"A familiar face just makes such a difference"

I had my first baby in September 2023, and for different reasons I felt that the pregnancy, birth and my post natal experience were very challenging for me. With my second little baby, I attended the Continuity of Midwifery Care team at the Mater hospital in North Belfast. When I attended my booking appointment with Anna, I was asked how my experience was with my first baby. I couldn't really get the words out and found myself crying, trying to defend my feelings and how I felt it had been traumatic. Anna was brilliant. She, and other members of the team, helped me access my notes from my first pregnancy and helped me read through them, making sense of why certain decisions had been made. The CoMC model meant that I consistently saw familiar faces and began to build a rapport with the team. Each and every member I met along the way were excellent.

I knew I would probably be induced again with my second baby and I was extremely anxious. I was listened to and a plan was made with my preferences and the safety of myself and my baby at the centre.

I was able to carry my baby full term and at 40+2 weeks I was induced. Rachael from the CoMC team started my induction and followed through with what my preferences were. She was calm, and talked me through everything. I felt like she knew my history and respected my preferences. Aimee took over my care later in the evening. She was also phenomenal. She talked me through every step of the way and gave me quiet when I needed it too. I was able to birth my beautiful son in a way that gave me back some of the confidence I had lost with having my first beautiful baby. Both my husband and I agree that our birth experience was as different as night and day from the birth of our first baby.

I felt like each midwife knew my history so I didn't have to keep repeating it and ultimately I got to have an experience that gave me confidence and has really helped me. My own recovery after having my baby has been very positive and I think this is largely due to the birth being such a positive experience for myself and my husband. The other amazing benefit of the CoMC team is that they are the same midwives who came out for the post natal home visits. Once again, a familiar face just makes such a difference.

I really want to thank the team, especially Anna, Rachael, Aimee and Niamh. After years of trying for a baby, we now have two beautiful boys and I have been able to take back some of my self-confidence. Thank you so much x