"In-patient care at Crosshouse Maternity"

I was admitted to the maternity unit at 19/20 weeks with a degenerating fibroid. 

Firstly, the attention and care I received at the Maternity Assessment Unit was outstanding. I could see that they were very busy and the last thing they needed was me turning up via A&E, but as soon as they realised how much pain I was in, they were incredibly attentive and couldn't have been more caring. I wish I could remember the lady's name because she was just lovely,  but the doctor was Andrew - they were both fantastic. 

I arrived into the Maternity Unit like a complete and utter riot, rolling around in excruciating pain, vomiting, sweating, then emotional and crying, just embarrassing really. I wish I caught the names of those first few midwives that had to deal with me  - I think there were two women with dark hair who were really brilliant, I think one may have been called Shirley and there was a lady with blond hair who was just so lovely. I was too distracted to get their names but they were all brilliant for putting up with me the way that they did. Efficient, professional and caring. 

I stayed for a total of 6 nights and I could not have been in better hands. The high quality care,  professionalism, compassion and more impressively, the consistency of the care across the team is like nothing I have ever experienced before anywhere. I have been an inpatient in several other hospitals and none of those previous experiences compare to this one. I appreciate all hospitals have their own challenges, so I am in no way criticising, but Ayrshire maternity services is a completely different league in my experience. 

An example would be communication during handover.....when new staff came on shift, you don't have to answer all the same questions and repeat yourself, they know exactly why you are there and what the plan is - from nurses to midwives to doctors - not once did I  feel like the left arm didn't know what the right arm was doing. 

In other hospitals I have experienced an old school mentality of chew you up, tell you off and spit you back out - the complete opposite was the case here. Although I was desperate to get home, it was nothing to do with staying in a hospital because the experience was so positive. 

Even under trying COVID conditions where staff are socially distancing, wearing masks all day long, having to put on a new apron and gloves, then wash and gel their hands - every single time they set foot in a room and they are in and out of rooms constantly - they still managed a joke and a smile. I honestly don't know how they do it, especially listening to our buzzers going off every two minutes! It would drive me insane. 

I would like to give a special mention to Lesley, Joanna and the student midwife with the blue and black hair. They each showed such a lovely caring manner, with incredible levels of  compassion and patience when I was at my absolute worst and I truly believe they go above and beyond for each and every patient. 

Also to the catering and support staff who managed to accommodate my gluten and dairy intolerance-sorry again about that. I'll miss the delicious porridge. 

For someone who is absolutely terrified of giving birth again for million reasons, I feel unbelievably reassured that I am in safe hands. In fact, I might even enjoy the experience which is something I never thought I would say. 

Hats off Ayrshire Maternity Unit 🙌

I couldn't be more grateful.