"Mixed experiences of maternity services at Tameside"

Antenatal Care: Excellent, cannot fault it one bit as i had blood pressure problems near the end of my pregnancy although i did get forgotten about once! I even stayed on the antenatal ward for a few days and the care i recieved was good.Thank you Dr Mahmood for keeping such a close eye on me and my daughter :)

Labour and Delivery: My midwife who delived my baby was amazing, really kept me focused on the job in hand and helped me through it when i felt like giving up. The only thing that annoyed me was when i rang up the labour ward to tell them i was in labour i was spoken to by quite an abrupt midwife who told me that as i could speak through contractions i obviously wasn't "far along" and to expect disappointment if i went to the hospital. 40 mins later i arrived at the hospital fully dilated. If i had waited any longer i would of had my baby at home!

I also had a severe tear and the surgeon was great, if only i could remember her name to say thankyou!

Postnatal Ward: Horrible. Was put onto the antenatal ward with my daughter at 5am, which can't have been very nice for the pregnant ladies, me waking them up as they had no room anywhere else.

I then got moved to a postnatal ward where i constantly asked for help with breastfeeding which i didnt get, water which i didn't receive, tips on how to bath my baby - again no help recieved. It felt like i had just been left alone which for a first time mother can be quite daunting.

The overall cleanliness of this ward was bad. Toilets had blood on the floor for quite a few hours. I discharged myself in the end, i was that unhappy. I knew i would be more comfortable in my own home with more support from my friends and family.