Post Birthing Care and Abuses - In the summer of 1996 I gave birth to my Son, my second child. The birth was difficult. I was very drugged up and weak and fainting during active labour.
A couple of days after my Son's birth there came a social worker into my room knowing I had a disability, was single and a young mum already, coming across as nice and soft spoken she did NOT identify herself as looking to start an adoption process she asked to hold my Son (for a minute) and then brought another woman into my room. I started to ask for my Son back so I could start nursing him, she refused. After continuously asking for him back she said to this woman, “This is always hard.” I had no intention of giving my him up for adoption nor would my family support it. Then this woman she brought in starting going on about how she would have to hire a wet nurse and it sure as hell would not be me her behaviour was atrocious. Finally after at least 15 minutes or so of all this someone came into my room who belonged there and literally chased her out of the room saying THIS BABY IS NOT UP FOR ADOPTION! and that these social workers are such vultures (I couldn't agree more.)
Finally I got my son back and he was safe. but now in 2022 I still dream about this event. It has stuck with me all this time and never left. I wish I had taken legal action after that event and reported this woman for manipulation and taking advantage of her position.
In those many moments I felt anxious, angry, and very vulnerable, terrified and alone in that short time with those women in my hospital room.
I was a target of discrimination of my disability and being single, manipulation of my age at the time and the fact I had a 3.5 year old daughter already and was poor.
I never felt comfortable with my caregivers at the time one head nurse was terrible.I never provided any feedback to the hospital about my experience. Trust no one but your OBGYN.
I wish all the healthcare providers learnt about compassion and to trust their birthing mother, I was crowning and no one believed me. I told one of the healthcare workers to check if I was correct and they were not allowed to, so my mum looked and certainly I was and the rest was a huge rush.
I wish the adoptive social workers were not allowed to go into a patient's room unless invited by the patient. I wish orderlies were allowed to look to see if a birthing mother is crowning.
