"difficult delivery at maternity unit."

Anything else?

I would like to express my thanks to all the amazing members of staff that assisted my husband and I through what I can only describe as the most harrowing experience of our lives. On 25/06/2013 I went into spontaneous labour on the MLU and having dilated 3cm the midwives there were able to identify my son was breached. This had previously been missed and so they acted promptly in taking me to the CLU. My rate of dilation increased dramatically and I feared that I would have to give birth to my breached son without any further pain relief. I received calm and honest advise from the midwives and the consultants present. I was explained the pros and cons to both vaginal and c section births. I was greatly concerned however that there was only one anaesthetist on the entire unit and because he was in surgery I had to wait. This was an anxious time as I felt that I may have to give birth without an epidural. The other thing I found concerning was that it was apparent that the consultants and midwives had opposing views as to which delivery would be best. I was reassured by the midwife who stayed with me past the end of her shift to reassure me while I made the scariest decision of my life. I was taken for a C Section and the procedure was very successful. We had amazing after care and the Paediatric Consultant identified that my son appeared to be having a few difficulties breathing so he was taken to ITU where he was looked after by people I can only describe as angels. I was extremely keen to breastfeed as soon as possible and whilst I stayed on the Gloucester Ward the ITU would call up every time he needed feeding and I was wheeled down by staff on the Gloucester Ward to feed him. This was of great comfort and reassurance to me. It was apparent that at times the staff on the Gloucester Ward were overstretched and sometimes messages would be delayed and there was a bit of a delay in dealing with my requests for pain relief. However all the staff were caring and chirpy and never complained of being overstretched. I found that very refreshing. The Doctors and Nurses on the ITU were beyond words. They cared for my son as if he were their own. They looked after me and my Husband and Young daughter when they came in to visit. They kept us up to date and were open and honest about their concerns and proposed actions. Having carried out a chest scan the doctor had concerns about the position of my sons heart. He went beyond what we could have expected from him and arranged for a second opinion that same evening and within 24 hours my son was being seen by a specialist at the Royal Brompton Hospital. He was taken their by ambulance and was cared for the entire time by a doctor and a nurse. He was later discharged as all tests proved normal, yet in order to assist me further the nurse arranged for my son and I to spend the night together to make the transition home smoother all round. I am forever indebted to the entire team.