"Maternity services"

Having had my first child 18 months ago at hintchingbrook hospital I can honestly say that my the experience of having my second child at Kettering hospital was a far better. With out argument Hinchonbrook has better facilities but we left feeling traumatised to the degree that even talking about the birth a year on was distressing. Both my labours have involved lots of medical intervention. The first - induction, epidural, emergency c section due to featal distress. My second, artificial break of waters, epidural, 2 very near trips to theatre for a c section and finally a forceps birth! So what made the difference.. The staff. At Kettering I felt included respected and empathised with. The midwives and medical team went above and beyond to ensure that I felt in control of my care not 'done to'. At no point did anyone patronise me or make me feel like I was being difficult. It's not a pretty unit, no en suits, rubbish hospital food and the Decore is 80s shabby chic but there's nothing shabby about the staff and at the end of the day that's what makes the difference between a good birth experience and a bad one.