A mother had to spend over £1,000 on a Travelodge stay after having an emergency Caesarean section and being discharged from the hospital the next day, while her newborn baby remained in special care. Elliza Hill, 23, gave birth to her son Arlo on October 20 at Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil. Despite hoping to breastfeed her newborn, Elliza was informed that the only place for her to stay in the hospital was next to Arlo’s bedside, on a chair. Facing a two-hour round trip to visit their son and allow Elliza to rest and recover, she and her partner Aaron Jones opted to stay at a nearby Travelodge for more than £1,000.
Originally planning to give birth at Tirion Birth Centre in Llantrisant, Elliza was redirected to the maternity unit at Prince Charles Hospital as her labour didn’t progress as expected. She endured a painful journey to the hospital, as it was considered the best option at the time. Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales Hospital, closer to her home, was not available for maternity services as the unit was closed due to urgent renovations. The closure, initially planned for 12 weeks, extended as structural issues were discovered with the hospital roof, postponing the reopening until the New Year.
Following an emergency C-section due to a drop in Arlo’s heart rate and the presence of meconium in Elliza’s waters, Arlo was born with an infection, which Elliza suspected was a result of him ingesting meconium. Elliza recounted her post-birth experience, expressing confusion and distress during the procedure and inadequate pain management and care post-surgery. Arlo was transferred to the neonatal unit for special care as he developed sepsis, requiring Elliza to undertake long walks to see him due to the lack of support.
With her partner Aaron sleeping in a campervan in the hospital car park to remain close to Arlo and Elliza, the couple hoped for temporary accommodation near the hospital. However, this option fell through, and Elliza was discharged, forcing her to travel back home to rest. Despite needing rest and recovery, Elliza soon developed an infection, possibly from her excessive movements immediately after birth. With subsequent antibiotic treatments, she faced challenges in caregiving and breastfeeding, leading to the decision to forgo breastfeeding Arlo due to medication constraints.
After enduring strenuous daily travels to the hospital, Elliza and Aaron eventually resorted to a 10-day stay at a Travelodge, costing them £1,000, to ease the burden of the long trips and allow for a more conducive recovery environment. Reflecting on the challenging situation, Elliza highlighted the importance of Arlo’s health and their family bond amid the difficulties. She faced postpartum recovery complications, including persistent pain and ongoing medical treatments, while balancing the demands of caring for a newborn in the special care unit.
In response to Elliza’s ordeal, a spokesperson for Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board expressed concern over her experiences and encouraged her to report her concerns for investigation. The Health Board updated the community on the maternity unit’s essential maintenance progress at Princess of Wales Hospital, attributing delays to the main building’s roof replacement. As Elliza and her family navigate the aftermath of Arlo’s birth and the challenges they encountered, they strive to stay resilient and hopeful for better days ahead.