"They made me feel my choices mattered"

I had my baby girl in the midwifery unit and it was a wonderful experience. I wanted to express how excellent our care has been from the midwifery team from finding out I was pregnant to delivering my baby.

My community midwife Claire is exceptional at her job. A real advocate for me throughout and made sure I knew my choices mattered and supported in my choices.

I could have had a very different experience as I would be classed as red pathway high risk due to my underlying medical condition and previous post partum haemorrhage when delivering my little boy a few years ago. However, I was supported appropriately to be able to choose to give birth if possible in the midwifery unit and I did.

My baby girl was delivered naturally and I felt secure that if anything happened bleeding wise I had a cannula inserted by the kind medical team. We didn't need it!

I honestly can't thank Sarah the midwife on the unit that day enough, the fab student midwife and lovely HCA who all made me feel as relaxed and in control as possible. They were so encouraging and calm. I am certain this made my baby's birth a positive experience all round.

I wanted to encourage other women to speak to their midwife about their preferences, they do matter and are listened to!