Pregnant mum’s fears dismissed
After two stillbirths and multiple miscarriages, Hokitika mum Kystal Hereaka was over the moon to be pregnant with twins.
But she was anxious her incompetent cervix, a condition that can cause premature birth or loss, would bring heartbreak once more.
Hereaka had a cervical stitch put in early in her pregnancy, ‘‘which basically stopped the twins from falling out’’, she said.
At 23 weeks she moved to Christchurch’s Ronald McDonald house to be closer to the neonatal intensive care unit because she was at a high risk of early labour.
Grey Base Hospital in Greymouth is not equipped to deal with premature babies – those born before 37 weeks of gestation.
Hereaka’s pregnancy progressed better than expected and she was booked in for a caesarean section at Christchurch Women’s Hospital (CWH) at 36 weeks because the twins were breech.
When she visited at the end of the 35th week, she said she was told the caesarean was cancelled and to go home that day because she was no longer in CWH’s care.
‘‘I was in shock. My midwife asked them to reconsider but they refused for funding reasons.
‘‘This meant an over three-hour drive, no cellphone reception most of the way, and no hospital at home that could deliver my babies before 37 weeks.’’
She was told Grey Base Hospital would have to fly her back to Christchurch if she went into labour before the 37 week mark.
‘‘I drove home two days later alone and terrified I would labour by myself in the middle of nowhere, without any way of getting help.’’
Hereaka made it past 37 weeks and both girls were born healthy through caesarean in Greymouth.
‘‘I really do feel like the luckiest person in the world to have them here. I’ve been waiting seven years to bring a baby home – so lucky to have brought two.’’
Hereaka said she felt CWH rudely dismissed her fears though and put her at risk by sending her home too early.
CWH clinical director obstetrics and gynaecology Dr Janet Whineray said the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) could not comment on an individual patient’s care.
The process for high-risk expectant mothers from another DHB was ‘‘to try and safely get them to 36 weeks gestation’’.
‘‘Once they are past the critical 36 week gestation point, a clinical decision is made on whether the expectant mother can safely travel back to her own DHB to birth. We recommend that a relative, partner or friend is available to drive the expectant mother wherever possible. Sometimes transport will be arranged via ambulance if necessary.’’
Women’s Health Action trust maternal and child health manager Isis McKay said Hereaka’s story highlighted a communication failure.
‘‘You would hope that they would sit down with her and talk through her concerns and come up with something that was satisfactory for everybody.’’
Maternity services were often ‘‘stretched and stressed’’, meaning things could be missed.
Women’s Health Action helped women make complaints or give feedback after bad experiences. Communication issues were often the root of the problem.
DHBs needed to improve ‘‘so people aren’t left in shock’’ when decisions were made, McKay said.
‘‘It’s easy to dismiss one’s person’s experience but again and again we’re hearing of people who aren’t getting the care that they should.’’