"The standard of care has been wonderful"

Having been sent to labour ward after a community midwife appointment at 36 weeks I was told that I had pre eclampsia and obstetric cholestasis. This meant that induction was recommended for that day. Labour was a little traumatic and ended in emergency C- section. I cannot emphasise enough how well cared for I felt. At every stage of a scary labour I was informed of my choices and given the best of care. The team of consultants, surgeons, nurses and midwives who cared for us were so professional and all took the time to introduce themselves and explain their role in the C- section. Dr Magowan was fantastic at coordinating my care and took the time to check in a few times after the surgery. 

Recovering from surgery and getting to know our daughter on ward 16 was an overwhelmingly positive experience. She arrived too early for us to have attended antenatal classes but all of my questions to the midwives were met with kindness and professionalism. The midwives and other members of staff on ward 16 were fantastic and having had a long stay I think I met the majority of them. The care and attention they paid our small family was very touching - special mentions to Joan, Audrey, Eilidh, Nicole, Alison and Camae, who we saw more than most and who really did go above and beyond to make us feel comfortable and confident. 

Two days after my daughter was born she was jaundiced so we were cared for by the Specialist Care Baby Unit. Once again the staff were fantastic, supporting us through every step of her treatment and making sure that I felt involved in her recovery - Lynne, Lorraine and Dina were so kind and thoughtful when taking our daughter's blood, setting up the phototherapy treatment, or bringing us the graph to show how the blood results would change the treatment. Everyone was knowledgeable and kind, spending time with us to explain exactly what they thought was causing the jaundice and how they were planning on treating it. Nicola was very helpful, explaining what we were entitled to having a baby in specialist care. 

Follow up appointments have all been quick and easy to attend with the doctors, especially Katherine explaining exactly what tests they were doing and why. 

Overall, the standard of care I have received at Borders General Hospital (labour ward, ward 16, SCBU and the pregnancy assessment unit) from everyone involved at every step of my pregnancy and as a new mother has been wonderful. I can’t recommend them highly enough.