"First time mum birth experience"

I attended Antrim Area Hospital to be induced just before Christmas. The staff on the induction bay were lovely, my husband was able to be there the whole day until 11pm and overall I had a very positive induction experience, considering that there were different people in different stages of labour on the one ward. The staff were chatty, kind and explained everything that was happening as it was required. 

The fantastic care continued and increased as I was moved to the delivery suite. The care that both I and my husband received from the staff was second to none. Those in particular were Agata, Roberta and Janet. They chatted to us throughout, got to know us and genuinely made the whole experience amazing. I am so grateful to the midwives there who not only delivered our little boy but took the time to provide such excellent care to the 3 of us for the 24 hours I was in the delivery room. 

My only point to note is the contrast I experienced between the delivery suite to the ward. I was moved at 3am, my husband was unable to come in obviously due to the time of night, but I had had an epidural and was unable to move off the bed. My baby was placed beside me in the cot and as a first time mum I felt so vulnerable in those first few hours in the early hours of the morning until visiting hours at 11am and my husband arrived - I didn’t sleep at all. I genuinely felt like I would have rather been at home struggling than be on the ward feeling like I did. This is no reflection on the staff as all staff I encountered were kind and it definitely didn’t help that it was 3am. I feel like, particularly after a huge experience like birth, as a first time mum that some extra attention in those initial few hours can make a huge difference. I very much felt alone in the dark with my baby. 

Overall, I am so grateful for all the care received, particularly in the delivery stage, but I feel there’s scope for further support (practical and emotional) particularly for first time mums on the ward after delivery.