"A Big Thank You to Labour Ward Staff"

I just want to say a big thank you to the midwives involved in my labour and birth at St. John’s hospital in Livingston. My daughter is now 6 weeks old but I still think about the care and dignity I was treated with throughout on a regular basis. I don’t think I’d have got through it without them.

I had Gillian and Elaine for the first half of my labour and then Kirsty and Beth (student midwife) for the second half and the birth of my daughter. All 4 of them were absolutely amazing and I felt so safe and looked after throughout my birth experience. Everything from the minute I walked into my room on the labour ward was explained to me (I was induced and had my waters broken on the ward) and dealt with in a caring and professional manner. Once I was on the hormone drip I was in so much pain despite the gas and air. I probably shouted at people at some point - if I did please know I am so sorry - yet I was treated with so much dignity and respect the whole time.

Thank you also to the anaesthetist (I’m sure his name was Simon but I might be wrong) for doing my epidural as soon as you possibly could, I don’t think I’d have managed without it.

My labour was about 12 hours all in, so I had two sets of midwives looking after me. Gillian and Elaine the day shift midwives - thank you for your care towards me from the minute I walked in and for tolerating me when I was going through the worst pain of my life, and for arranging for my epidural to be done asap.

Kirsty and Beth the night shift midwives - thank you for getting me through the later stages of my labour and for making me feel safe and dignified when things started to go a bit south (suspected infection during my labour, followed by an episiotomy and stitches as my daughter got a bit stuck at the last minute). Also thank you for the tea and toast that was provided to myself and baby’s dad after the birth, that was hands down the best thing I consumed during my 3 day stay!

I didn’t catch the names of the midwives who looked after me postnatally but a big thank you to them as well.

Special mention for Beth - you are probably qualified now as I can remember us having a conversation about your student career and how many babies you’d helped deliver so far - you will make an absolutely brilliant midwife and I’d gladly have you there again if I have any more babies. That really goes for all 4 of you - you are true angels, thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything.