"From labour to postnatal to NICU"

I have debated over posting this for a few months but felt it important to do so, even if only for myself. I had my 2nd baby in Altnagelvin in April. The labour itself ended up being very quick after presenting at FAU for a second time (had gone home previous day as hadn’t progressed enough).

In the labour ward I had Cara who was super and so reassuring, she however had to go on her break and I had another midwife and a student midwife with me. I was in considerable pain and was asking for pain relief, however due to how quickly my daughter arrived the anaethesist arrived in the room as my daughter was being born. Due to needing stitches I was taken to theatre and everyone was brilliant there. 

Postnatally I felt well and was excited to get home to my son and even asked the midwife Ciara in the postnatal ward if we could go home later that day if all was well. She said she would try her best. I cannot thank Ciara enough for how diligent she was as I truly believe without her being so observant the situation could have been much worse.

Ciara carried out routine observations on my daughter and quickly noted her respiration rates were much too high. She explained this to me and immediately called the paediatricians who came to assess my daughter and ultimately admitted her to the NICU. She was so caring and helpful to me in a time that was awful.

The sister of the ward was so kind and reassuring. I was especially teary as I was worried about going home when I was expressing/breastfeeding but wanting to see my son too. She told me not to worry and that I would be there over the weekend and would see how things were come Monday when she was back on shift. I went to sleep reassured that I would be able to stay and visit my daughter in the NICU. 

The next morning was a completely different story - the deputy sister came in and told me I was being discharged as they needed the room. I completely understand needing the room but when I tried to explain that I was told I would be staying the weekend as my daughter was in the NICU, they were very dismissive and told me that no I would be going home.

I promptly gathered up all of my things and my pumped breast milk to take over the NICU, not having any idea how I would continue to breastfeed for my daughter if I wasn’t staying in the hospital as we live over 30 minutes away.

The deputy sister informed me that I was rubella non immune and would need an injection before I left. When they came to give it to me I queried why I would need it as I wasn’t non immune after my last pregnancy. They said they would double check my notes, to which I was immune and wouldn’t have needed it. On reflection I am quite annoyed that this wasn’t checked beforehand and would have meant an unnecessary injection I didn’t need if I didn’t query it myself. 

Upon arriving at the NICU (with all my bags!) they were surprised that I had been discharged as I was breastfeeding my daughter at this stage as she had her breathing tubes removed. They very kindly allowed me to stay in their family room for a number of nights to allow my daughter to room in and be fed by me while they monitored her and continued with her antibiotics. I cannot thank all of the NICU staff enough for all of the care and attention they gave to my daughter and my family during such a difficult time. 

Having told my story to family members since the delivery, it is clear it is a mixed bag and they encouraged me to share my story.