New mum says maternity treatment was 'humiliating'

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".

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, you're fine' - but my body needed to push a baby out at that point."

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."

Read full story

Source: BBC News, 24 February 2025