"Positive pregnancy and birth experience"

I gave birth by C-section in FVRH. I had fantastic antenatal care from the Rowan Team. I saw the same midwife at every appointment which was great for consistency of care. Jeanette (community midwife) was calm, kind and supportive of my choices. She answered my questions where she could and found out more info when needed. I felt very supported and listened to. I inevitably felt anxious at times during my pregnancy and before appointments but I always left the appointments feeling reassured and more knowledgeable thanks to Jeanette’s care.

My baby turned breech close to my due date. It was identified and acted on quickly. I was given choice at every stage of the process. I was offered an ECV which was unsuccessful so I chose to have a planned c-section. I felt that, if I had chosen to proceed with breech vaginal birth, this would have been supported too. 

My c-section was a very positive experience. It was calm and friendly in the theatre. The only thing I would say is that my baby was quickly taken over to one side and lots of checks etc were done. It was about fifteen minutes before I was able to have skin to skin despite my baby being healthy with no complications. If I were to have another section, I would want to be clear about what checks etc were being done in case some of them could be done later to allow for prioritisation of skin to skin. Once the checks were done, skin to skin was facilitated and I was able to cuddle my baby while still on the operating table. Staff checked in regularly to make sure things were going well but otherwise gave us space to bond as a family which was wonderful.

One particularly kind anaesthetist (I wish I could remember her name!) made sure to take lots of photos on my phone. They are amongst my most treasured possessions now and I wish I could thank her properly. 

On the ward I was very well supported to breastfeed and bond with my baby. I didn’t  feel rushed out the door and stayed two nights. My partner was also made to feel welcome and stayed the whole time.

Annie (midwife) was amazing during the nights. My milk took a few days to come in and my baby couldn’t settle. Annie provided kind, patient and practical advice, eventually offering to provide some formula and look after my baby for a few hours to let us rest. She was an absolute angel and made us feel so safe and supported during a really vulnerable time. She is an absolute asset to the team.

There were two students, Ciara and Orla, who also provided excellent care. I passed out in the shower the morning after the birth and they worked together to make sure I was supported in a dignified (as much as possible!) and kind way. Ciara reassured my anxious  questions with knowledge and wisdom, as well as appropriately giving examples from her own parenting experiences. I really appreciated that. Orla was so discreet and understanding when my family arrived to visit just as I had done my first pee post birth (if you know you know). Although they were still training, the care they provided was fantastic and I would have assumed they were qualified. 

My mood, health and ability to breastfeed were all so positive postnatally and I attribute much of that to feeling supported and genuinely valued during my experiences antenatally and in hospital.