"Pregnancy and birth with the CoMC in Craigavon Area Hospital"

I found out I was pregnant with my first baby at the beginning of 2023. I was assigned to the Continuity of Midwifery Care in the Craigavon Area. 

I cannot recommend it highly enough and am absolutely delighted that I was able to be part of the initiative. 

My midwife was Sarah. Sarah was a fantastic support to me and my husband all throughout my pregnancy, offering constant reassurance and letting me know the whole way through there was always someone on the other end of the phone I could speak to whether it was in the continuity team or at the assessment unit.

My pregnancy was risk free, thank goodness and Sarah was fully supportive of my birth plans/preferences and put my mind at ease any time I had any doubts or worries about my upcoming labour. 

I met almost all of the continuity team throughout my pregnancy at appointments or at the scheduled meet and greets which again was so helpful knowing I would recognise the faces of the midwives when the big day came. 

I can't speak highly enough of Vicky as well! As a midwifery support worker she always greeted me with a big smile and caring words. I received reflexology from Vicky too and it was a lovely way to relax as my due date approached. 

The big day came and I arrived into CAH at around 7.30am 

Sarah met me in the triage room with a big smile and said "You've timed this well!" as she had just started her shift for the day!

I was triaged quickly and then taken up to the MLU where I laboured in my own room with my husband - Sarah came in every 15mins to check the baby's heart rate but apart from that I was left in peace (as per my request). 

After 4 hours unfortunately my labour wasn't progressing as expected and Sarah suggested I should have my waters broke. I was able to ask her questions on what it involved and how my labour would progress afterwards and she reassured me and helped me make an informed decision to go ahead with it. 

Sarah helped me remain calm throughout all of it. Once my waters broke things started to ramp up and Sarah was on hand to recommend different positions and helped to fix me a bath to manage the pains. 

The baby had to be moved at one point and again Sarah managed this with complete calmness and talked me through the whole thing. 

When the time came for delivery Sarah was a fantastic support - I felt so safe and like she had everything under control. 

I had a very speedy labour and delivery after my waters broke so I was very lucky that way and my little boy was born at 5.14pm just before the end of Sarah's shift!

I was incredibly lucky to have had Sarah there throughout my whole pregnancy, labour and delivery. 

If we are ever lucky enough to have another baby I hope I will be able to be part of the CoMC team again. It was invaluable in helping me have an amazing pregnancy and birth. 

I refused all sweeps and went into labour naturally, delivering at 40+5 weeks.