Jessica
Jessica was found to have high blood pressure when she was 40 weeks pregnant. After an emergency caesarean she was transferred to the high dependency unit where she was given magnesium sulphate to bring her blood pressure down. She spent six days in hospital. Her baby had a bit of jaundice, but was otherwise well.
Jessica is a 32 year-old White British woman, who lives with her husband and 4 month old baby. She is currently on maternity leave.
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Jessica's pregnancy had been uncomplicated until 40 weeks when she went for a routine antenatal appointment with her midwife and her blood pressure was found to be 160/80. She was sent to hospital, where she spent 13 hours being monitored in the assessment unit before being induced at 2 in the morning. During labour, Jessica was told at one point that she needed an emergency caesarean section and was taken to theatre. However, she was then told that another woman required the operating theatre more urgently, so she returned to the labour ward for a further 12 hours before eventually having an emergency caesarean section. Jessica said she never fully understood why events unfolded this way, but at the time she was so exhausted, she didn’t feel able to ask. Looking back, she wishes she had spoken up more and feels women should be given clearer explanations about why particular treatments or interventions are being recommended so they can make informed decisions.
Jessica remembers very little about the birth or the hours afterwards. She spent two days in the high dependency unit, where she received a magnesium sulphate infusion to control her blood pressure during which time she was allowed only ice chips. She was later transferred to the postnatal ward, where her blood pressure spiked again. After six days Jessica was keen to get home. Her doctors wanted her to stay in hospital for longer, but Jessica felt she could no longer cope with the hospital environment. She found the noise and lack of privacy stressful, struggled to rest, and did not feel safe. Although she decided to self-discharge, she recalls being told by a member of staff, while her husband was briefly off the ward, that she could die if she went home. She found this very upsetting but still felt unable to remain in hospital. She felt much better once home, where she had good support.
Jessica's baby developed mild jaundice but was otherwise well. Jessica initially breastfed before introducing formula alongside breastfeeding. When her baby was around three months old, she felt her milk supply had dried up and switched to formula feeding exclusively. Although she was disappointed by this, she tried not to dwell on it.