"Fantastic Maternity Ward Experience - Thankyou"

Anything else?

My wife and I have had both of our children at the Royal Free hospital. Both times our experience was outstanding. Last week we started induction and the maternity team was fantastic. I got to meet the woman who was looking after all the wards, and I can tell her team have a very strong leader. During labor room, we had our own big room. The midwives took great care of us and we felt supported the whole way through the process which lasted 16 hours. Unfortunately in spite of trying for a natural birth, we ended up in an emergency c section. I can't emphasize enough how lucky I feel we were to be on our doctor's watch. Her team took absolute care of my wife in theater and without going into detail, this was a case where my wife needed the very best and that's what she got. From the anesthetist to the other doctors, everyone spoke to us personally and made sure we understood what was happening. After the surgery my wife spent days in observation and was looked after by an amazing team of midwives and specialists. Doctors were constantly checking in, monitoring, and they all showed an incredible amount of respect, professionalism, competence, and genuine care. I'm in day 5 of spending almost every hour of the day in this hospital. I see how hard the staff work with us and others. I thought I worked hard in my job until this latest experience. These people love what they do, constantly go above and beyond, and when it feels like there is an emergency, every one of them stepped up when we needed them. The recovery ward we're in now is very well run and the staff here have met the high bar that has been set. Midwives have been constantly making sure wife and baby are ok and getting whatever medicine is prescribed. Our baby has needed to see pediatricians and specialists and I feel like not a single ball has been dropped. My wife has needed a lot of care and she's getting it, it's clear they want to make sure she's safe before she goes home. Even the cleaning staff make sure we're taken care of and are constantly asking if my wife wants a cup of tea or jug of water. Having 4 mothers with their babies in a recovery room can be noisy and I completely understand why people who can, go private. That said, this experience has reminded me that what really counts is the capability of the staff and their facilities, not a private room. I'm jealous of the parents I see who show up and get to leave after a day :) With our first child, I wanted to write in to say thankyou and didn't get around to it. Knowing me, if we'd had a routine experience, I wouldn't have felt compelled to figure out how to share my story. Instead today here I am, so thank you to the entire staff. It's not when things go right that we need to have the best. You all have difficult, demanding jobs and a lot is on the line. I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. The most sincere regards possible.