"We could not have been better looked after -..."

My daughter was born at Royal Calderdale on 19th July and the staff could not have been more helpful, attentive and caring.

It was a difficult birth - being induced, having an epidural (I highly recommend it!), taking 24 hours from waters breaking and ending up needing a forceps delivery, episiotomy and developing a bleed myself. We were kept in a few days to make sure she was infection free and to help me recover and breast feed. At every stage the staff kept me fully informed and involved in decision making and really looked after me, my daughter (and my husband!) on the labour ward, the ward next to the special care baby unit and ward 9 afterwards.

They helped me through a big blood pressure drop and, when I developed a bleed in theatre, were extremely professional in dealing with the situation without losing the personal touch.

Little thoughtful acts were also really appreciated - toast and a cup of tea in the early hours when attempting to breast feed, sitting with me and helping me to breast feed, looking after my daughter for a couple of hours to allow me to recover more and sleep when exhausted, constantly telling me how gorgeous she is, running me a lavender oil bath to relax etc

The food was also great - particularly the mushroom soup and the cauliflower cheese!

I hope more people take the time to thank you for the work you do. It is all too easy to complain.

We will never forget what you did for us - thank you.