"Great care from community midwives and Rosie Maternity"

My wife has just given birth to our first daughter. We live in North Cambridgeshire, hence we have had a lot of contact with the community midwifes, as well as the Rosie Maternity hospital at Addenbrookes in Cambridge.

I was perhaps a little worried when we first found out we were having a baby as I had heard horror stories in the press about maternity services being under massive pressure, particularly in the East of England due to migrant workers, etc. So much so we considered using a private midwife. However I am pleased to report that we didn't engage a private midwife as the service we received from the community midwifes and the staff at the Rosie was outstanding. I could not fault a single aspect of it - all of our contact was very positive and very supportive.

We were planning a home birth, which everyone happily supported and encouraged, although in the end we had a couple of late issues (namely excess fluids and a concern over pregnancy diabetes from week 35 on - neither were actually a problem as it turns out). Anyway when Honey made an appearance it was 8 days early and we had still not had the clearance from the consultant for a home birth (as the GTT was not back showing there was no pregnancy diabetes), so we went to the Rosie.

As it turns out we would have been at the Rosie anyway, as it was a Meconium birth, so we would have been transferred in from home. Again we were both keen on a home birth as it would be more relaxed for my wife, so having to go to the Rosie was a little daunting for us. Fortunately we need not have worried as the Rosie were again outstanding. The delivery suites and wards were clean, modern, well staffed and well served by amenities. The staff were friendly and helpful, particularly the midwives and nurses, which made the whole process very calm and much easier. We always found there was someone on hand to help with questions, etc. and the midwifes were great at supporting Mum in breast feeding.

We even had some contact with a Consultant and a Registrar, in addition to the midwives, nurses and doctors, as there were some small complications late in the delivery (albeit again nothing to worry about). Even these contacts were positive, albeit brief and fleeting. They came to get Honey out as quickly as possible, they did that and due to time pressures moved on. This was not a problem as our midwife was there and was constant, hence we never felt abandoned.

Our follow up care in the past week has also been fantastic and at the right level, although we clearly understood if we need more than the 3 visits we could have got them by asking. All in all a very positive experience from start to finish and one no family should be concerned about going through. Something for the community midwifes and staff of the Rosie to be proud of!