"Maternity care from a team full of skill and heart"

Daisy hill hospital maternity team have been a dream team in this my fourth (and last) pregnancy here in DHH.

I was just over 38 weeks when I took very unwell at home with severe back pain, high temperature and vomiting. I was speaking to the consultant Mr Wheeler who advised me to come up for assessment. By the time I got up, an hour later I was shaking throughout my body, my vision was blurry and the back pain was terrible.

The assessment team quickly diagnosed that I had a kidney infection that had turned to sepsis and began my treatment immediately.

The care I received from the whole assessment team was incredible. Joanne the midwife in assessments was fantastic, so reassuring and supportive throughout my treatment, when I was very afraid that something could potentially happen to my baby girl who's heart rate was high in line with my own obscure vitals.

Joanne was so confident and quick to respond. She communicated with me throughout and I felt safe in her teams hands. On comming around somewhat I was transferred to Margaret in delivery for a short time who was so professional and warming. Margaret went off shift then to be relieved by Liz just as my pain returned and vitals went askew again. Liz was a very special and obviously experienced midwife and her attention to detail, her openness honesty, excellence and all round demeanor was not only helpful for me but necessary. I can't even put my finger on it but she had an extra special touch in every thing she said and did with me.

Consultant Dr Khalid was there also and checked in regular overseeing every change and his lightheartedness and humour made me feel safe. The respect and communication between the team was exceptional. Mr Khalid called Liz the professor showing her skills and experience in high regard.

The team gave me time when I needed it, support and laughter when I felt anxious, they not only treated my symptoms but went above and beyond with ease. Then the decision was made that I should have a c section to reduce baby's risk of stress as my vitals just weren't stabilising for long enough periods.

In came the support of the surgical team the senior anaesthetist was clear in communicating with me. The team were all so reassuring and caring , they all had their roles they talked me through every step of the way and Liz was still there through it all.

A fantastic team of skilled women that could be bettered by none, there to deliver my first daughter and she was just perfect despite my own complications and infections. She was and is a little dream.

I was visited by both my consultants Mr Simm and Mr Wheeler the day I gave birth and it made me feel more than just a number in what is evidently a busy maternity unit. I was receiving IV antibiotic treatment and close care on the maternity unit with a fantastic team of doctors and midwives for 5 days before being transferred to CAH.

I have been treated with respect and the team of midwives have been so professional while still treating me with care in the most warming manner. Midwives Suzanne, Leah, Orla and Rebecca made me feel so at ease and comfortable. The doctors were open with me, keeping me informed daily of the plan of action and were upfront about complications.

The healthcare assistants were so helpful and the domestic staff lent a genuine ear for a chat every time they came in. Rita was a particularly lovely woman who does her job with the most positive attitude and always has time to stop for a minute.

A maternity team full of experience knowledge skills and plenty of heart and passion for their job roles. I feel so very grateful for their care of both myself and my baby.