"Very relaxed and lovely staff"

This is my 2nd baby, I previously had delivered at good hope but the care was so poor I was left with mental health and almost losing my baby.

I had a planned c-section at heartlands and all my care was at good hope hospital.

We arrived at 7:30am the morning of the c-section, we where then all taken up to a smaller ward with around 6 beds in.

A midwife then went through all information and did some observations (BP , temp and position of baby).

The surgeon then came to introduce himself and discuss the procedure too.

Then other theatre staff came and introduced themselves which I thought was lovely.

We where the last on the list so was taken to the maternal ward and given a bay to unpack a little and relax until it was our turn.

When down in theatre the staff where all lovely and re assuring, I was even asked if there was anything they could do to help my nerves, I requested cold wet paper towels to put on my head to keep me calm, during the procedure.

I also mentioned I have a fear of vomiting so they switched the order of drugs going in to my cannula to help with this. I was told as much information as I wanted to know and a member of staff took our phones to take a picture as our baby was out.

Baby did need a little help to breathe and there was a pead team in within seconds and again staff where reassuring us the whole time, once all was ok my husband got to cut the cord.

I had skin to skin contact for the remainder of the procedure.

I cannot fault any part of the care I received from beginning to end.

The same midwife is in the theatre that was at the start of the day.

When up in the ward, staff introduced themselves and made me comfortable and put my baby close, told to buzz if I needed anything.

When I did buzz it was answered within minutes if not seconds.

They also fed, winded and changed baby for me as I was very tired and has lost a bit of blood.

Everything they did with me or the baby was fully explained and they gained permission from myself or my husband.

All the staff where friendly from doctors to midwives and health care assistants to domestics.

The ward was clean and fresh.

They only down point is the noise at night as we where right by A&E so take ear plugs and an eye mask.

I put one headphone in from my phone so I could hear my alarm and not disturb the other mums resting.

Not a stupidly long wait for drugs from the pharmacy either.

Over all a much more relaxed experience for myself and my baby was delivered safely.

Most importantly I was listened to by staff.

We left a card behind and they posted it out to us.