A first-time mum was forced to clean a bloody toilet shortly after giving birth when a nurse told her “I don't know what mop to use.”

Bernadette Dorrington says she was left “traumatised” by her stay in Mayday Hospital's maternity ward and “humiliated” at having to clean the lavatory herself.

Her stay at the hospital was made worse still by the fact she and fellow mums were served mouldy bread for breakfast.

The hospital has apologised but Bernadette is worried the poor hygiene she witnessed could be putting other mums and babies at risk.

Bernadette, 26, gave birth to baby Lily-Ella on July 1.

The following day, as she was beginning to get back on her feet, she was given a nasty shock.

Speaking from her home, in North Walk, New Addington, she said: “I slowly made my way to the toilet, and found blood all over the seat and on the floor.

“So I went to another toilet and found it in exactly the same condition.

“I told a staff member who said 'I don't know what mop to use' and didn't seem that bothered about it.

“I had no choice but to use as much tissue paper as possible and clean it up myself.

“I was in tears, in pain and distraught. I was also terrified I would catch an infection and endanger my baby girl.”

The following day she was served two pieces of visibly mouldy bread for her breakfast.

Bernadette's mum, Michelle, was at the hospital when the food arrived.

She said: “You could see the green mould all over both slices, it was revolting.

“It had obviously not been stored properly and I later found out the same bread was given to three other mums on the ward.

“When I returned the bread I got an apology and two fresh slices, as well as an explanation that Mayday was in store for new kitchens in October.

“That hospital is always boasting about its deep cleaning, but it just doesn't ring true.

“I couldn't wait to get Bernadette out of Mayday. I genuinely feared for her safety and for my granddaughter.”

Bernadette left the hospital last Thursday (July 10) and has vowed never to return to Mayday.

She said: “Childbirth is supposed to be the difficult part, but in my experience it got a lot worse afterwards.”

A spokeswoman for the hospital said: “We would like to repeat the apology we've already given to Mrs Dorrington.

“We are aware that the bread used for one breakfast was not fresh – and the catering manager visited the ward to apologise personally to the women concerned.

“Because of the very nature of childbirth it is impossible to keep bathrooms from becoming soiled.

“We ask people to let us know immediately if any area is not clean. “As soon as Mrs Dorrington told us about the bathroom, the member of staff she spoke to alerted the housekeeping team and the area was cleaned immediately.”