"Mixed experience but mostly positive"

The care I received in the community pre and post natally was excellent including the explanation given about GBS treatment, the antenatal classes on labour and breastfeeding as well as being promptly referred for and receiving an appointment for a scan at 36 weeks when concerns were raised about my baby being breech.

The care I and my baby received during labour, delivery and immediately post delivery was also excellent from the midwives, anaesthetist and Consultant and I felt very well informed and taken care of especially when my baby needed to be delivered quickly.

I would like to give a special mention from the community team and the student during labour and delivery for their care, advice and support as I did not get the opportunity to thank them in person.

My criticisms are concerned with the supported provided on the ward, I was given conflicting advice about breastfeeding technique, found one of the midwives a little patronising when I was struggling to breastfeed, my concerns about breastfeeding dismissed and my baby finally being diagnosed with a tongue tie at 7 weeks. When we came to be discharged from the ward, after being told at 9 am that we could leave, we were finally discharged from hospital at 10.30 pm.

I would say that the support would have been better on the ward except the staff and department are clearly overworked and understaffed but overall a very positive experience and a department I would recommend to others and use again.