"Birth of first child"

I was induced on the Saturday night due to reduced movements and slowed growth. As a young women and the reduced visiting with COVID, I was terrified. My daughter was induced early so I hadnt had a chance to have the birth plan talk and didnt really know what to expect. Beverly, the midwife on that night, was so patient and understanding and made me feel reassured during every examination and with the pesary and when she broke my waters the next night. The student midwife, I think her name was Jodie, was also amazing and a total beacon of peace when my mum/boyfriend werent there. She put my hair up for me, walked me through my pain relief options and totally calmed me down.

The only minor negative I feel I experienced was with my epidural and examinations, I feel I wasn’t listened to as much as I’d of liked. I did say a few times that the epidural wasnt working properly and I was in a lot of pain still, but because I had calmed down from before the administration of the epidural I feel it was brushed off. Some comments were unnecessary and made me feel quite uncomfortable, in a situation where I wish I could look back and have only positive thoughts. This lead to me being quite frustrated and almost uncooperative and it was really quite distressing. Although as I said, this was minor and I really cannot complain about the rest or consistancy of my care. I must add, Charlotte, another student midwife again totally took control of this situation and provided understanding, and I really felt like she genuinely cared and took an interest. Charlotte stayed with me throughout the rest of the labour, and even though she had to leave and deliver another baby, she came back and supported me and my partner in the theatre and afterwards.

In and prior to going to theatre, Dr Nicol was brilliant and totally explained everything in a way where I felt included, heard and considered throughout the whole process. Having an emergency section, and the recovery was quite scary and definately not what I expected but the staff continued to provide a high, consistant level of care that was second to none. There were far too many nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants to name but it honestly made a massive difference to myself and my boyfriend having such a strong support system.

After my daughter was born, we were moved to the neonatal transitional care unit as we had some minor complications and she was slightly early. This was very difficult to adjust to as it was so intense, but one nurse in specific, Ellen, made a world of difference. She answered every question I had, and never once made the many questions or queries about her care feel like an inconvenience. She listened, and honestly cared. Every nurse there was so considerate and I truly felt informed on my daughters care. I would like to point out, my requests were taken into consideration and followed as much as possible.

Overall, I had a really positive experience. Thank you to everyone in the Labour Suite at Ninewells, and Transitional Care. You all played a huge part in this life changing, empowering experience that I will never forget.