"The staff on the Rowan ward are heroines in my eyes"

In September, I had my baby boy in Kettering general. He was 42 weeks exactly, 2 weeks over due. Before I start I just want to you know I have an irrational fear of hospitals, I don't show my fear but it's there! They terrify me. I was booked in on the Tuesday at 8am, I was dreading it but as I was ready to get the baby out as 42 weeks feels like a life time. I was given something to induce me which didn't do anything at all, I spent the entire night wide awake due to the women next to me being in labour! The nurses were rushing in and out reassuring the lady but waking me up at the same time.

Wednesday morning I was assessed and given a second pessary which starrted contractions off pretty fast, my husband was allowed to stay with me throughout the day and night which I was most grateful for. Around 3am things got far more painful and I asked for some painkillers (I'd previously been given paracetamol which didn't touch the sides) after being assessed I was given some painkillers which allowed me to sleep for an hour or so. The MW who gave it me wasn't that nice to me, she was very short with me and I felt like a burden. I later found out she had been working since the day before so all was forgiven. I was a little touchy due to being tired, in pain and scared.

The next morning I was being assessed and my favourite MW came in with a massive smile saying my waters would be broke today, she knew just how much I wanted to go home. 5 minutes after they left my waters broke naturally! My husband got them back in and I was assessed again. I was 2-3 cm gone. The wonderful MW did not leave my side while I was on the ward, I was begging for an epidural, which they all knew I wanted and I was assured I would get one but I'd have to be on the labour ward but I was told I wasn't ready yet. A couple of hours later I felt the urge to push and the MW assessed me and within minutes I was rushed downstairs to the labour ward where I met the lady who wound deliver my baby. As soon as I got in the room I asked for an epidural and I was told I was 9. 5cms gone and that it was too late... Well by this point I wasn't thinking straight and didn't care too much. Within an hour and half my baby boy was in my arms. I found out that they had had three times the amount of deliveries overnight and I was kept upstairs in a room with 3 other women while they had visitors for their newborns with only a curtain seperating us until 9. 5cm with no pain relief because there was no room on the labour ward.

Now you may think I was disgruntled but I was far from that. These nurses and midwives had been rushed off their feet and working very long hours and one of them didn't leave my side! She kept telling me how amazing I was doing, when I felt hopeless she reminded me that this is what my body is made for, I was always covered and felt dignified.

I've never been more grateful to the NHS. The staff on the Rowan ward are heroines in my eyes, rushed off their feet and doing their best given the resources they have.

I requested to be discharged the same day because as I mentioned before I don't do hospitals! And it was accommodated for me and to my delight my favourite MW popped down to see me. I gave her a massive hug and she apologised for me not getting my epidural and explained if she had told me the situation during labour I would have only panicked. She was right and dealt with my situation perfectly.

If you're booked into have your baby here I assure you you're in great hands, no matter the situation! The only downside to all of this is that the MW/nurses deserve better resources, pay and recognition. Thank you x