"Midwifery experience"

After our 12-week scan appointment in the Ulster, I was made aware that there was a midwifery unit in Downpatrick. The experience at the Ulster had not been a particularly great one, from the car parking saga to a member of staff who was rude and abrupt, I opted to move my care to Downpatrick. 

From the first appointment in Downpatrick I felt cared for and it was a personalised experience. All the staff were so attentive and helpful. Nothing was ran through too quickly or not explained. Unlike the Ulster, it didn’t feel like a day at the cattle market on consultant day/appointments. Anything I needed such as a new appointment or follow-up or sweep or vaccine was just sorted and arranged easily. I didn’t feel like another number on the never ending sheet like I did in the Ulster. 

My midwife went above and beyond. I felt special and cared for. From remembering my name, to building a lovely rapport and making me feel at ease through the whole experience. After the baby arrived I struggled with breast feeding and felt very emotional. She called to the house, rang and supported me through the challenges I faced. She really cared and you can tell she loves what she does. I love attending the breast feeding support group in Saintfield and wish it met more often. 

I only wish I could give birth in the Down hospital. My experience of birth in the Ulster was what I can only describe as traumatic. It has put me off ever wanting to have another baby. From waiting days and days to be brought in to be induced, as I was over a week past my due date, to sitting 48 hours after waters broken because there were no beds on the labour ward. 21 hours of labour to get 6cam dilated on the drip, when it should have been what I now know to be 1cm per hour, resulting in emergency c section. The whole time I was told I can still do natural birth and have the pool. Which was not true.

Less than 2 hours after the baby being born husband was sent home. It took over 20 minutes for call buttons to be answered and me helped with the baby, I couldn’t lift or move to get because of the surgery. I just know this would never have happened to me if the Down hospital midwifery unit would have still been opened and I had my midwife or any of the caring staff at Downpatrick on hand to help me. 

Breastfeeding - was also heavily heavily pushed. Which I wanted, but I struggled. Each time I asked for help, after what felt like a life time, someone different would keep coming and trying something different. It was confusing and in the end resulted in me expressing and bottle feeding. The midwives also wouldn’t let me have milk to feed my baby as he was crying out starving whilst I was trying to breast feed. I wasn’t giving up, I wanted my child not to be starving and become inconsolable which upset me in turn and made trying to feed harder. The pressure was at boiling point for me before leaving the hospital. I was at a rush to get home where thankfully my midwife and the midwives at the Down were able to better support me in my journey. 

Thank you to all the staff and midwives at the Downe hospital. You are amazing at what you do and go above and beyond.