"Fantastic staff and care"

I just had to put pen to paper to express my sincere thanks and gratitude at the impressive, genuine, excellent level of care and sincerity my husband and I experienced during our first pregnancy and birth of our son Joshua born at the John Radcliffe on Thursday 11th June 2015.

I would like to make a special mention regarding my antenatal care which was performed by the obstetrician. Their practice, care and manner was superb. During my pregnancy, I had the worry regarding the management and attempted diagnosis of a bladder mass that was identified at my 20 week scan. The consultant was so understanding and during my appointments they really took the took the time to discuss all of my concerns and worries regarding the mass, in addition to complications of my medical history and that of my mother’s deliveries which resulted in the death of my older sibling days after her birth.

With the consultant's approach and patience, they eased my worries and throughout the pregnancy gave me the information I needed which help me cope and enabled me to change my mind regarding my initial preference of an elective cesarean. With their help and care, I realized that it was not necessary and actually posed more risks than I realized. Not only that, but they kindly took the time to notice when I had been admitted to the delivery suite and popped in to check and reassure me during my long 14hr induction / labour which was a result of having meconium in my waters when they broke. They also checked in on Joshua and I on the ward the day after the birth / delivery to make sure everything was ok. This level of commitment to my care and bedside manner really was really impressive and I just want to say this consultant is a credit to the hospital and NHS. I can’t thank them enough.

The 2 midwives that helped me during my difficult and painful indication / delivery were also excellent and I really feel that their words, encouragement and prompts throughout my difficult and lengthy labour definitely contributed to a successful outcome for both my son and I. We can’t remember their names but please pass on our thanks to them. My husband and I really appreciated how we were given a lot of quiet time after the traumatic delivery for quiet bonding time with our son. The level of care on the ward after the birth was also really good. As special mention has to go to the very attentive member of staff on level 6 who always kept us up to date with what was going to happen and when with the extra tests / checks that Joshua needed including coordinating these with the very kind person in special care. I would also like to mention a special thanks to a Snr midwife who was working the night I stayed in the ward. They really helped me establish breast feeding and without their firm direction, which I really appreciated and needed in my hours of desperation, I don’t think I would of successfully established breast feeding properly.