"Labour experience"

I called the Labour Line after midnight to ask when to present as I was in active labour. I was told the birth centre was closed and the Royal was on divert to the borders. The midwife was very apologetic but explained that if I was to come into the Royal, I would not have a midwife to look after me. I explained my partner is a learner driver and it is an hour drive to the borders so this would not be an option. We then looked at taxis which would cost over £100 and decided this was our only option. The midwife called us back after speaking to the borders and explained they no longer had room and we would have to come to the Royal.

My anxiety was very high going into the hospital as I did not know what care my baby and I would receive. The midwives were amazing working with the staffing issues and limited space having only the Labour ward open. The care we received was great.

We were moved from labour ward to the birth centre for postnatal care and I stayed one night to receive support for feeding. The midwives came to help when I was breastfeeding, they were a great support and were always there when I called for help.

I’m grateful for the care we received, however due to staff shortages this created increased anxiety and I was not able to have a water birth as per my birth plan. We were told to have a birth plan and the options available to have a positive birth. However, I feel if the trust are not staffing safely to have the birth centre open then birth plans should not be recommended or they should communicate that there are limited options available.