"My pregnancy & birth experience"

In a time of such pressure & staff shortages throughout the trust, and where maternity care is under such scrutiny up & down the country,  it is important that as patients we feedback everything that is positive. To remind staff that although the pressures of the service are extremely demanding, patients like me appreciate absolutely everything that they do. 

Firstly, hypermesis began about 1 week after I found out I was pregnant, and I was admitted for my first infusion in the new hypermesis chair on Wynard, for an IV infusion.

After 12 weeks,  I almost felt like a permit resident in the triage unit. Every time I called, they assessed me, gave me appropriate medication and I was allowed home. If the triage wasn’t available I don’t know how I would have coped throughout the rest of the pregnancy because I was so poorly. 

This highlights the importance of this service and how the team running it always ensure each patient is assessed appropriately for the safety of pregnant persons & their babies.

On the build up to the end of pregnancy, where I had stopped finally being sick, I was monitored for pre eclampsia due to a previous pre eclampsia pregnancy. Despite being on aspirin, I was destined for pregnancy induced hyper tension. I spent every week in the fetal & maternal assessment unit (FMAU) being monitored for fetal movements and blood pressure to keep an eye on any spikes and potential pre eclampsia risks. 

After Christmas I was becoming more swollen, my blood pressure was ok but started to get higher as the week went on. I was worried about my babies movements so I was admitted to triage again. 

When the consultant admitted me I had a slight headache but nothing some pain relief could sort out. (Or so I thought). 

When I woke up on the ward the next day my BP spiked and my headache did not leave me. I tried everything to help me, all the pain relief I requested was given, I had cool patches on my head, dark room, lucozade, several DR reviews until I was crying with the pain.

Now this is where I’d like to highlight my experience, because Brooke was the midwife in charge who checked on me continuously and knew how much I was suffering. Eventually she admitted me to labour ward to have more 1-2-1 care. There we met Jenny, she was just starting her shift and she was stuck with me, but she is so kind, professional and approachable, once I had a magnesium IV drip for pain I was able to sleep and Jenny made sure I had everything I needed. 

After the consultant review it was decided given my BP, pain and for some reason the vomiting returned quite aggressively, that I would deliver my baby the following day. She was 38 weeks, so it made sense to not let me suffer anymore. 

I was so relieved to see Brooke again the next day who ended up being my labour midwife. She was so incredible, again, she was approachable, kind and very professional. No matter what we ( my husband and myself) needed she was able to assist us and all through the scheduled c section and afterwards Brooke was with us. I felt a sense of calm with her guidance and kind manner that made this experience so different from the last time I had a baby 9 years ago. 

I was sad when Brooke had to go home of course at 8pm! But we were handed over to the amazing Bonnie, who continued to care for me & my newborn as we were put on another 24 drip. Again Bonnie was kind, professional and she helped me whilst I was pretty much bed bound, constantly topping up my water, making sure I had everything within reach and passing me the baby if I couldn’t manage. Her care overnight put me at ease especially now the baby was here and I thought how will I manage when my husband goes home. But nothing was too much of an ask for Bonnie, I even managed to get some sleep. 

Bonnie handed me over to 2 midwives, one was training (Roxie) & I can’t remember the name of the midwife looking after me, but again they were both fantastic helping me on and off the bed and getting that dreaded catheter out. 

We were transferred over to the transitional care until on neonates for precaution of our newborn & there they taught me how to best breast feed and helped me care for my new born because I had major surgery I really did struggle without my husband's help.

Ed who was the obstetrician & his team, I was so anxious but they talked us through the procedure and made me feel at ease, Merlin the anaesthetist was fantastic & more importantly guided us through the process so we knew exactly what was happening. When the baby came out, he took some incredible photos of her with us in the picture and I can’t thank him enough for those special moments captured. 

 Last but not least, Annette community midwife (maple team) who has been with me from the start, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of me and my baby for the last 9 months, I can’t thank her enough for looking after us. She is a very special person and a huge credit to the Maple team. 

To every midwife, doctor, HCA & MA I’ve seen over the past 9 months. I have been so impressed with my maternity care & I can’t express how incredible this journey has been compared to my last pregnancy. I am grateful for the experience and the special memories of the birth of my little girl.