"Fantastic and empowering birth experience"

After an awful first birth experience at another london hospital (c&w) I opted for st thomas’s for my second child whom I’d struggled to conceive.

From the first booking appointment I felt listened to consistently and frequently walked through my previous Labour to work out what had gone wrong and to ensure it didn’t happen again.

Notes were made on the system to ensure everyone I saw was aware too.

Each scan was diligent and thorough and everything was explained to me as it went along.

The actual birth experience was wonderful (even including an induction) and for the 12 hours I was in active labour my two midwives (one trainee) didn’t leave my side. They were constantly checking if I was okay, monitoring baby and giving me advice when I asked for it. They quickly got the doctor in when there was a brief concern but they knew what to do each time something changed anyway.

I fortunately managed to deliver just before the end of their 12 hour shift.

I felt so supported and safe the entire time (completely opposite to my first labour) and despite only meeting them that day felt like they knew me personally and were aware of my history without me having to tell them.

I cannot thank the midwife team enough for such a phenomenal experience. My midwife even came to check on me and baby in the postpartum ward the next day.

The postpartum ward is a bit of a nightmare - take earplugs and an eyemask!! But luckily we were only there overnight.