"Great birth experience at BGH"

I gave birth at BGH to my second child.

My community antenatal appointments were great, despite difficulties due to Covid. However it is a real shame the local midwife resources have been removed from our village and I had to drive 40 minutes for each appointment. I imagine it would be difficult for first time mums to have fewer appointments and could feel less supported, and for those who rely on public transport as it is sparse in our area and an appointment could end up taking a whole day. 

I called the labour ward on the day when things started and received good support in making my own decision over the phone with regards to when to go in vs staying at home. I felt supported and reassured at that point. Although I wasn't sure about current Covid-related guidelines and had to ask, it would have been good to have been informed at that point about the current rules for masks, partners etc. I had been told the most up to date information at my last antenatal appointment, but things change so fast I wasn't sure it would be the same.

When we went in we were welcomed and made to feel comfortable. I felt listened to, not judged or made to feel silly at all about any of my thoughts or preferences about labour or birth. I had a quick labour and gave birth within about 50 min of arriving. I was asked how I was doing at intervals in an open and unobtrusive manner, and felt I could ask for what I needed when I needed it. I'm not sure the midwife believed me when I said I felt I was progressing and the baby was coming, but she reacted quickly and appropriately when it came! A student nurse was also present throughout. Her presence was great, she was lovely, seemed keen to learn and in no way detracted from the experience.

After the birth we had plenty of time to be alone in the room with our new baby, for skin to skin, feeding and just being together. As the baby and I were both fine this was straight after the birth, the assessments and sutures were left a little while. My partner also got time for skin to skin while I showered. This was really special and probably the highlight of the experience for us both. 

We then went to the ward, as it was late and we live a good distance from the hospital we were given a side room and they had made a bed up for my partner, which was really appreciated and made all the difference.

It is worth mentioning I also gave birth to my first child at BGH in 2018. The experience then was also fantastic. The midwife when I was in labour was great, supportive and respectful. She was particularly confident (in an entirely appropriate, understated way) in what to do/not to do for me. I didn't need to ask for anything, she seemed to anticipate what I needed. I basically tried to replicate the atmosphere she created for my second birth! Later however, my partner had had to leave, late at night after being awake for over 40 hours and through a stressful and emotional experience, to drive over an hour home. This spoiled the experience then a bit as it was actually dangerous and he had to stop to sleep at the side of the road on the way. I stayed overnight the first time, rather than going home as early as I could have. I felt this made a huge difference as I could ask all the simple things I didn't know as a first time mum such as how to change a nappy, bath the baby, check the baby was latched on etc. Little things that could have caused a fair amount of stress if I was at home without that extra support initially. It was just a shame my partner wasn't given any consideration. 

Both experiences have been great overall. In particular, what makes it is that the staff have been friendly, helpful and respectful, at all hours. I would happily return in the future if a third came along!