"Induction during COVID 19"

I was in for an induction at Wishaw general hospital on Wednesday night for my second baby and I just wanted to leave this here not only to highlight the work of the staff but for any other expectant mothers that may be nervous about going into a hospital to have their baby to try and put them at ease.

When I arrived I was shown to a 4 bed ward that was to be shared between two of us but I was then moved to a single room where there were staff available to start off my induction process while the other woman in my ward was being assessed. I subsequently stayed in this single room for my whole induction and labour. Firstly all of the midwifery staff that were looking after my needs were absolutely fantastic with several apologising for having to wear masks. All of the staff took it so seriously and took it all in their stride. I want to give a particular thank you to Lorna and Anne along with the two student midwives who were working alongside them Darcey and Emma. Lorna and Darcey helped me massively through the beginning of the induction process and immediately put my mind at ease. On the change of shift Anne and Emma helped me through the remainder to the birth of my baby. I unfortunately had a bit of a difficult labour and was nearly taken to theatre to allow me to deliver my baby and if it hadn’t been for Anne and Emma and the doctor Hilary that came in to help I wouldn’t have managed to deliver my baby myself without the need for any instruments.

My whole experience, while I wasn’t expecting a negative experience I was unsure of what my care would be like due to COVID 19, ended up being such a positive and wonderful experience for me and it is all down to the extra care and professionalism shown by all of the midwifery staff and I can’t thank everyone enough for making my memories of this birth into something positive.

My husband while not allowed in for the beginning of the induction was allowed in after my waters were broken and up to 6 hours after our baby boy was born which gave him a chance to bond with our baby before me and baby got discharged from hospital. 

A massive thank you again to all of the maternity staff at Wishaw general hospital for such a wonderful experience.