"Amazing maternity care! "

Saying thank you is not enough for the amazing care I received when giving birth to my first baby last month. I had a very long and painful labour and was in and out of the assessment unit for a couple of days before being admitted. I then spent a day on the labour ward and 3 days in the maternity ward so saw a number of different staff over that period. Each and every person - midwife’s/drs/healthcare assistants/students … everyone was so patient and caring and although being in labour isn’t at all dignified, I was treated with respect and dignity at all times. Although they were limited for what they could do with me in the early stages, the team really tried to keep me relaxed and comfortable and discussed what was happening and what to expect. In the end I had an emergency section (baby was fine but labour wasn’t progressing after so long) and they got me down to theatre within half an hour of the decision being made. Everyone in theatre introduced themselves and someone stayed by me and explained what was going on each step of the way and answered any queries/concerns I had. The only criticism for my whole stay was that when I went to theatre I was told my mum (second birthing partner) could see me and the baby after I’ve been to recovery. The doctor and midwife asked her to wait outside and they would get her when I was out. When I got to recovery I was then told that no she couldn’t see me but no one went to tell my mum that and she was left outside for over an hour worried sick as no one had been to see her. The help, advice and after care we got on the maternity ward was excellent. The first night when I couldn’t move properly I had to ring the call bell and someone came straight away … they were also very prompt with my medication; I had heard I might have to approach them for pain relief but that was never the case. We also had a concern with the baby’s breathing and brought it up with the midwife who kept coming to do regular obvs and called the paediatric doctors round to check everything was ok which luckily it was. I really cannot fault the care me and baby received and will be forever grateful to the entire team.