hospital has not adequate knowledge of the current termination of pregnancy law in Queensland, and worse, that a medical professional has not empathy and respect to treat patients & family when they are going through the hardest time of their lives.
*We also requested psychologic counselling while in Ipswich hospital and was never provided.
* Its almost 1,5 years and we are still waiting to get Tomas autopsy results back. This is playing with the family mental health. Its impossible to get closure with some many issues around your baby loss