"Lucky to be in such safe hands"

I would like to thank Catriona (Tina) for going above and beyond her duties. I met Catriona a few years ago after I had my daughter. Unfortunately my care throughout that pregnancy and in the aftermath was very poor and it was only with Catriona that I felt I was in safe hands. She assured me that if I were to have another baby and she was still a midwife in North Lanarkshire then she would ensure she would be my midwife.

Fast forward to 2023 and I was pregnant with my second child. Catriona stuck to her word and took over my care completely. I was extremely traumatised after having my first child and she was a friendly face who reassured me that my experience this time around would be completely different and that it was. Even when she took a new position in Wishaw hospital, she transferred my care with her as she knew how anxious I'd be being under anyone else. A very similar situation had happened in my first pregnancy so this was all very triggering for me.

Catriona (Tina) is an excellent midwife; she came to visit me after I had my son to ensure that we were both doing okay. She is a credit to the NHS and I can't thank her enough for providing exemplary care during my second pregnancy and for sticking to her word a few years on. We felt very lucky to be in such safe hands. Keep up the amazing work! 

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It was also decided that I should receive birth trauma counselling due to the traumatic birth the first time around. I had regular contact with Elaine; email, telephone apps and face to face appointments. Elaine was always very bubbly, friendly and warm welcoming. She provided a safe space for me to discuss my anxiety without feeling any judgement attached.

I felt that I was really able to open up, vent how I was feeling and that my feelings were always validated. Elaine also provided me with various techniques along the way to help me cope with each stage of my pregnancy; breathing techniques and she also reminded me of the importance of self care. Elaine was amazing in liaising with others to aid my journey went smoothly. This involved arranging a theatre tour for myself and my husband which was of great benefit to us. We both felt this gave us ample opportunity to visualise what our planned section would look like and who would also be our team around the event.

Once I delivered my son, he ended up in neonatal care to receive vital medication. Elaine came up to neonatal to check in and see how I was feeling and also to meet my son. I was reassured that if I required further support then that would be provided and to reach out. I felt Elaine went above and beyond. She really made me feel like she really did care and consider my welfare not just throughout my pregnancy but afterwards too. Thank you Elaine you really are a credit to Wishaw Hospital.