"My Birth experience at Forth Valley Royal"

I was recently an inpatient for 5 days within the maternity section of forth valley royal while having my little boy. I was induced 2 days before my due date due to an increase in reduced movements, after a rough couple of days during the inducement period in Ward 8 I finally went into labour on my official due date however complications arrived and unfortunately baby showed signs of meconium when my waters broke, I was taken to the labour ward and began labour with continuous monitoring.

Unfortunately being a staff nurse myself I know I am probably not the kind of patient everyone wants and appreciate the difficulty and subconcious pressure that it can cause having to care for other health care professionals.

My midwife in Ward 7 over night on the due date was Named Lucy and she truly was an angel, a total godsend to me and I will be forever greatful for her care she gave me and my little boy during the worst night of not only my life but my families life. The night is still a blur to me but from what I can remember My babies heart rate began to show signs of distress and unfortunately I was taken for an emergency caesarean section, I remember being wheeled into theatre thinking I was Lucy's only patient that night and I was probably causing more bother than everyone else put together, she made sure I understood what was happening, and ensured I didn't feel alone. I was given a general anaesthetic for the procedure so my birthing parent couldn't come with me into theatre but Lucy made sure I didn't feel alone, in fact everyone in that theatre room was nothing but kind and I can remember so clearly the anaesthetic nurse holding my hand as I was drifting off to sleep, it really is the little things that matter.

As if my night couldn't get any worse, due to complications I was given a specific drug to put me to sleep faster I think again this is all still a blur, however I took a reaction to this medicine and when the time came for me to wake up unfortunately I wasn't able to which resulted in me spending the first 10-12 hours of my son's life in intensive care. Dr Claire I'm sure her name was was my main anesthesiologist and I remember her being so kind and understanding when first discussing the section with me, I remember her explaining everything to me during theatre and most of all I remember feeling safe in her care, there are not enough words in the world to explain how thankful I am for her care during the time I was unconscious from the medication and ventilated in intensive care, even when I woke up in intensive care she was there and came back numerous times to give me a debrief on what happened as well as making sure I was simply alright.

My parents live far away and I have no family in Scotland so Claire had to ring my parents to explain what was happening and I know as a health care professional how difficult that is so I can't thank you enough for keeping them in the loop, the reaction I took is genetic and I have a big sister as well so even Claire taking the time to advise me and my family that this was genetic meant to much to us, it really is the little things.

The staff in intensive care looking after me where also nothing short of amazing, there where 2 nurses on the night shift one called Claire and unfortunately I cannot remember the other nurses name but I do remember her telling me she worked some shifts in the same hospital where I work, they where both nothing short of excellent and when I was coming round and had actually rang the maternity unit to ask them to bring my son and birthing partner to me, I will be enternally grateful and in debt to them and Lucy the midwife for that moment that I will never forget as without them worst case scenario it might never have happened.

The nurse that took over my care in the morning, Vivienne from intensive care again was incredibly attentive and I have so many thanks to give to her as she aided my recovery and encouraged me on my feet sooner which in turn meant I was able to be discharged home with my son faster. She allowed me to use the phone to contact my birthing partner and rang the maternity unit for regular updates on my son, something she didn't have to do but done without even being asked.

When I eventually went back to the maternity unit again the midwives where excellent everyone was shocked to see me on my feet and looking so well so fast but I definitely have the ITU nurses to thank for that. When transferred back to ward 8 for my overnight stay again the midwives on shift where all so kind and attentive, due to My stay at the antenatal part of the ward a lot of the midwives knew me so it was nice for them to meet my son as well after the birth, the day I was discharged that afternoon the midwife that took over my care was excellent, unfortunately I'm not 100% sure of her name but I think it was Lesley, she had nursed me during my induction and ensured when the doctors cleared my discharge I had all the information I need, she was so kind and made me feel so at ease after my terrible ordeal no more than 36 hours previous.

This was my first experience as an inpatient in hospital and after doing my nursing training in forth valley I can say the standard of care I received as a patient was excellent, I will be eternally grateful and thankful to all staff that cared for me and my son and family during the worst and best time of my life but in particular Lucy, Dr Claire and, the 3 ITU nurses, there are no words to describe how incredible these people where and I will never forget this experience and importantly how safe they made me feel during a time in my life where mine and my families world was turned upside down.

Thank you doesn't even begin to cover it.