As Rachel Coles lay in agony during her 54-hour labor in September 2021, she lost three liters of blood due to a hemorrhage caused by what she believes was a lack of timely intervention. 24 hours after her waters broke, she was still not fully dilated and was placed on the antenatal ward, enduring severe contractions without adequate pain relief. Despite her requests, an epidural was only administered twice and failed, causing her immense suffering. After finally being told she was ready to push, she endured two hours of intense pushing as doctors expressed concern that her baby might get stuck. During this time, she overheard one doctor admit that a C-section should have been performed hours earlier, a comment that provided her with a final burst of energy to deliver her son. However, her ordeal did not end there. The prolonged labor and use of a Pitocin drip had caused her placenta to disintegrate inside her, leading to a small tear in her uterus and further blood loss. As doctors rushed to stop the bleeding, Rachel was handed a form consenting to surgery, which could have resulted in a full hysterectomy. Three hours later, she awoke with no explanation of what had happened or any proper aftercare. Despite experiencing PTSD as a result of her traumatic birth, she was only offered a birth reflection review appointment two and a half years later. This incident highlights the alarming state of maternity services in the UK, as evidenced by the Birth Trauma Inquiry’s call for a complete overhaul. The inquiry found that the percentage of maternity units rated as inadequate has increased from 7% to 15% since September 2022, leading to a postcode lottery of care. Conservative MP Theo Clarke, who chaired the inquiry, emphasized the unacceptable disparities in the level of support and pain relief offered to women during childbirth, particularly among Black and Asian women. The inquiry also raised concerns about the lack of specialist mental health services for mothers. Rachel’s experience is not an isolated case. Beccy Dickson nearly died in 2008 due to a postpartum hemorrhage that was dismissed by nurses. Meg Hill was left with PTSD after giving birth in 2023 due to a lack of care and compassion from staff. Amy Collier experienced a postpartum hemorrhage in 2023 and was left feeling panicked and cold due to the lack of attention she received from midwives. These harrowing accounts underscore the urgent need for improved maternity services in the UK, as women should not have to endure such traumatic experiences during what should be one of the most joyous times of their lives.
Shocking UK Maternity Care: Inquiry Calls for Overhaul Amid Damning Evidence
