"Can't imagine a better service from wonderful..."

My daughter Charlotte was borne at Stoke Mandeville on 2nd October.

The birth was induced and the labour started quite quickly. Charlotte needed help after a few hours of labour and we went into theatre for an assisted delivery. Our beautiful baby was borne near midday and we stayed for another night in the Rothschild ward to monitor mum and baby before going home.

Firstly, I would like to highlight the extraordinary level of care from the midwives at Stoke Mandeville. They mix utter professionalism and dedication with a touching human care and affinity with a mum and dad who were quite nervous and whose extreme patience and kindness helped us more than I can quite describe adequately. The midwives in the ward were all on the ball and attentive and nothing was ever too much trouble. We crossed two shifts during labour and therefore we had three midwives help us before, during and after the birth. A huge thank you to the midwives who were completely wonderful.

Secondly, I would like to commend the anaesthetists. Both for our epidural and then in theatre. They dealt with a stressed mum and dad with calmness and authority. Thank you.

We were introduced to the on-duty registrar and consultant. They were extremely professional and kept us in touch with everything that was happening. After a while we had to go into theatre and I suspect 9 or 10 staff were there to conduct the procedures. In summary - they handled everything so well, we are so grateful to have been in the hands of such professionals.

After a successful birth, we were looked after very well in recovery and back in the Rothschild ward. A huge thank you to the staff who help guide you through those first few hours with your child. Done with such empathy too. We had great advice and help whether at 4pm or 2am .... our sincere thanks to you all.

I guess the only thing I would mention would be that the "dads" have nowhere to really sleep and we have to walk to Asda (5 mins away) for any food. Space must be short - but I guess that it would be good to have some warning that facilities for dads were minimal. That said, the staff do all they can to make you as comfortable as possible.

So .... from the proudest mum and dad of a beautiful baby girl, thank you everyone from the bottom of our hearts. You at all wonderful and helped us so much. Thank you.

Mike and Jo Seabrook (and Charlotte!)