"Another positive birth experience"

I had another positive birth experience back in February when having my second child. Initially was worried as previous birth was able to happen at Causeway and it was daunting anticipating this one in Antrim. Thankfully though was antenatally seen by Caitlin from lotus team in Causeway throughout my pregnancy and postnatally; she was so caring, looking after us all. She answered all my weird and wonderful questions up to the birth and helped advocate for me when I had problems getting antibiotics for UTIs that I had often in pregnancy.

The hardest part when the labour itself did start was probably the journey up to Antrim, having to get family to come in the middle of the night for my other child and not sure if they would send us home despite me being sure my waters were starting to go. Once up in Antrim during labour we were looked after by Rachel in the EOU who was so lovely until a room was free on delivery suite. This waiting for a room wasn’t ideal as I had already made the journey in the car for almost an hour to get to hospital with bad contractions but she helped keep me calm and got gas and air to help keep me comfortable. I had to labour in this small busy area for 3 hours.

I was able to ask for a water birth and this was missed in translation so wasn’t ready when I arrived which I was disappointed at because by this stage I was in a lot of pain and wanted to see if the water would help. Laura was the midwife in the room I was taken to, who quickly ran the water in the pool to get it ready although she thought the baby was coming before I’d get a chance to use it. Cherelle another lovely midwife came and took over from Laura as her shift had finished along with a student midwife Fiona. Then Kirsty, another midwife from Lotus came on duty and both her and Fiona encouraged me into the pool which helped so much. The care during labour and delivery in Antrim was very good despite the travelling and challenge labouring in EOU. I was able to hypnobirth with headphones and an eye mask which all helped.

The postnatal care I had was mixed, most midwives tried their best but were clearly too busy and so I found this difficult. I passed numerous large clots almost 12 hours after labour which were weighed but each time I had a different midwife when I had to ring for assistance. Then had to retell what had happened to each new staff member. Eventually after night staff came on a registrar was asked to come to check that I didn’t need to go to theatre for retained placenta, at this point my husband was still in visiting thankfully and assumed he would be allowed to stay especially as I might have had to go to theatre. Unfortunately he was effectively ‘chased’ off the ward and literally less than 5 minutes later the registrar came to sweep my womb and I instead had to squeeze the midwife’s hand while she did so, instead of my husband's. This was disappointing and although I understood all other partners had gone home none of the other women had the potential for theatre which I thought could have been resolved by him staying a short time longer.

Breastfeeding was not fully encouraged on the ward; some midwives were querying how much in mls my child had fed and when I wasn’t able to say they were shocked and seemed not to understand and then I explained. One breastfeeding support staff member was so encouraging and helpful especially as she came just after I came onto the ward after delivery. Thankfully I was a bit more confident after feeding my first child for longer than 12 months.

I would like to commend all the lotus team, I don’t think they get enough recognition for support of breastfeeding and women centred care during labour too. They are amazing and I couldn’t/ wouldn’t want to do pregnancy or postnatal without them. Postnatally they pushed for my little one's tongue tie to be cut to help with the feeding which means I am still feeding 9 months on thankfully. From the late Annie who I know they miss dearly and was such a help to me postnatally to each midwife I have come into contact with within the team, they are fantastic. Thank you ladies! You are angels!