"Positive birth experience"

My baby was born in the second week of August - it was an undeniably busy week for the maternity team at Raigmore but despite this their support was incredible. The team was endlessly patient. My baby really struggled with feeding due to her size, mucus and jaundice. I really struggled with exhaustion and frustration. Ellie, Erin, Vanessa and Amanda (and others whose names have been lost to the postpartum fever dream), got us through the late nights with colustrum harvesting, cap feeding, pumping and toast. Lisa, Rhona, Hazel, Jo and again others got us through the days - answering all the questions and teaching us how to do things with incredible kindness. 

My only slight grief with the experience was my labour taking place at night. I was brought in around 9pm and my husband got sent home and told to return at 11 in the morning. I was in a room with 3 other women, 2 of which were sleeping and 1 of which was also in active labour. There were at least 2 partners in the room, making me frustrated mine got sent off. I laboured unexpectedly quickly, which meant I did most of the labour alone, quietly and in bed. I had hoped my husband would have been able to support me through this - he got phoned in at 5 in the morning to come back when I got transferred to the labour ward. I had minimum contact during most of my labour - and I don't know if i would have been offered and epidural unless I'd asked for it. Despite this my labour team Abbey and Laura/Lauren were again lovely and supportive once I was on labour ward - they kept me and my husband well informed of what was happening. 

I'd also want to flag the lovely antenatal support given at my growth scans from Sheena and Jenny/Jenni. Sheena especially was a rock and so good to have a constant touch point who knew my case and really took the time to talk us through things and even show us the labour and maternity ward in advance so we could manage our expectations. 

Overall the experience was very good and I can walk away with a positive birth story and a good supported transition into motherhood. The team is busy and understaffed - that much is apparent, but very capable and kind.