"Amazing experience from someone who wanted a home birth"

I had been planning a home birth but was unfortunately diagnosed and admitted to RAH maternity with preeclampsia at 35 weeks pregnant. 

As someone who did not want to be in hospital at all, I can say that the staff at the RAH - particularly in labour & delivery - made the experience as wonderful as it possibly could have been. 

There were some frustrations as I was waiting around for over a week as an inpatient to be induced (various doctors seemed to have differing opinions on how urgent it was to get baby out but honestly I was happy to let her stay in for as long as possible). However, once the induction process commenced everything went relatively smoothly and the midwives who delivered our baby were so incredibly supportive and kind. I had a very quick and pain free recovery and I feel that it was thanks at least in part to the support of those midwives during delivery. I left feeling very positive about my birth experience. 

The postnatal care I received was also amazing - because baby was early I did have some difficulty with getting breastfeeding started and the midwives and support workers were so supportive and helpful. The feeding specialist came around daily to see how I was getting on and give helpful advice which was really great.

There was also another support worker who shared her experience of breastfeeding with premature babies with me during a difficult night of pumping with very little success, that really motivated me to keep going and I will always be incredibly grateful for that.

I am currently breastfeeding my 11 week old with no issues and I don't think that would have been the case without the amazing support I received while I was there.