"An amazing birth"

I was induced at the delivery suite after my waters broke at the RVH Belfast.

We met our midwife Karina at the door and her warmth made us feel calm immediately. 

Karina made us feel at home and quickly began with fun lift and tuck exercises to get us relaxed as the drip machine started. She made an effort to get to know us and calm us.

After 12 hours and little dilation, Karina's positivity and exercises on and off the bed kept us going. 

Kim took over from Karina and was calm and brilliant too as the pain kicked in - giving us the option of an epidural which we said yes to.

Dave, the student anaesthetist came to check on me twice which was so kind even after his shift had ended to make sure the pain relief was working. 

Kim was so lovely. We felt like friends by the end. She handed us back over to Karina who started her next shift. They both really cared about us and our progress. 

Karina examined me and my baby had turned back to back. Karina managed to spin my baby by lying flat on my back and spinning my legs either side of the bed. It was easy and fun. She made us feel positive with no mention of theatre. I really appreciated her doing everything to help me have a vaginal delivery. 

After 1 hour she had successfully spun my baby and I was dilated enough to push. She helped me push with more fun and easy positions and showed me how to breathe. I felt so seen and cared for. 

My baby was delivered by Karina at 1 minute passed midnight. It was such a special experience! I will never forget it. Karina did an episiotomy that healed within 3 weeks.  My baby didn't have a single scratch on her face and after 24 hours of pushing her heart rate was perfect and she was perfect. Karina was incredible and we were so happy with how it all went. 

I was then supported by lovely and wonderful midwives at Johnson House in recovery and breastfeeding. Shan, Jemma, Joanne and Ashley helped me breastfeed my baby despite her being jaundice, sleepy and my nipples being very flat.

Along with Barbara who kindly came up to see me before discharge, they helped me not give up and were kind, constructive and warm with me and my partner, giving me tips and encouragement. They were so good to us. Barbara even rang me after discharge to offer advice and sent me videos to help with latching. She kept across my baby's weight gain at day 5 and encouraged me when it was going well which I appreciated. After a tough start to breastfeeding, baby is now doing brilliantly and putting on lots of weight. 

I had such a positive experience at the delivery ward and Johnson House and want to say a particular thank you to the fabulous Karina and the lovely Shan at Johnson House who discharged me with such professionalism, warmth and genuine care. 

I am looking forward to hopefully giving birth at the RVH again in the future and I hope more midwives follow Karina's lead with spinning babies and positivity when it comes to vaginal delivery at induction.